Stanford admitted 3.8% of applicants for fall 2025 (2,302 of 60,646, Common Data Set 2025-26). Of the 573 students who took a spot on the wait list, 57 were admitted (9.9%). Stanford requires the SAT or ACT for fall 2027. The middle half of enrolled first-years who sent SAT scores had 1520–1570.
The numbers
Applied
60,646
fall 2025
ACT, middle 50%
34–36
enrolled first-years
Average GPA
3.94
enrolled first-years
Accept their offer
82%
of admitted students enroll
Application fee
$90
waivers exist
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Can I get into Stanford?
3.8% of applicants get in
Almost everyone who applies is turned down, including many students with perfect grades. The middle half of enrolled first-years who sent scores had 1520–1570 on the SAT.
Likely: even the low end of our estimate is 60% or more, and the college admits at least 25% of applicants. Target: our estimate is 30% or more. Reach: our estimate is under 30%, or the college admits under 15%. Long shot: our estimate is under 12%, or the college admits under 12%. Estimates use the college's admit rate and score range plus your grades and scores. They are not a promise.
60,646 applied, 2,302 admitted, fall 2025 (Common Data Set).
Does Stanford need the SAT or ACT?Required
Yes.
Required for fall 2027. Plan to take the SAT or ACT and send your best score.
Checked on admission.stanford.edu Nov 5, 2026. See the source
Early rounds and deadlines
Restrictive early action is offered: not binding, but it limits where else you can apply early.
Closed
Restrictive early action
Was due Nov 1, 2026
57days
Regular decision
Due Tuesday, Jan 5, 2027
Early-round numbers: Common Data Set, fall 2025.
The wait list
669 students were offered a wait-list spot and 573 took one. 57 of them got in (9.9%).
Common Data Set, fall 2025.
What Stanford looks at
Counts most
How hard your classes were, class rank, GPA, SAT or ACT scores, essay, recommendations, activities, talent or ability, character.
Also considered
Interview, first in your family to go to college, A parent or relative went there, where you live, volunteering, work experience.
As Stanford rates each factor in its Common Data Set, fall 2025.
Questions people ask
What is Stanford University's acceptance rate?
Stanford admitted 3.8% of applicants for fall 2025 (2,302 of 60,646, Common Data Set 2025-26).
What SAT score do you need for Stanford University?
The middle half of enrolled first-years who sent SAT scores had 1520–1570. A quarter of them scored higher and a quarter lower, so it's a typical range, not a cutoff (Common Data Set, fall 2025).
Does Stanford University take students off the wait list?
669 students were offered a wait-list spot and 573 took one. 57 of them got in (9.9%).
Where these numbers come from
Admit rate and applicants: Common Data Set, fall 2025 (checked Oct 31, 2026)
GPA, early rounds and wait list: Common Data Set, fall 2025 (checked Oct 31, 2026)
Cost, pay and debt: College Scorecard, 2024-25 (checked Oct 31, 2026)
