If you’re wondering about the tuition fee of Stanford University in 2026 — whether for undergraduate, master’s, MBA, law, medical school or PhD studies — you’re in the right place. Stanford is among the world’s most prestigious universities, but that prestige comes with a price tag. That said: exact costs depend heavily on your program, course load, and whether you receive financial aid. In this article, I’ll break down the latest tuition rates across different degrees, explain what “full price” really means, highlight additional costs (like housing and fees), and point out how many students never actually pay sticker price thanks to aid.
How Much is Tuition Fee of Stanford University for Undergraduate in 2025–26?
For the academic year 2025–26, full-time undergraduates at Stanford University pay $22,577 per quarter.
Since full-time enrollment covers 12–20 units per quarter, most students take three quarters per academic year, which means the total tuition (before aid) adds up to roughly $67,731 per year.
As a reference point, a recent cost-of-attendance breakdown lists undergraduate tuition & fees at $65,910 (for 2024–25), indicating that costs have gradually increased over time.
Graduate & Professional School Tuition (Master’s, PhD, Business, Law, Medicine etc.)
Graduate and professional school tuition varies significantly depending on program and unit load. According to Stanford’s official 2025–26 rates:
- General graduate programs (most master’s or PhD): $13,770 per quarter for 8–10 units, or $21,180 per quarter for 11–18 units.
- Graduate Engineering: $14,660 per quarter for 8–10 units, or $22,562 per quarter for 11–18 units.
- Business School—MBA program: $28,585 per quarter in year one, and $27,485 per quarter in year two.
- Law School (JD / J.D.-type degrees): $25,818 per quarter.
- Medical School (M.D. Program): $23,221 per quarter.
Note: For many professional degree programs (MBA, Law, Medicine), students often complete multiple quarters per academic year — so full-year tuition accumulates accordingly.
What Does “Tuition Fee” Actually Cover — And What Extra Costs Should You Expect?
“Tuition fee” usually refers only to the cost of instruction (classes) — but attending Stanford involves more than that. Undergraduates and graduate students typically pay additional non-tuition charges including:
- Health insurance: Quarterly health-insurance costs (for those not waived) are significant.
- Campus services and mandatory health service fees.
- Housing and meal plans (room & board), which vary depending on your assignments and lifestyle.
- Books, supplies, personal expenses, possibly travel if needed. Stanford’s own budget estimates include books & supplies (~$825 per year), personal expenses, and sometimes orientation/document fees.
As one example, a typical undergraduate cost-of-attendance (tuition + fees + room & board + supplies + personal expenses) for 2024–25 was estimated around $92,892 for on-campus students.
Why Many Students Don’t Actually Pay Full Price
Stanford is well-known for its generous financial aid program. According to the university, families earning under $150,000 (with typical assets) may pay little to nothing toward tuition, room, and board.
Reports show that nearly half of undergraduates receive need-based aid, meaning that when family needs qualify, tuition increases don’t necessarily translate into higher bills.
In short: the published “sticker price” is useful for budgeting, but many students — especially those from modest-income families — end up paying much less.
What About International Students?
For tuition, international students pay the same rates as domestic students — there is no “international surcharge.” However, financial aid eligibility works differently. While Stanford is need-aware for international applicants, aid packages for international students tend to be more limited compared to domestic students. This means many international students pay close to full tuition — and must account carefully for living expenses, health insurance, and other costs.
Tuition Trends — What to Expect in the Coming Years
Looking at recent years, tuition and tuition-related fees at Stanford have gradually increased. For example, undergraduate tuition & fees jumped from $65,910 (2024–25) to a full-price rate of $67,731 in 2025–26.
Assuming a similar pattern, prospective students for 2026 and beyond should plan for modest annual increases. That’s why budgeting for the “full price” + inflation is a smart idea — especially for families paying out of pocket.
Quick Breakdown: Estimated 2026 Costs for Popular Degrees
| Program / Degree | Estimated Full-Price Cost (Year) |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate (full-time) — tuition only | ≈ $67,700–68,000 |
| Master’s / Graduate (typical 11–18 units) | ≈ $21,180 × 3 quarters = $63,500 |
| Engineering Graduate Program | ≈ $22,562 × 3 = $67,700 |
| MBA (Graduate Business School) | ≈ $28,585 × 3 = $85,800 (first year) |
| Law School (JD) | ≈ $25,818 × 3 = $77,500 |
| Medical School (M.D.) | ≈ $23,221 × 3 = $69,600 |
Note: These are rough “tuition only” estimates. Actual yearly cost may be slightly higher or lower depending on course load, credits taken per quarter, and whether summer quarters are included.
How to Use This Information — and Plan Ahead
If you’re aiming to apply to Stanford, here are a few tips based on the numbers above:
- Always assume sticker price first. It’s better to budget conservatively instead of underestimating costs. This holds especially true for graduate, professional, and international students.
- Check financial aid eligibility early. If you’re a student from outside the U.S., don’t assume you’ll get full aid — but still apply, because aid can make a big difference.
- Don’t forget living and hidden costs. Housing, health insurance, supplies, meals, and personal expenses can add significantly to the total amount needed.
- Consider scholarship, fellowship, or assistantship opportunities. Many graduate students in technical fields (engineering, sciences) offset large costs through research assistantships or fellowships — drastically reducing the net price.
Related Reads on Student Costs & University Life
For more on college finances and student life, you might want to check out these guides on our site:
- Harvard and MIT Tuition Comparison 2026 — explore how tuition fees vary across top UK schools and what that means for international applicants.
- MIT Living Costs Guide — a handy resource for budgeting housing, food, insurance and other living expenses while studying overseas.
Want to Double-Check or Learn More?
If you want the official numbers directly from Stanford, check out their Student Services “Tuition & Fees” page. For general cost of attendance and financial aid info — including what previous students actually paid — sites like CollegeTuitionCompare or the regular Stanford Fact Book are useful.
Good luck planning your academic future — with these numbers, you’ll know roughly what to expect, and hopefully avoid surprises down the road.
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