Stanford University is a private university for research, situated in Stanford, California. It is a moderately sized university with around 17,000 students (7,000 undergraduate and 10,000 graduate students). Admissions are highly competitive, with an average acceptance rate of roughly 3.9%. Stanford is internationally famous for Engineering, Computer Science, Business, Social Sciences, and Humanities. Its six-year graduation rate is very high at 94%, and its graduates have superb career prospects with median salaries of approximately INR 1,10,00,000 (equivalent to $132,000) ten years post-graduation.
University of Oxford was established in about 1096 and is the oldest and prestigegious university in the world. It has more than 26,000 students, including a substantial number of graduates. Admissions are highly competitive, with a general acceptance rate of around 17.5%, and lower for high-competition courses such as Medicine, PPE, and Law. Oxford is world-renowned for Humanities, Social Sciences, Sciences, Medicine, and Law, and its tutorial system provides individualized, intensive academic guidance. Career prospects are top-notch, with average salaries of approximately INR 61,00,000 (converted from £58,000) at a decade after graduation.
| Stanford University | University of Oxford | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 9.3 Out of 10 | 8.9 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 3 QS World University 2026 # 5 Times Higher Education 2026 # 3 Center for World University Rankings 2025 | # 1 The Guardian 2026 # 1 Times Higher Education 2026 # 4 QS World University 2026 |
| Subject Strength | # 2 for Engineering by US News 2025 # 3 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 # 1 for Law by US News 2025 | # 2 for Engineering by QS World University 2025 # 3 for Data Science and Analytics by QS World University 2025 # 2 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 |
| Programs | UG Programs -48 PG Programs -37 Doctorate Programs -70 | UG Programs -22 PG Programs -43 Doctorate Programs -17 |
| Acceptance Rate | 4.0 % | 0.0 % |
| Exam Score | GMAT-630 IELTS-7 TOEFL-90 | GMAT-595 GRE-320 IELTS-7.5 TOEFL-110 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 65286 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 72420 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 34320 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 51763 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 37894 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 13680 Per Year |
| placement (average package) |
Stanford University is one of the top private universities in Stanford, United States. It is ranked #3 in QS World University Rankings 2023. Ranked #2 in Graduate Employability Rank
| University of Oxford is one of the top public universities in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is ranked #4 in QS World University Rankings 2023.
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| application requirements | Supplemental Form (for a few programs); | CBSE/ICSE/State Boards certificate with 85-95% (varies with program); 2-3 LORs; Personal Statement; Resume; Standardized test scores; Interview; Proof of English language proficiency; Additional Requirements (Work experience, Research proposals, etc.) |
| Campuses and B-Schools | Stanford Graduate School of Business | Said Business School |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 8.4/10 Read 4 reviews | 8.3/10 Read 10 reviews |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | # 2 for Business by US News 2025 # 3 for Business by QS World University 2025 # 3 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 | # 1 for Business by The Guardian 2026 # 2 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 # 5 for Business by QS World University 2025 |
| application | - | - |
| exam scores | GMAT - 738/800GRE - 327/340IELTS - 7/9PTE - 68/90TOEFL - 113/120 | IELTS - 7.5/9PTE - 76/90TOEFL - 110/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -135771 | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -105660 |
| documents required | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose |
| application dates | Jan 7, 2026 (Round 2 Application Deadline For 2026 Intake) Apr 2, 2026 (Round 2 Application Decision Date For 2026 Intake) Apr 7, 2026 (Round 3 Application Deadline For 2026 Intake) May 28, 2026 (Round 3 Application Decision Date For 2026 Intake) Sep 9, 2026 (Round 1 Application Deadline For 2027 Intake) Dec 10, 2026 (Round 1 Application Decision DateFor 2027 Intake) | Jan 7, 2026 (Stage 4 Application Deadline For September 2026 Intake) Mar 6, 2026 (Stage 4 Decision Deadline For September 2026 Intake) Mar 16, 2026 (Stage 5 Application Deadline For September 2026 Intake) Apr 24, 2026 (Stage 5 Decision Deadline For September 2026 Intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | Stanford University | University of Oxford |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1885 | 1096 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 6:1:1 | :1 |
