Stanford Acceptance Rate Results for the Class of 2029
Arkesh P.
Chief Operating Officer
Summary
Stanford University has completed its admissions cycle for the Class of 2029, admitting a larger than expected number of students, with a full breakdown of acceptance rate results expected in the fall of 2025. Nonetheless, recent Stanford data can still provide insights to help prospective applicants better understand Stanford's challenging admissions landscape.
Stanford began withholding Regular Decision and Early Action application numbers and acceptance results seven years ago, in an effort, it says, to "reduce the outsized emphasis placed on admission rates..."
Limited acceptance rate data are eventually shared through the school's publicly available Common Data Set, typically released in the mid or late fall, upon the full completion of the admissions cycle.
In this post we'll review the most recent acceptance rate news and available acceptance rate data for Stanford, with insights to help prospective applicants better understand Stanford's challenging admissions landscape.
Stanford's Overall Acceptance Rates by Year
| Class of 2029 | Class of 2028 | Class of 2027 | Class of 2026 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total First-Year Applicants | TBA | 57,326 | 53,733 | 56,378 |
| Admitted Applicants | TBA | 2,067 | 2,099 | 2,026 |
| Overall Admission Rate | TBA | 3.6% | 3.9% | 3.68% |
Key Trends and Insights
- Overall application numbers and acceptance rate results for the Class of 2029 are not anticipated to be released except with publication of the school's 2025-26 Common Data Set, much later in the year.
- The Stanford Daily said it learned that Stanford admitted 150 more applicants this year than last year, which would make the Class of 2029 the school's largest ever, but said the report has not been confirmed.
- Acceptance rates at Stanford are at historical lows — mirroring recent trends at many leading US colleges and universities — with last year's 3.6% rate the lowest ever in Stanford's history.
- Last year's yield rate (for the Class of 2028) was 82%, attesting to the school's exceptional brand and appeal among students in the US and internationally, with 2,067 students admitted and 1,693 electing to enroll.
Broader Admissions Trends:
- Consistently High Selectivity: For the past four years the number of first-year students applying to Stanford has topped 50,000 each year and the acceptance rate has hovered below 4%, highlighting a daunting admissions landscape, even for students with exceptional records of achievement and exceptional aspirations.
- Pandemic-Era Rise in Applications: Total applications increased roughly 23% beginning with the Class of 2025 admissions cycle (ascending to 55,471 applications from 45,227 the prior year) and resulting in a nearly 2-point drop in the acceptance rate, down to 3.98% from 5.83%.
- REA Advantage: Stanford is no longer reporting REA application numbers and acceptance rates, limiting visibility into the true level of selectivity. At schools with similarly competitive admissions, early-round applicants typically enjoy a significant statistical edge, but they must also be willing to comply with the restrictive nature of Stanford's early action policy.
- Fluctuations Influenced by External Factors: Acceptance rates and application totals can vary due to external influences such as policy changes, global events (e.g., COVID-19), or targeted recruitment efforts. Noteworthy for Stanford is the upcoming reinstatement of SAT/ACT testing requirements (for applicants to the Class of 2030).
Beginning with the Class of 2030 admissions cycle (students applying in the fall 2025), Stanford will no longer be test optional and will resume requiring either the SAT or the ACT for undergraduate admission. Stanford's changing test policy may deter some students from applying, which could lower the number of total applicants beginning next year.
Based on the most recent available data (Class of 2028), about 70% of first-year students who enrolled at Stanford took the test despite the test-optional policy.
For our full list of test-optional colleges and universities, check out: Test-Optional Colleges 2025/26: A Complete List and Tips for Your SAT/ACT Strategy
Stanford's Regular Decision Acceptance Results
Stanford's RD Statistics (Most Recent Available)
| Class of 2023 | Class of 2022 | Class of 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Applicants | 49,000 | 47,452 | 44,073 |
| Overall Acceptance Rate | 4.2% | 4.36% | 4.65% |
| RD Applicants | 40,500 | 39,050 | 36,251 |
| RD Admits | 1,357 | 1,321 | 1,329 |
| RD Acceptance Rate | 3.35% | 3.38% | 3.67% |
| Overall Acceptance Rate (for comparison) | 4.2% | 4.36% | 4.65% |
With Stanford no longer providing Restrictive Early Action (REA) acceptance results, we don't have a full picture of how competitive the Regular Decision (RD) admissions process is.
