by our College Data Analytics TeamCollege Factual’s Best for the Money Rankings compare the quality of a Stanford degree with its cost to decide whether the school is asking a fair price. Here is how Stanford measures up.
Stanford is ranked #302 out of 3,211 schools for value nationwide, earning a value grade of F. Within California, it ranks #52 of 304 for value.
Among the majors Stanford offers, these rank best for value nationally.
| Major | National Value Rank |
|---|---|
| Other Engineering | #1 of 19 |
| Engineering | #1 of 19 |
| Cognitive Science | #1 of 37 |
| Psychology | #1 of 37 |
| Science, Technology & Society | #1 of 13 |
| History | #1 of 13 |
| International Relations | #1 of 115 |
| International Relations & National Security | #1 of 119 |
| Political and Social Sciences | #1 of 119 |
| General Materials Engineering | #2 of 43 |
Below is the detailed Stanford value breakdown: state and national value rankings, the real cost of a degree, and how the price stacks up against the aid most students receive.
Stanford University is ranked #1 out of #346 in California for quality and #52 out of #304 for California value.
Live in-state? You may qualify for a reduced price. Check the Stanford financial aid page to be sure.
Stanford University is ranked #302 out of 3,211 for value nationwide.
Based on our analysis of other colleges at similar price points, Stanford University is overpriced for the quality of education it provides.
Averaged across all students — those who receive aid and those who pay full price — a year at Stanford costs about $37,495. Over a standard four-year bachelor's program, that adds up to an estimated $149,981 for the degree.
| Amount | |
|---|---|
| Sticker Price (before aid) | $87,833 / year |
| Net Price (students receiving aid) | $13,807 / year |
| Average Cost (all students) | $37,495 / year |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $149,981 |
*The average cost weights the net price paid by aid recipients against the sticker price paid by everyone else. The 4-year figure assumes the standard bachelor's length; your actual time to graduate and price may differ.
Your price depends heavily on your family income and the aid you qualify for. See the Stanford net price page for a fuller breakdown of what you might actually pay.
What Stanford costs you depends on how much aid you receive, so few students fit perfectly into averages.
Here is how the estimated 4-year cost of a Stanford degree breaks down by aid group, against its national value ranking.
| Nationwide Value by Aid Group | Avg Degree Cost | Value Rank | Value Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students with No Aid | $351,332 | — | — |
| All Students | $149,981 | #302 | F |
| Only Students Receiving Aid | $55,228 | — | — |
| In-State Value by Aid Group | Avg Degree Cost | Value Rank | Value Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students with No Aid | $351,332 | — | — |
| All Students | $149,981 | #52 | F |
| Only Students Receiving Aid | $55,228 | — | — |
*College Factual publishes a single overall value ranking (the All Students row). The cost rows show what each aid group pays toward the same degree.
You can also see how the average net price at Stanford shifts with family income:
| Family Income | Avg Net Price / Year |
|---|---|
| $48K–$75K | $1,323 |
| $75K–$110K | $8,816 |
| Over $110K | $50,452 |
About 68% of Stanford undergraduates receive grant or scholarship aid, averaging $58,449 per year. Get more details on the Stanford financial aid you may qualify for.
College Factual calculates value by comparing the average Stanford cost of a degree against other schools of a similar quality. If the school is priced fairly for the educational quality it provides, it receives a fair ranking; if it is underpriced, it earns a good or excellent value.
Read the full Best for the Money Ranking Methodology.