Houston vs Stanford - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Houston accepts most of the applications it receives (73.9%), while Stanford turns away the overwhelming majority (3.8%).
The more international environment is at Stanford (13.1% international students) than Houston (5.7%).
Average aid for an international student is $85,424 (Stanford) and $4,456 (Houston).
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Stanford lists $97,545 against $45,970 (Houston), but after average aid what remains is $20,266 against $29,520.
These numbers describe the cohorts already enrolled, not your chances; treat them as a starting point rather than a forecast.
Every sentence above comes from a field we hold in canonical. Where the data is missing, or the gap is small enough to be noise, the sentence simply does not appear.
EXPERT TAKE
Stanford is the more selective of the two (3.8% vs 73.92% acceptance). Stanford ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#201-300 vs #2). Stanford graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($124K vs $62K). Houston has lower sticker-price tuition ($27,926 vs $68,574 per year).
Both universities have complete, comparable data in canonical - the choice should come down to fit (campus culture, major, aid package) alongside the differences visible in the numbers below.
Choose Houston for: lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
Choose Stanford for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Stanford is more selective (3.8% vs 73.92% acceptance); Stanford has a higher median SAT (1550 vs 1240).
Stanford graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($124K vs $62K); Stanford has a higher 6-year graduation rate (91.9% vs 64.6%).
Houston has lower sticker-price tuition ($27,926 vs $68,574); Stanford offers a larger average aid package ($77,279 vs $16,450).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Houston | Stanford |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #201-300 | #2 |
| Rank · THE | - | #6 |
| Acceptance rate | 73.92% | 3.8% |
| Yield rate | 26.5% | 79.9% |
| Median SAT | 1240 | 1550 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.49 | 3.94 |
| Number of applications | 31,716 | 60,646 |
| International students | 5.7% | 13.1% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $62K | $124K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $39K | $73K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $93K | $220K |
| Graduation rate | 64.6% | 91.9% |
| Retention rate | 87% | 97.5% |
| Median debt | $18,194 | $12,000 |
| Tuition · year | $27,926 | $68,574 |
| Avg. aid package | $16,450 | $77,279 |
| % of need met | 55.1% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $21,819 | $28,507 |
| Application fee | $75 | $100 |
| Enrollment | 47,980 | 18,121 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Houston or Stanford?
It's harder to get into Stanford. Houston accepts 73.92% of applicants, while Stanford accepts 3.8%.
Do Houston or Stanford graduates earn more?
Stanford graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $124K vs $62K.
How much is tuition at Houston vs Stanford?
Sticker-price tuition is $27,926 per year at Houston and $68,574 per year at Stanford.
What SAT score do you need for Houston or Stanford?
The median admitted SAT score is 1240 at Houston and 1550 at Stanford; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Houston or Stanford?
Stanford ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #201-300 for Houston vs #2 for Stanford.
Which university offers more financial aid - Houston or Stanford?
The average aid package is $16,450 at Houston and $77,279 at Stanford.
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