Is Stanford University worth it?

Stanford, CA · private-nonprofit

Verdict

Typical students pay $13,807 a year after aid, graduate with $12,000 in federal debt, and earn $102,887 six years after enrolling — an estimated monthly loan payment of $128, with a debt break-even of about 1.2 years.

Net price / year

$13,807

Admission rate

4%

Graduation rate

Median debt

$12,000

Earnings (6 yr)

$102,887

Earnings (10 yr)

$124,080

Est. monthly loan payment

$128

Loan-to-income ratio

12%

Debt break-even

1.2 years

How Stanford University compares

MetricStanford UniversityCaliforniaNational
Net price$13,807$18,742$16,642
Median debt$12,000$10,028$12,377
Earnings (6 yr)$102,887$33,633$33,037
Graduation rate

FAQ

How much does it cost to attend Stanford University?

The federal average net price after grants and scholarships is $13,807 a year. That figure reflects what a typical student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the sticker price.

How much debt do Stanford University graduates typically carry?

Students who complete a program at Stanford University leave with a median federal debt of $12,000, based on the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.

What do Stanford University graduates earn?

Six years after enrolling, former students report median earnings of $102,887, drawn from federal tax records aggregated by the College Scorecard.

What is the graduation rate at Stanford University?

Graduation rate data is not currently published for this school.

Is Stanford University worth the debt?

Based on median debt and 6-year earnings, it would take roughly 1.2 years of 10% income allocation to pay off the typical debt load — compare that against your own expected major and career path before deciding.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.