Stanford University stands out with its extremely selective admission, substantial endowment, and robust financial aid programs. The University of Oxford, while having a higher acceptance rate, boasts a strong global ranking, particularly in the humanities, and a high graduate employment rate. The choice depends on individual priorities, with Stanford potentially appealing to those seeking a highly selective and well-funded institution, and Oxford attracting those interested in specific humanities programs and strong career prospects post-graduation.
| Attribute | University of Oxford | Stanford University |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | Approximately 16-17% for undergraduate programs. 16.4% offer rate and 14.1% acceptance rate for 2024 admissions. Below 10% for some courses like Economics and Management or Medicine. Around 8% for American applicants. | Approximately 4%. For the Class of 2027, it was 3.6%. |
| Student-to-Faculty Ratio | Approximately 11:1 for undergraduates. | Approximately 6:1. Some sources say it is 5:1. |
| Research Output (publications, citations) | World-class research university with a substantial output of scientific papers and citations. Leads in QS World University Rankings for English Language and Literature, Anatomy and Physiology, and Geography (as of March 2025). | Very high research activity. In 2018-2019, around $6.03 million was allocated for grant programs benefitting 1,024 projects. |
| Endowment Size | University: "":1.3 billion. Colleges: "":5.06 billion (2023: "":6.4 billion). | $37.6 billion (as of August 31, 2024). As of August 2023, the endowment was valued at $36.5 billion. |
| Global Ranking (e.g., QS, Times Higher Education) | QS World University Rankings 2026: #4. Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2025: 1st. U.S. News & World Report Global Universities 2024: 4th. | U.S. News & World Report: #4 in National Universities (2025). Times Higher Education: #6 in the world. QS World University Rankings: #6 in the world. |
| Number of Undergraduate Programs | Not available | Offers three undergraduate degrees: Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Sciences, and Bachelor of Arts and Sciences. There are 66 fields of undergraduate study. |
| Number of Graduate Programs | Over 359 | Over 150 graduate programs. |
| Tuition Fees (for international students) | Undergraduate: "":24,910 (humanities) to "":33,625 (STEM and FAME). Postgraduate: Master's degrees range from "":25,000 to "":45,000 per year, doctoral degrees (PhDs) range from "":24,000 to "":40,000 per year. | Tuition fees for international students for undergraduate programs range from $60,000 to $70,000 per year. The estimated tuition for undergraduate international students is approximately $65,046 for the academic year 2024-2025. |
| Availability of Financial Aid/Scholarships | Various scholarships, including the Rhodes Scholarship. Financial aid for international students is relatively limited. | Offers need-based financial aid to students. They meet 100% of demonstrated need for admitted students who qualify for financial assistance. Stanford has a "no-loan" policy for undergraduates who qualify for need-based aid. |
| Campus Facilities (libraries, labs, sports) | Over 100 libraries, including the Bodleian. Sports facilities available at the college level and through Oxford University Sport. | Over 600 campus buildings. Facilities include libraries, labs, and sports facilities. |
| Career Services and Placement Rate | 91% employment rate for graduates. Median starting salary is "":27,000. | Career Development Center offers resume workshops, internship placements, and job fairs. 50% of students had full-time job offers within six months of graduation. |
| Student Satisfaction (based on surveys) | 93% satisfaction rate for new students' arrival experience (2024/25 Barometer). | Stanford's Student Affairs department has more than 25 offices and centers that provide services such as leadership development, career exploration and public service programs. |