About Stanford University
Stanford University, founded in 1885, is a private not-for-profit, four-year institution of higher education, located in the city of Stanford, California. Leland Stanford, a well-known entrepreneur and politician, and his wife, Jane, lost their only son to typhoid fever at the age of 15. Desiring to leave a legacy for all children in their beloved state of California, they established Stanford University in his memory.
Breaking from tradition, Stanford began as a co-educational and non-denominational institution. Today, the university continues to be at the forefront in research universities and maintains close connections to Silicon Valley. The school is known as a place of creativity, innovation, and discovery.
Distance education programs at Stanford University are supported through Stanford Online. Programs include graduate certificates, professional certificates, and master’s programs that can be earned completely online. Students anywhere in the world can learn from respected experts in their field, at a pace that works for their lives.
Academic programs resulting in degrees and certificates from the bachelor’s to the doctoral level are housed in the following educational divisions:
- Business
- Earth, Energy and Environmental Sciences
- Education
- Engineering
- Humanities and Sciences
- Law
- Medicine
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Accreditation & Licensing
Stanford University is accredited by:
WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
Type:
4-year, Private not-for-profitHighest Level Offered:
Doctor's degreeReligious Affiliation:
Not applicableGraduate Enrollment:
11,760Fully Online Graduate Students:
Not applicableMedian Debt After Graduation (4-Year Degree):
$12,000Average Undergraduates Receiving Aid:
66%Per Undergraduate Average Aid Award:
$58,449Yellow Ribbon Program:
YesOnline Programs offered by Stanford University
All Programs
Computer Science & IT
Criminal Justice, Safety & Law
Engineering
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Frequently Asked Questions About Stanford University
Is Stanford University accredited?
Yes. Stanford University is institutionally accredited by WASC Senior College and University Commission.
How many online programs does Stanford University offer?
Stanford University offers 27 online programs currently listed on GetEducated.
What degree levels does Stanford University offer?
Stanford University is focused on master's-level programs.
How should students contact admissions at Stanford University?
Ready to connect? Check Admission Details to get admissions, tuition, and timeline details directly from the school.
Is Stanford University expensive, and what are the tuition costs?
Roughly speaking, Stanford University falls into GetEducated’s $$ tuition tier, which points to a mid tuition range.
How quickly can I enroll at Stanford University?
Enrollment at any school can be a quick process; if all required admission requirements are met. This is where students can get hung up and slow down the process by taking too long to gather required documentation.
What should transfer students ask Stanford University first?
The first thing you must do is order your transcripts from any previous school you attended and have them provided to the new school immediately with the hopes of receiving an unofficial transfer credit evaluation quickly. In an ideal world, students would have an official transfer credit evaluation done prior to committing to enrollment at any school; however with the vast majority of schools, official transfer credit evaluations happen after you are already enrolled, typically in the first semester.
What GPA do most Stanford University programs require?
Most listed programs require at least a 3.0 GPA, with requirements generally ranging from 3.0 to 3.5.
Is Stanford University military friendly?
Stanford University shows Yellow Ribbon support. Check Yellow Ribbon eligibility before you apply, since program-level benefits can vary.
How can students request information from Stanford University through GetEducated?
Comparing schools right now? Request Information to get admissions, tuition, and start-date details sent directly to you.
What documents are most commonly required for Stanford University applications?
Most listed programs ask for Official College Transcript(s), Statement of Purpose/Intent, Recommendation/Reference Letter(s), and Resume/CV. Getting these ready early can keep the application process moving.
Does Stanford University accept life experience credit?
Stanford University does not show a school-wide life experience credit policy. Check Transfer Options to confirm transfer-credit options for your specific program.
Are Stanford University programs fully online or mixed?
Stanford University programs are primarily listed as 100% Online, which can help students screen for schedule fit before applying.
What kinds of online programs does Stanford University offer?
Stanford University has online program options in areas such as Engineering, Computer Science & IT, Math & Science, and Business; start with the field that best matches your career goal, then compare cost, format, and admissions requirements. Compare Programs to get program, admissions, and cost details before applying.
Are any admission tests required for Stanford University programs?
Some listed programs include GRE requirements, so students should check test expectations before choosing a program.
Do in-state and out-of-state tuition totals differ at Stanford University?
For programs with both totals published, in-state and out-of-state tuition totals are typically the same.
Do any Stanford University programs have state authorization limitations?
State authorization restrictions are not prominent across available programs, but students should still confirm eligibility for their state. Check State Eligibility before applying to confirm whether your program is available where you live.
How often can students start at Stanford University?
Start times per year typically range from 3-6 for most schools. For Stanford University, students should confirm the next available start date for their specific program before applying.
How should working adults compare Stanford University programs?
Working adults should compare program format, pacing, total cost, and application requirements before choosing a path.
What should students compare before choosing a Stanford University program?
Students should compare accreditation fit, program format, application requirements, total cost, and whether the timeline works with their schedule.
Featured Ranking Reports
Stanford University is featured in 2 of our ranking reports!
GetEducated continually compiles custom ranking reports to give you a complete snapshot of schools, degrees, tuition, and a detailed report on thousands of job categories throughout the entire education industry.
We provide these comprehensive ranking reports to you, for free. Click on any report below to learn more about how we ranked this school.
Geographic and Educational Overview
Stanford University is located in California
California at a Glance:
Top Majors in California:
Top Incentives in California:
- Cal Grant Program: Up to $12,570 annually
- Middle Class Scholarship: Up to 40% of tuition and fees
- Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan: Full tuition coverage
Top Career Pathways in California:
- Entry Level: Software Engineer ($95,000)
- Mid Level: Senior Engineer ($150,000)
- Senior Level: Technical Director ($200,000+)
- Required Education: BS Computer Science
- Certifications: AWS, Security+, CISSP
- Entry Level: Clinical Manager ($75,000)
- Mid Level: Hospital Administrator ($120,000)
- Senior Level: Healthcare Executive ($180,000+)
- Required Education: BS Healthcare Administration
- Certifications: ACHE, CPHQ
- Entry Level: Environmental Specialist ($65,000)
- Mid Level: Environmental Manager ($110,000)
- Senior Level: Sustainability Director ($160,000+)
- Required Education: BS Environmental Science
- Certifications: CHMM, PE