Stanford University

In 2022, Stanford's tuition was $61,731 a year.

In 2023, tuition increased 7%–from $57,693 the prior year. Usually, colleges raise tuition about 3% each year.

Remember, the total cost of tuition isn't necessarily what you will have to pay to attend a school. Many students owe a lot less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are awarded. Additionally, student loans can make theactual cost of attending college more manageable until you're done with college.

Stanford University meets 100% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student at Stanford University is around $66,562 a year.

The average student debt for graduates in the class of 2023 was around $20,691 per student, not including those with no debt.

Does Stanford University Offer In-State and Out-of-State Tuition?

Stanford University is a private, nonprofit institution, so it has the same tuition for residents of California as it does for students who live in other states.

Public schools receive funds from the state to help them cover costs. These institutions offer reduced tuition for those who qualify as California residents.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state residency can cut the cost of college tuition. Be sure to confirm your state's rules for as an in-state resident. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. In many states, students must have lived in the state for 12 months before starting school to qualify for in-state tuition. There may be additional requirements as well, depending on the state you and your parents currently live in.

Explore other California colleges

Is Stanford University's Tuition Different for International Students?

Tuition at Stanford University is the same for all students.

International students usually do not qualify for for federal financial aid, but may qualify for private or Stanford University-specific aid and scholarships. International students who demonstrate financial need may be eligible for the following types of financial support at Stanford University:

•On-campus jobs •Loans from outsideStanford University •Stanford University-specific loans •Stanford University-specific scholarships

---

Stanford University Housing Expenses, Fees, and More

---

Tuition is not the only cost of attending college; there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Stanford University.

Room and Board Costs at Stanford University

Room and board at Stanford University costs $19,922 a year. This covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, plus a meal plan that allows you to eat in the Stanford University's on-campus cafeterias and dining facilities.

Board costs can depend on the number of meals you intend to eat on-campus

Cost of Books at Stanford University

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The actual cost of books and supplies depends on the courses you take and the textbooks, computer programs, or other materials are required.. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy books from students who have already taken the course.

Annual Fees

The majority of colleges also have fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

Keep in mind, there could also be optional fees associated with participating in special activities, like Greek Life, or playing on an intramural sports team. Many schools offer ways for students who may struggle to participate because of cost can get help covering these fees.

Transportation costs

The cost of transportation in college can really vary. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Is on-campus parking free, or will you need to budget for parking? Is the campus walkable? Do you plan to bring a car or will you need to use public transportation? All of these questions can drastically impact your estimated cost of transportation. Keeping in mind, first-year students are not allowed to park a car on campus.

The location of a college or university can also have a big effect on your transportation budget. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, transportation in a city is often pricey, but there may be more trains, busses or low-cost flight options to actually get to school. Stanford Universityis located in a suburb in California, near San Francisco and San Jose.

Other Costs

When budgeting for college, don’t forget to consider personal expenses, like entertainment, clothes, furnishings and toiletries.

---

Total Tuition and Expenses at Stanford University

---

Now, let’s look at the breakdown of all expenses, to get a better idea of the actual cost of attending Stanford University.

How Much Does Stanford University Cost?

What will the cost of attending Stanford University be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
Tuition	$61,731
Room and Board	$19,922
Other expenses	$3,150

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Total Estimated Costs
On-Campus	$88,358
Off-Campus	$65,286

The breakdowns above provide a good estimate of the total cost of attendance before financial aid and scholarships. Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

---

Stanford University Financial Aid

---

The majority of Stanford University undergrads use financial aid to finance their education. In 2023, 3,869 of the 7,645 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Stanford University meets 100% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $66,562 a year. Around 14% of Stanford University undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Stanford University graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $20,691 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$12,211
Stanford University-Specific Loans	$3,446
Private Loans	$39,653

Most Common Loans for Stanford University Students
Federal Loans	12%
Institutional Loans	1%
Private loans	3%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Stanford University financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Stanford University

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, Stanford University awarded 3,846 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $236.8 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $7.67 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Net Cost of Stanford University

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Stanford University students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Stanford University was $66,562 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Stanford University seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
On-Campus	$21,796
Off-Campus	$-1,276

Note: a negative number can indicate that a refund will be given to use toward other expenses such as housing, fees, and books. In such cases, be sure to reach out to the school directly for any clarification or questions.

What will attending Stanford University really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families get a better idea of the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Stanford University's net cost calculator on their website.

Stanford University Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Students cannot pay tuition in installments. Contact the financial aid office to verify this and discuss options.

Does Stanford Offer Tuition Waivers?

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to offset the cost of attending. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even if you qualify for a waiver, students are usually responsible for housing, meal plans, and other expenses.

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

Stanford University's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

For more information about Stanford University's endowment, check with the school directly. The school spends $104,781 for each full-time student enrolled.

---

Learn More About Stanford University

---

To learn more about Stanford University, choose from the options below:

Overview

Student Life

Academics

Admissions

Visit the College Confidential forums to join the conversation about Stanford University