More selective than 99% of California colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
47% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 22% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose Stanford University over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
Stanford University SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, Stanford University is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 740 | 780 |
| SAT math | 770 | 800 |
| ACT composite | 34 | 35 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 1510 | 1580 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
Stanford University admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 4% | 740–780 | 770–800 | 34–35 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 4% | 740–780 | 770–800 | 34–35 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is Stanford University compared with other California colleges?
Stanford University has the 2nd-lowest acceptance rate of 92 California colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California Institute of Technology | 3% | 94% | $16,075 |
| 2 | Stanford University | 4% | 92% | $13,807 |
| 3 | Pomona College | 7% | 93% | $19,285 |
| 4 | University of California-Los Angeles | 9% | 93% | $12,548 |
| 5 | Claremont McKenna College | 10% | 91% | $28,849 |
| 6 | University of Southern California | 10% | 92% | $32,740 |
| 7 | University of California-Berkeley | 11% | 93% | $13,481 |
| 8 | Harvey Mudd College | 13% | 92% | $35,924 |
| 9 | Northeastern University Oakland | 17% | — | $25,181 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All California colleges →
Who enrolls at Stanford University
College Scorecard; IPEDS
Stanford University admissions questions
What is the Stanford University acceptance rate?
Stanford University accepts 4% of applicants, about 1 in 28. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 2,099 of 53,733 applicants were admitted.
Does Stanford University require the SAT or ACT?
Stanford University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 47% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 22% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for Stanford University?
The middle 50% of Stanford University enrolled first-year students scored 1510–1580 on the SAT and 34–35 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at Stanford University?
81% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (1,699 of 2,099).
Is Stanford University getting harder to get into?
Stanford University accepted 4% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 4% for Fall 2023.
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Stanford University overview