Stanford vs Emory - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Stanford admits 3.8% of applicants, while Emory admits 10.3%.
Average aid for an international student is $85,424 (Stanford) and $54,457 (Emory).
The higher median salary ten years after enrolment belongs to Stanford: $124K against $80K.
Candidates with higher SAT scores go to Stanford: a midpoint of 1550 against 1510, a difference of 40 points.
None of these figures decides on its own; what decides is which course you want to be on, and on what budget.
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 10.29% acceptance). Stanford ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#2 vs #101-150). Stanford graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($124K vs $80K). Emory has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,056 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 Stanford for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose Emory for: lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Stanford is more selective (3.8% vs 10.29% acceptance); Stanford has a higher median SAT (1550 vs 1510).
Stanford graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($124K vs $80K); Stanford has a higher 6-year graduation rate (91.9% vs 91.1%).
Emory has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,056 vs $68,574); Stanford offers a larger average aid package ($77,279 vs $67,329).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Stanford | Emory |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #2 | #101-150 |
| Rank · THE | #6 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 3.8% | 10.29% |
| Yield rate | 79.9% | 40.4% |
| Median SAT | 1550 | 1510 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.94 | 3.84 |
| Number of applications | 60,646 | 34,614 |
| International students | 13.1% | 16.7% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $124K | $80K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $73K | $58K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $220K | $120K |
| Graduation rate | 91.9% | 91.1% |
| Retention rate | 97.5% | 96% |
| Median debt | $12,000 | $18,250 |
| Tuition · year | $68,574 | $68,056 |
| Avg. aid package | $77,279 | $67,329 |
| % of need met | 100% | 99.9% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $28,507 | $24,562 |
| Application fee | $100 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 18,121 | 15,179 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Stanford or Emory?
It's harder to get into Stanford. Stanford accepts 3.8% of applicants, while Emory accepts 10.29%.
Do Stanford or Emory graduates earn more?
Stanford graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $124K vs $80K.
How much is tuition at Stanford vs Emory?
Sticker-price tuition is $68,574 per year at Stanford and $68,056 per year at Emory.
What SAT score do you need for Stanford or Emory?
The median admitted SAT score is 1550 at Stanford and 1510 at Emory; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Stanford or Emory?
Stanford ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #2 for Stanford vs #101-150 for Emory.
Which university offers more financial aid - Stanford or Emory?
The average aid package is $77,279 at Stanford and $67,329 at Emory.
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