Stanford University acceptance rate, GPA needed and real cost

What GPA do you need for Stanford University?

Even with a 4.0 unweighted GPA, Admitly estimates a typical applicant has about a 3% chance, so a top GPA is expected and the rest of the application decides most outcomes.

The U.S. Department of Education does not collect high school GPAs, so Admitly does not publish an "average GPA" figure. Colleges that report one do so in their own Common Data Set.

Chances of getting into Stanford University by GPA

Assumes an SAT of 1520, the middle score for admitted students (tests are optional here). A higher or lower score moves these numbers. GPA is unweighted, on a 4.0 scale.

Likely = 80% or higher, Target = 30–80%, Reach = under 30%. Course rigour, class rank, activities and AP scores all change the estimate.

What families actually pay at Stanford University

Yearly cost after need-based grants, by household income. Sticker price is $90,711 a year including room and board.

Outcomes

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, checked October 29, 2026.

Common questions about Stanford University

What is the acceptance rate at Stanford University?

Stanford University admits 4% of applicants, according to the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, checked October 29, 2026.

What GPA do you need to get into Stanford University?

Even with a 4.0 unweighted GPA, Admitly estimates a typical applicant has about a 3% chance, so a top GPA is expected and the rest of the application decides most outcomes. This is an estimate from Admitly's admission model, not an official cutoff: course rigour, test scores, activities and essays all matter.

What SAT or ACT score do you need for Stanford University?

The middle 50% of admitted students scored 1510–1580 on the SAT and 34–35 on the ACT. Submitting scores is optional.

How much does Stanford University cost after financial aid?

The sticker price is $90,711 a year including room and board, but the average family pays $12,307 after grants. Families earning under $50k pay about $4,500.

What is the graduation rate at Stanford University?

92% of students finish their degree, and 98% return for a second year.

Colleges similar to Stanford University

• California Institute of TechnologyPasadena, CA · admits 3%
• University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles, CA · admits 10%
• University of California, Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA · admits 9%
• Harvard UniversityCambridge, MA · admits 4%
• Yale UniversityNew Haven, CT · admits 4%
• Columbia UniversityNew York, NY · admits 4%