| Male:Female | 48% Male, 0% Female | 2597% Male, 0% Female |
| Location Facts | The campus is located in the center of the San Francisco Peninsula. Settled on 8,180 acres of land, the campus is located approx. 37 miles southeast of San Francisco and approx. 20 miles northwest of San Jose. | A collegiate research university in Oxford, England; 39 Oxford colleges; located in south England, 90 minutes from London. |
| Library | With a network of 20 libraries, the Stanford University Library has a collection of 9.3 million volumes, nearly 300,000 rare or special books, 1.5 million e-books, 2.5 million audiovisual materials, 77,000 serials, nearly 6 million microform holdings, and thousands of other digital resources. | University has over 100 libraries. Bodleian Libraries include university’s main library and 30 other libraries across Oxford having over 12 million printed books and 80,000 e-journals. Also, every college has its own library. |
| Campus Life | Campus landmarks include the Main Quad, Memorial Church, Cantor Center for Visual Arts, Bing Concert Hall, Stanford Mausoleum, Hoover Tower, Stanford University Arboretum, Green Library, 31 Club Sports, etc. There are over 625 student-organized groups to participate in, eight dining halls to experience the food on-campus, 2 museums, and 25 student affairs offices. | University has over 400 student societies including Oxford Union (debating society), Music Society, Dramatic Society, etc. Two weekly university newspapers are published: Cherwell and The Oxford Student. |
| Hostel | #Rent(Graduate) - $24480 | #Accommodation - $9900 |
| Famous Alumni | Presently, there are more than 220,000 Stanford alumni that include 83 Nobel laureates, 28 Turing Award laureates, 8 Fields Medalists, 270 Olympic medals including 139 gold medals. Larry Page (Co-founder Google); Mike Krieger (Co-founder, Instagram); Peter Thiel (Co-founder, Paypal); Gene D. Block (8th chancellor of UCLA); Derek Bok (25th president of Harvard), etc. | 30 British Prime Ministers, 55 Nobel Prize winners, 120 Olympic medal winners; Helen Fielding (author), Edward de Bono (philosopher), Hugh Grant (actor), Stephen Hawking (physicist), Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi (cricketer) |
| Weather |
Stanford University vs University of Oxford
Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)
Stanford and Oxford are two of the world's leading universities, although with different emphasis and organization.
Stanford: Stanford is ranked 3rd in the world in QS World University Rankings 2026, excelling across engineering, computer science, business, natural sciences, and social sciences. It is especially famous for innovation, entrepreneurship, and tech-driven programs.Oxford: ranked 4th in the world in QS World University Rankings 2026 with globally preeminent programs in humanities, law, medicine, business, sciences, and social sciences. Oxford blends conventional teaching with large-scale research influence, generating leaders across all fields.
General Information
Stanford: Established in 1885 in Silicon Valley, California, Stanford has approximately 17,000 students, focusing on innovation, interdisciplinary research, and close ties with the tech and business communities.Oxford: Established in the 12th century, with around 26,000 students, organized around 39 colleges in Oxford, UK. It is ancient, research-focused, and extremely international in character.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Stanford: Highly selective, with an acceptance rate of about 3.9%%, considering academics, leadership, innovation, and extracurricular contribution.
Oxford: Also very selective, with an acceptance rate of 17.5%%, demanding entrance tests, interviews, and solid academic records.
Research Impact & Facilities
Stanford: A worldwide research powerhouse, especially in STEM, entrepreneurship, medicine, and AI, with top-notch labs, incubators, and excellent industry links.
Oxford: An international research leader with vast libraries, laboratories, and institutes, outstanding in humanities, sciences, medicine, and social sciences.
Cost & Financial Aid
Stanford: Tuition for undergraduates is approximately $60,000 annually, with liberal need-based financial aid, including international student support.
Oxford: Tuition within the UK is approximately £9,250 per annum for home students and £25,000–£45,000 for international students, with scholarship and financial assistance options.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Success
Stanford: Alumni network is very strong in technology, entrepreneurship, finance, and research, especially Silicon Valley and internationally.
Oxford: Produces international leaders in politics, law, academia, business, and science with a powerful alumni network internationally.
