Stanford vs Temple - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
These are two different admissions games: Stanford admits 3.8% of applications, Temple admits 80.5%.
The share of international students differs sharply: 13.1% (Stanford) against 4.4% (Temple).
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Stanford awards international students $85,424 on average, Temple awards $16,607.
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Stanford starts at $97,545 against $58,550 and ends at $20,266 against $40,717 (Temple).
The indicators describe a university as a whole, and your own course can sit a long way from that average.
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 80.45% acceptance). Stanford ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#2 vs #401-500). Stanford graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($124K vs $64K). Temple has lower sticker-price tuition ($40,144 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 Temple for: lower tuition.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Stanford is more selective (3.8% vs 80.45% acceptance); Stanford has a higher median SAT (1550 vs 1250).
Stanford graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($124K vs $64K); Stanford has a higher 6-year graduation rate (91.9% vs 75%).
Temple has lower sticker-price tuition ($40,144 vs $68,574); Stanford offers a larger average aid package ($77,279 vs $17,833).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Stanford | Temple |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #2 | #401-500 |
| Rank · THE | #6 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 3.8% | 80.45% |
| Yield rate | 79.9% | 15% |
| Median SAT | 1550 | 1250 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.94 | 3.42 |
| Number of applications | 60,646 | 40,817 |
| International students | 13.1% | 4.4% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $124K | $64K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $73K | $41K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $220K | $92K |
| Graduation rate | 91.9% | 75% |
| Retention rate | 97.5% | 83% |
| Median debt | $12,000 | $24,395 |
| Tuition · year | $68,574 | $40,144 |
| Avg. aid package | $77,279 | $17,833 |
| % of need met | 100% | 60.5% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $28,507 | $41,808 |
| Application fee | $100 | $55 |
| Enrollment | 18,121 | 29,637 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Stanford or Temple?
It's harder to get into Stanford. Stanford accepts 3.8% of applicants, while Temple accepts 80.45%.
Do Stanford or Temple graduates earn more?
Stanford graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $124K vs $64K.
How much is tuition at Stanford vs Temple?
Sticker-price tuition is $68,574 per year at Stanford and $40,144 per year at Temple.
What SAT score do you need for Stanford or Temple?
The median admitted SAT score is 1550 at Stanford and 1250 at Temple; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Stanford or Temple?
Stanford ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #2 for Stanford vs #401-500 for Temple.
Which university offers more financial aid - Stanford or Temple?
The average aid package is $77,279 at Stanford and $17,833 at Temple.
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