Key takeaways
Understanding the financial landscape of Stanford University is crucial for prospective students and their families. With tuition rates for the 2025-2026 academic year set at $64,890, it’s important to recognize that many students benefit from substantial financial aid, making the actual cost significantly lower. This summary highlights essential information regarding tuition, fees, and financial aid options available at Stanford.
- The total estimated cost of attendance at Stanford for 2025-2026 is approximately $91,400-$93,500, which includes tuition, fees, room and board, and personal expenses.
- Families earning under $100,000 typically pay nothing for tuition, room, and board due to generous financial aid packages.
- Over 60% of students receive Stanford Scholarship (grant aid), which does not need to be repaid.
- Students can utilize the Stanford Net Price Calculator to estimate their personalized costs and explore various financial aid options available.
Contents
- 1 What Are the Current Tuition Rates for Stanford University in 2025-2026?
- 2 What Financial Aid Options Are Available for Stanford University Students?
- 3 How Does Stanford University Compare to Other Universities in Terms of Tuition?
- 4 What Is Included in the Total Cost of Attendance at Stanford University?
- 5 What Resources Does Stanford University Offer for Managing Tuition Costs?
Stanford is known for academic excellence and generous financial aid. But it also comes with a price tag that can catch families off guard. Here’s what you need to know about tuition, fees, financial aid, and the full picture of student expenses for 2025-2026.
Families comparing Stanford against other elite technical institutions will find our Caltech Ranking 2025 guide a useful reference — it breaks down Caltech’s position in global STEM rankings and what its admissions standards look like, making it easier to weigh both schools side by side.
What Are the Current Tuition Rates for Stanford University in 2025-2026?
“Sadly, I am getting nearly no aid tho and the costs are coming to around $72k a year and would be forced to take loans”
As of the 2025-2026 academic year, the undergraduate tuition at Stanford University is $64,890. This figure reflects a continued upward trend in tuition, consistent with peer institutions, but it’s important to remember that the sticker price rarely reflects what most students actually pay due to Stanford’s generous need-based financial aid.
In addition to tuition, the full cost of attendance includes required fees, housing, food, and estimated personal expenses. Here’s a breakdown of the current estimated undergraduate costs for 2025-2026:
- Tuition: $64,890
- Mandatory Fees: $1,995
- Room and Board: $20,475
- Books and Supplies: ~$1,350
- Personal Expenses: ~$2,700
- Travel: Varies by location
Total Estimated Cost of Attendance: ~$91,400-$93,500 per year
Stanford remains committed to need-blind admission and meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students, including international applicants. For families earning under $100,000 per year, tuition, room, and board are typically covered in full by grants. Even families earning up to $150,000 may qualify for significant aid.
Graduate and professional program tuition varies by school and program. For example:
- Graduate School of Business (MBA): ~$84,000 per year
- School of Law (JD): ~$77,000 per year
- School of Engineering (MS/PhD): ~$64,890 (same base tuition), often fully funded for PhD students
Students can estimate their personalized cost using the Stanford Net Price Calculator.
How Much Are the Undergraduate Charges?
The cost of attending Stanford in 2025–2026 is high—over $90,000 a year at full price—but most students don’t pay that amount. Here’s the breakdown before financial aid:
- Tuition: $64,890
- Fees: About $1,995
- Room and board: Around $20,475 (varies by housing/dining plan)
- Books and supplies: Around $1,350
- Personal expenses: About $2,700
- Travel: Depends on where you live
Total: $91,400-$93,500
What Are the Graduate Tuition Rates?
Stanford’s graduate tuition for 2025-2026 depends on your program and how many units you take. Most standard grad programs cost $64,890 per year for full-time students (11-18 units per quarter), or about $21,630 per quarter. If you take fewer units:
- 8-10 units: about $43,260 per year
- Under 8 units: pay per unit, usually $1,510-$1,800 depending on the department
Coterminal students (doing a bachelor’s + master’s) start paying grad rates after 12 full-time quarters. Professional school tuition:
- MBA (Business School): about $85,800 per year
- JD (Law School): around $77,000 per year
- MD (Medical School): about $67,000 for first-year students
- MS in Engineering: follows the standard rate but is often funded
PhD students usually get full funding—tuition, stipend, and health insurance—through fellowships or assistantships. Master’s students may get partial funding, depending on the program. Unlike undergrad aid, graduate aid is merit- or research-based, not need-based. Most departments review funding during admissions, so you’re considered automatically.
Are There Non-Tuition Charges and Fees?
