Stanford University Acceptance Rate & Admissions Data (2025-2026)
Every figure on this page comes from the school’s own Common Data Set (2025-2026 edition) and was independently verified against official sources.
#4
2026 US News Best National Universities
3.8%
acceptance rate
60,646
applicants
2,302
admitted
Stanford University Common Data Set: What It Values Most
Every college officially reports how much each application factor matters in section C7 of its Common Data Set. These are Stanford University’s own published ratings from the 2025-2026 edition, not our opinion.
Academic factors
Rigor of coursework
Class rank
Academic GPA
Standardized test scores
Application essay
Recommendations
Nonacademic factors
Interview
Extracurricular activities
Talent / ability
Character / personal qualities
First generation
Alumni relation
Geographical residence
State residency
Religious affiliation
Racial / ethnic status
Volunteer work
Work experience
Level of applicant interest
Writing the Stanford University supplement? See every current Stanford University essay prompt, with strategies.
Testing policy
SAT or ACT scores are required.
Studying Business at Stanford University
Stanford has no undergraduate business major; business-minded undergrads typically major in Economics or Management Science & Engineering (the Graduate School of Business is graduate-only, though undergrads can take some GSB courses).
Building a profile for Stanford University?
Stanford University rates extracurriculars very important in its own filing. Real internship experience is exactly that kind of signal.
Sources
Data reflects the 2025-2026Common Data Set, the most recent verified edition at the time of publication. Always confirm current requirements on the school’s admissions site.
Campus photo: Jawed via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0