Stanford vs Johns Hopkins - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Stanford awards international students $85,424 on average, Johns Hopkins awards $16,051.
The higher median salary ten years after enrolment belongs to Stanford: $124K against $88K.
Both universities turn away more than nine applicants in ten (3.8% and 6.4%), so the outcome rests on how well your profile fits, not on the admission rate itself.
On SAT scores this is the same calibre of applicant: 1550 and 1540.
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 6.44% acceptance). Stanford ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#2 vs #17). Stanford graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($124K vs $88K). Johns Hopkins has lower sticker-price tuition ($67,170 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 Johns Hopkins for: a higher graduation rate, higher retention, lower tuition.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Stanford is more selective (3.8% vs 6.44% acceptance); Stanford has a higher median SAT (1550 vs 1540).
Stanford graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($124K vs $88K); Johns Hopkins has a higher 6-year graduation rate (93.8% vs 91.9%).
Johns Hopkins has lower sticker-price tuition ($67,170 vs $68,574); Stanford offers a larger average aid package ($77,279 vs $67,159).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Stanford | Johns Hopkins |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #2 | #17 |
| Rank · THE | #6 | #16 |
| Acceptance rate | 3.8% | 6.44% |
| Yield rate | 79.9% | 47% |
| Median SAT | 1550 | 1540 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.94 | 3.93 |
| Number of applications | 60,646 | 45,895 |
| International students | 13.1% | 15.2% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $124K | $88K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $73K | $65K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $220K | $135K |
| Graduation rate | 91.9% | 93.8% |
| Retention rate | 97.5% | 98.1% |
| Median debt | $12,000 | $10,250 |
| Tuition · year | $68,574 | $67,170 |
| Avg. aid package | $77,279 | $67,159 |
| % of need met | 100% | 99.5% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $28,507 | $30,803 |
| Application fee | $100 | $70 |
| Enrollment | 18,121 | 30,210 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Stanford or Johns Hopkins?
It's harder to get into Stanford. Stanford accepts 3.8% of applicants, while Johns Hopkins accepts 6.44%.
Do Stanford or Johns Hopkins graduates earn more?
Stanford graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $124K vs $88K.
How much is tuition at Stanford vs Johns Hopkins?
Sticker-price tuition is $68,574 per year at Stanford and $67,170 per year at Johns Hopkins.
What SAT score do you need for Stanford or Johns Hopkins?
The median admitted SAT score is 1550 at Stanford and 1540 at Johns Hopkins; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Stanford or Johns Hopkins?
Stanford ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #2 for Stanford vs #17 for Johns Hopkins.
Which university offers more financial aid - Stanford or Johns Hopkins?
The average aid package is $77,279 at Stanford and $67,159 at Johns Hopkins.
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