Stanford vs West Virginia - 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, West Virginia admits 89%.
The larger international cohort belongs to Stanford: 13.1% of students against 1.7% (West Virginia).
Average aid for an international student is $85,424 (Stanford) and $21,636 (West Virginia).
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Stanford starts at $97,545 against $47,480 and ends at $20,266 against $30,750 (West Virginia).
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 89% acceptance). Stanford ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#2 vs #501-600). Stanford graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($124K vs $56K). West Virginia has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,608 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 West Virginia 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 89% acceptance); Stanford has a higher median SAT (1550 vs 1110).
Stanford graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($124K vs $56K); Stanford has a higher 6-year graduation rate (91.9% vs 64.7%).
West Virginia has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,608 vs $68,574); Stanford offers a larger average aid package ($77,279 vs $16,730).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Stanford | West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #2 | #501-600 |
| Rank · THE | #6 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 3.8% | 89% |
| Yield rate | 79.9% | 26.5% |
| Median SAT | 1550 | 1110 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.94 | 3.70 |
| Number of applications | 60,646 | 20,150 |
| International students | 13.1% | 1.7% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $124K | $56K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $73K | $36K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $220K | $84K |
| Graduation rate | 91.9% | 64.7% |
| Retention rate | 97.5% | 83.4% |
| Median debt | $12,000 | $22,500 |
| Tuition · year | $68,574 | $28,608 |
| Avg. aid package | $77,279 | $16,730 |
| % of need met | 100% | 63% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $28,507 | $36,010 |
| Application fee | $100 | $65 |
| Enrollment | 18,121 | 23,643 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Stanford or West Virginia?
It's harder to get into Stanford. Stanford accepts 3.8% of applicants, while West Virginia accepts 89%.
Do Stanford or West Virginia graduates earn more?
Stanford graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $124K vs $56K.
How much is tuition at Stanford vs West Virginia?
Sticker-price tuition is $68,574 per year at Stanford and $28,608 per year at West Virginia.
What SAT score do you need for Stanford or West Virginia?
The median admitted SAT score is 1550 at Stanford and 1110 at West Virginia; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Stanford or West Virginia?
Stanford ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #2 for Stanford vs #501-600 for West Virginia.
Which university offers more financial aid - Stanford or West Virginia?
The average aid package is $77,279 at Stanford and $16,730 at West Virginia.
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