Stanford University
Ranking, cost of attendance, the financial aid policy for international students, tests and deadlines, checked against Stanford’s own pages.
Check my chances at StanfordLast updated 4 October 2026Figures checked against official sources, listed at the end
Stanford University: highlights
Stanford sits in California’s Silicon Valley and ranks joint 2nd in the QS World University Rankings 2027. For Bangladeshi applicants the key point is financial: asking for aid is a factor in the admission decision, and you cannot ask for it later.
- After HSC: US universities do not set an HSC cut-off. Stanford reviews your whole school record, test scores, essays and recommendations together.
- Total cost: USD 97,545 for 2026-27, including tuition of USD 67,731, housing and food.
- Financial aid: Need-aware for international students; full need met for those admitted with aid.
- Tests: ACT or SAT required.
- Deadlines: Restrictive Early Action: 1 November. Regular Decision: Early January.
Key facts
Stanford University is in Stanford, California. Transcripts and teacher recommendations must be translated into English and sent by your school, not by you.
Stanford rankings
| Ranking | Position |
|---|---|
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | =2 in the world |
Cost of attendance
US universities publish one cost of attendance instead of a fee per course. These are Stanford’s figures for 2026-27, and they are close to the amount your I-20 will show.
| Item | Amount a year |
|---|---|
| Tuition | USD 67,731 |
| Housing and food | USD 22,944 |
| Student fees allowance | USD 2,610 |
| Books and supplies | USD 855 |
| Personal expenses | USD 3,405 |
| Total, before travel | USD 97,545 |
The same tuition applies to every undergraduate major. Travel between Bangladesh and the US is extra.
Admission requirements for Bangladeshi students
| Your qualification or level | What Stanford asks for |
|---|---|
| HSC or A levels | Completion of secondary school. There is no fixed minimum mark; admission is holistic and highly selective |
| Standardised tests | ACT or SAT required |
| School documents | Official transcripts sent by your school, with certified English translations where needed |
| Master’s and PhD Each graduate department runs its own admission, with its own tests, deadlines and funding. Check the department page |
Admission rates at this level are very low for every applicant, so apply to a range of universities.
English language scores
| Test or course | Minimum |
|---|---|
| English proficiency test | Not required. Stanford notes that fluency in English is a prerequisite for admission |
Stanford: yearly intakes
Stanford admits first-year students once a year, for the fall term that starts in August or September. You choose an early or a regular round.
| Intake | Classes start | Apply by | Open for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Restrictive Early Action | August or September | 1 November | Decision: December |
| Regular Decision | August or September | Early January | Decision: Spring |
Transcripts and teacher recommendations must be translated into English and sent by your school, not by you.
How to apply
- Take the required tests
ACT or SAT required. Book early, because test dates in Bangladesh fill up.
- Submit the application
Application fee: See Stanford’s application page.
- Apply for financial aid at the same time
If you need aid, ask for it in the same application cycle. Need-aware for international students; full need met for those admitted with aid.
- Receive your I-20
After you accept an offer and show how the first-year cost will be covered, the university issues the I-20 you need for the visa.
- Apply for the F-1 visa
Pay the SEVIS fee, submit the DS-160 at least 7 days before your interview, and attend the interview at the US Embassy in Dhaka.
Scholarships for Bangladeshi students
Financial aid for international students
Stanford University
- Policy
- Need-aware for international students; full need met for those admitted with aid
- Based on
- Family finances
- Apply
- With your admission application
- US federal aid
- Not available
Stanford is need-blind only for US citizens and residents. For international applicants, a request for financial aid is a factor in admission. You must state your need when you apply: students admitted without requesting aid cannot apply for it later.
View on official site ↗International students do not qualify for US federal aid, so university funding matters most.
Living costs at Stanford
Housing and food are already part of the cost of attendance above: USD 22,944 for housing and food for 2026-27.
There is no single national figure for the US. You must show funds that cover the first-year cost on your I-20, with balances built up over 6 to 12 months. The F-1 visa costs USD 535 in total: a USD 185 application fee and a USD 350 SEVIS fee.
What one year costs in total
The full first-year cost is USD 97,545 for 2026-27, before any financial aid. Travel and, where needed, health insurance are extra.
Work and careers after Stanford
Reputation
- =2 in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2027.
- Need-aware for international students; full need met for those admitted with aid.
Work while you study
- On-campus jobs for up to 20 hours a week during term on an F-1 visa.
- Off-campus work needs authorisation, such as Curricular Practical Training.
Stay after graduating
- Optional Practical Training gives 12 months of work.
- STEM graduates can extend it by 24 months.
Stanford: FAQs
Can I get into Stanford with HSC?
You can apply with the HSC. US universities do not publish an HSC cut-off: Stanford looks at your full school record, test scores, essays and recommendations. Transcripts and teacher recommendations must be translated into English and sent by your school, not by you.
How much does Stanford cost for international students?
The full cost of attendance for 2026-27 is USD 97,545, which includes tuition of USD 67,731 and USD 22,944 for housing and food.
Does Stanford give financial aid to Bangladeshi students?
Stanford is need-blind only for US citizens and residents. For international applicants, a request for financial aid is a factor in admission. You must state your need when you apply: students admitted without requesting aid cannot apply for it later.
Do I need the SAT or ACT for Stanford?
ACT or SAT required.
When is the Stanford deadline?
Restrictive Early Action: 1 November. Regular Decision: Early January. Classes start in August or September.
How much money do I need to show for the F-1 visa?
Enough to cover the first-year cost on your I-20, which is close to USD 97,545 before any aid. A financial aid award reduces the amount you must show.
Plan the rest
Official sources
- Stanford: undergraduate student budget ↗Checked 2026-10-04 · next review 2026-11-03
- Stanford: international applicants ↗Checked 2026-10-04 · next review 2026-11-03
- QS World University Rankings 2027 ↗Checked 2026-10-04 · next review 2026-11-03
- U.S. Embassy Dhaka: nonimmigrant visas ↗Checked 2026-09-29 · next review 2026-10-29
These are dated editorial checks, not a live data feed. Recheck the original page before applying or paying.
About this guide. Researched by the Student Visa From Bangladesh editorial team from the official sources listed above and last checked on 4 October 2026. We are not a university or a government agency, and admission and visa outcomes are never guaranteed. Read our editorial policy.