Differences in regular round and early action acceptance rates are common at highly selective schools, and based on the most recent available data, Stanford's admission process follows a similar pattern, with RD acceptance rates tracking a full percentage point or more below the overall acceptance rate, year over year.
With the total number of applicants well up above 50,000 each year in more recent admissions cycles, it's no surprise that the overall acceptance rate has moved down below 4%, which likely puts the RD rate at 3% or less — making Stanford one the most competitive schools in the US, as competitive as Harvard, Columbia, and MIT, or even more so.
Stanford's admissions remain fiercely competitive, demanding not only exceptional academic performance but also evidence of meaningful engagement and genuine passion. Applicants should focus on standing out authentically in academics, service, and leadership while pursuing authentic personal, scholarly, and intellectual passions and interests that will help them present a truly exceptional applicant profile.
Stanford's Restrictive Early Action Acceptance Results
Stanford's REA Statistics (Most Recent Available)
| Class of 2023 | Class of 2022 | Class of 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Applicants | 49,000 | 47,452 | 44,073 |
| Overall Acceptance Rate | 4.2% | 4.36% | 4.65% |
| REA Applicants | 8,500 | 8,400 | 7,822 |
| REA Admits | 700 | 750 | 721 |
| REA Acceptance Rate | 8.24% | 8.93% | 9.22% |
Six years ago, the REA acceptance rate at Stanford was 8.24%, down from 8.93% (Class of 2022) and 9.22% (Class of 2021)
While very competitive, Stanford's REA acceptance rate for the Class of 2023 was roughly double the Regular Decision acceptance rate.
Also, six years ago Stanford received 49,000 total applications, compared to more than 57,000 last year (Class of 2028), pointing to increasing competition in recent years.
Your Potential REA Advantage
As challenging and competitive as a 6-8% admissions rate may be, Stanford's REA acceptance rate still seems to offer some advantages in comparison to the RD acceptance rate, estimated to be near or below 4%.
- Higher Acceptance Rates: Early-round applicants typically enjoy higher acceptance rates compared to Regular Decision applicants.
- Demonstrated Interest: Applying early shows Stanford your strong interest in joining their academic community.
Historical Trends
Historical Acceptance Rates at Stanford
| Class of | Total Applications | Total Accepted | Overall Acceptance Rate | RD Acceptance Rate | ED Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2029 | TBA | TBA | TBA | NA | NA |
| 2028 | 57,326 | 2,067 | 3.6% | NA | NA |
| 2027 | 53,733 | 2,099 | 3.9% | NA | NA |
| 2026 | 56,378 | 2,026 | 3.68% | NA | NA |
| 2025 | 55,541 | 2,190 | 3.95% | NA | NA |
| 2024 | 45,227 | 2,349 | 5.19% | NA | NA |
| 2023 | 47,498 | 2,062 | 4.2% | 3.35% | 8.24% |
| 2022 | 47,450 | 2,071 | 4.36% | 3.38% | 8.93% |
| 2021 | 44,073 | 2,185 | 4.65% | 3.67% | 9.22% |
| 2020 | 43,997 | 2,063 | 4.69% | 3.64% | 9.52% |
These data reflect a familiar pattern across today's top US colleges and universities — a gradual tightening of acceptance rates and a more and more challenging admissions landscape.
Next year, for the Class of 2030 admissions cycle, Stanford will end its test-optional policy. Will the reinstated testing mandate deter any significant number of applicants from applying? It's too soon to know, but it's fair to project that, yes, overall applicant numbers may go down a notch (or two) as soon as SAT or ACT test results are required for all applicants, beginning next year.
Academic Excellence: Maintain top grades in rigorous coursework and a high overall GPA.
Strong Essays: Use well-crafted essays to showcase your unique voice and story.
Leadership and Extracurriculars: Strive to demonstrate meaningful engagement outside the classroom.
Test Scores: Aim for high SAT or ACT scores within or above Stanford's reported range.
Final Thoughts
If you're a prospective student thinking about Stanford, be sure to check out our full guide on How To Get Into Stanford!
Otherwise, congratulations to all students admitted to Stanford's Class of 2029 — your achievement reflects remarkable dedication and excellence.
For those considering applying to Stanford in the future, the admissions landscape is increasingly competitive, making strategic preparation essential.
Crimson Education specializes in helping ambitious students navigate this challenging process, offering tailored guidance to build compelling applications that reflect their authentic strengths and passions.
If you're a student or parent interested in Stanford or other top universities, speak with one of Crimson Education’s admissions advisors today and start charting your path to success.
