Stanford University

Stanford University is a private research university in Stanford, California, located in the San Francisco Bay Area. It is one of the leading research-intensive universities in the United States, with seven schools and broad strengths across humanities, social sciences, engineering, business, law, medicine, education, and sustainability-related fields. Stanford describes itself as a place of learning, discovery, innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Private research university

• Founded: 1885
• Opened: 1891

• Comprehensive education and research across the arts, humanities, social sciences, engineering, natural sciences, medicine, law, business, and education.
• Strong emphasis on interdisciplinary research, innovation, and public-impact scholarship

• Institutional accreditation: Accrediting Commission of Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges / WSCUC.
• Stanford reported that WSCUC granted the university a 10-year accreditation in 2023 with no required interim follow-up issues.

• QS World University Rankings 2026: #3 globally
• Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026: =5 globally

• Seven schools on one campus
• Large residential campus with diverse housing and dining options
• Home to 21 libraries
• More than 600 student organizations / close to 600 recognized student organizations
• Major research ecosystem including SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and numerous research centers, labs, and institutes