Stanford University is one of the most prestigious universities in the country, attracting some 60,000 applicants each year. Part of the draw: The faculty features a stunning array of innovative and important thinkers, including 20 Nobel laureates and several recipients of MacArthur Fellowships (known as “genius grants”).
The educational demands on students are intense. But the hard work can be worth it: Stanford has a 95% six-year graduation rate, among the best in the country. The median salary of alumni a few years after graduation is nearly $137,000 — more than double the national average.
At the same time, Stanford is generous with financial aid, with nearly 70% of undergraduate students receiving financial aid and the average need-based package topping $70,000 last year. Parents earning less than $100,000 are not expected to contribute anything toward their student’s college costs, while those earning less than $150,000 aren't expected to pay tuition.
Stanford's Mission-style campus is a vast 8,100 acres, and most students use bicycles to get around. An NCAA Division I school, Stanford has a longstanding football rivalry with the University of California-Berkeley. Campus traditions include the Wacky Walk, an annual commencement tradition where undergrads, often dressed in costumes, strut into Stanford Stadium and celebrate their graduation.
