Stanford University SAT scores and admissions
Stanford, CA · Private non-profit · Doctoral / R1 research university
The figures above are the stored federal Scorecard snapshot, imported April 25, 2026. Its fields can cover different reporting years. Current university profiles below can describe a different cohort or applicant group.
How Stanford University compares
- Its SAT rank in the stored federal dataset is #2 of 197 US colleges with published SAT ranges in this snapshot and #1 of 5 in CA.
- Its 4% acceptance rate is more selective than 99% of the 197 colleges in the same ranked pool.
- Reported section midpoints skew 30 points toward Math (780 Math vs 750 Reading and Writing).
- Median earnings 10 years after entry ($124,080) are $61,014 above the $63,066 median across that pool.
What the numbers say about Stanford University
- The reported middle 50% spans 70 points, from 1510 to 1580. A planning score near or above 1600 gives you a target above that historical range, not an admission guarantee.
- The reported section midpoints are 750 Reading and Writing and 780 Math. Use the lower section as the first place to look for recoverable points in your own score split.
- The Scorecard snapshot reports a 4% acceptance rate. That rate describes a past applicant pool and should not be read as your personal admission probability.
- Reported outcomes include a 92% completion rate and $124,080 in median earnings 10 years after entry. Compare those figures with cost and program fit, not in isolation.
Tuition and outcomes
Source: US Department of Education College Scorecard. Documentation version September 2025; our snapshot imported April 25, 2026. Scorecard fields can come from different reporting years, and this snapshot does not encode one universal data year. SAT totals are rounded to the nearest valid 10 points. Tuition excludes room, board, fees, and books. Read the methodology.
How your SAT score lines up
The Scorecard snapshot places the middle 50% of reported scores between 1510 and 1580. This is descriptive data, not an admission threshold or probability estimate.
- 1600 SAT planning target: Above the reported middle-50% range, not an admission guarantee.
- 1580 SAT (reported 75th percentile): At the upper end of the reported middle-50% range.
- 1550 SAT (range midpoint): Within the reported range; not a measured median.
- 1510 SAT (reported 25th percentile): At the lower end of the reported middle-50% range.
Strong relative score
At the upper end of the reported range. Consider submitting if the current policy accepts scores.
Within the reported range
Compare your exact position, section split, and the rest of your academic record.
Below the reported range
Check the current testing policy before deciding whether to withhold the score or retake.
Colleges with similar SAT scores
Ranked by proximity to Stanford University's reported SAT midpoint. Similar scores do not imply similar programs, cost, or admission odds.
Scroll horizontally to view all columns →
| College | Location | SAT middle 50% | Acceptance rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Princeton University | Princeton, NJ | 1510–1580 | 5% |
| University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, PA | 1510–1570 | 5% |
| Carnegie Mellon University | Pittsburgh, PA | 1500–1570 | 12% |
| Washington University in St Louis | St. Louis, MO | 1500–1570 | 12% |
| Pomona College | Claremont, CA | 1490–1560 | 7% |
| Bowdoin College | Brunswick, ME | 1470–1550 | 7% |
Questions about Stanford University
What SAT score do I need for Stanford University?
Stanford University's Scorecard snapshot shows a middle-50% SAT range of 1510–1580, rounded to valid 10-point totals. 1600 is a planning target above the reported range, not an admission cutoff.
What is Stanford University's acceptance rate?
Stanford University's historical College Scorecard snapshot reports approximately 4%. This is a past institution-wide applicant pool, not an individual admission probability.
How much does it cost to attend Stanford University?
Historical published tuition is approximately $65,910 per year (excludes room, board, fees).
Is Stanford University test-optional?
The College Scorecard does not record testing policy, and this page has not checked Stanford University's current rule. Confirm whether it is test-optional, test-required, or test-blind on its admissions page before you apply.