Yes, Stanford charges several non-tuition fees that students should plan for in 2025-2026. These cover campus services, health access, and academic support. Most apply to both undergrad and grad students.
- Campus Health Service Fee: About $780/year, required even if you waive Stanford insurance
- Student Services Fee: Around $900/year, covers libraries, gyms, events, and advising
- Document Fee: One-time $250 fee for transcripts, diplomas, and verifications
- Cardinal Care Health Insurance: About $7,500/year, unless you waive it with other coverage
- Housing and Meals: For undergrads, room and board is about $20,475/year. Grad housing costs vary
- Course/Program Fees: Some classes (labs, art, fieldwork) may have extra charges
Stanford’s undergrad financial aid often covers many of these fees. Grad students with fellowships or assistantships may also get support.
What Financial Aid Options Are Available for Stanford University Students?
Stanford offers strong financial aid to make education affordable for all admitted students, no matter their background or income. It promises to meet 100% of demonstrated need for undergrads—including U.S., international, and undocumented students.
Stanford gives need-based aid only—there are no merit or athletic scholarships. Aid is based on your family’s income, assets, and household size. Here’s what’s included:
- Stanford Scholarship (Grant Aid): The main type of support, doesn’t need to be repaid. Over 60% of students receive it
- Federal and State Grants: U.S. students may also get Pell Grants, FSEOG, or Cal Grants (for Californians) by submitting the FAFSA
- Many aid packages include part-time campus jobs to help cover personal expenses
- Outside Scholarships
- Loans
Families earning under $100,000/year usually pay nothing for tuition, housing, or meals. Families earning up to $150,000 often get significant aid. Higher-income families may also qualify depending on their situation.
Grad students apply for aid through their department. Most PhD students are fully funded with tuition, stipend, and health coverage. Master’s aid varies by program and may include fellowships or department funding.
Stanford also provides:
- Emergency aid for unexpected needs
- Summer funding for unpaid internships or research
- Equal aid consideration for international and undocumented students
How Does Stanford University Compare to Other Universities in Terms of Tuition?
Stanford’s tuition for 2025–2026 is $64,890, putting it near the top among private U.S. universities—but not higher than most peers. For comparison:
- Harvard: $62,225
- Columbia: $72,032
- MIT: $65,850
- USC: $70,225
- NYU: $72,900
- UC Berkeley (CA residents): About $16,500
Prospective students who are also weighing a Princeton education alongside Stanford can explore the key differences in degree structure — including how course load and major requirements vary — in our Princeton Degree Options guide, which walks through the AB and BSE pathways and what each demands academically.
What Is Included in the Total Cost of Attendance at Stanford University?
Stanford’s cost of attendance goes far beyond just tuition. Here’s what Stanford officially includes in the 2025-2026 undergraduate cost of attendance:
| Category | Estimated Cost (Annual) |
| Tuition | $64,890 |
| Room and Board | $12,987 |
| Dining | $7,836 |
| Student Fees | $2,205 |
| Books and Supplies | $825 |
| Personal Expenses | $2,228 |
Mandatory student fees include campus health services, student activities, and technology infrastructure. Students living off campus will see different room and board numbers, but the other categories stay consistent.
Stanford also requires health insurance coverage. If a student doesn’t waive it, the Cardinal Care plan adds approximately $7,000 per year—charged separately and not included in the standard cost table. This makes the real total closer to $96,000 for students using university insurance.
Once enrolled, managing the full academic workload alongside financial responsibilities is easier when course selection is thoughtful — our Easiest College Classes guide outlines the types of courses that tend to offer more flexibility, helping enrolled students protect their GPA while navigating demanding programs.
What Resources Does Stanford University Offer for Managing Tuition Costs?
“Go in person and talk to the financial aid department at Stanford. Very generous aid packages are the rule”
Stanford provides multiple tools and support services to help students budget and manage tuition:
- MyStanfordAid Portal: Personalized financial aid information
- Tuition Payment Plans: Monthly installment options
- On-Campus Jobs: For both financial aid and non-aid students
- Financial Counseling: Through the Financial Aid Office
- Emergency Funding: Short-term grants for unexpected needs
Students can also schedule 1:1 consultations to build a financial plan that fits their goals.
Aspiring Stanford applicants who want to build a competitive academic profile before applying can explore the rigorous, structured programs offered through Legacy High School at Legacy Online School — a fully online program where expert instructors help high schoolers develop the depth of academic preparation that elite universities expect.
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Top Tips from Our Expert
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Maya Robinson, AP Program Advisor at Legacy Online School
Sources: Stanford University, Reddit
