Stanford University is a hub of discovery, creativity, innovation, and top-tier medical care. Committed to its mission of benefiting society through research and education, Stanford aims to build a sustainable future, drive groundbreaking discoveries, enhance the societal impact of its research, and educate students as global citizens. Each year, over 7,000 undergraduates and 9,000 graduate students study at Stanford.
Located in the San Francisco Bay Area on the traditional land of the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe, Stanford began welcoming students in 1891. Spanning 8,180 acres, it boasts one of the largest university campuses in the U.S., featuring 18 interdisciplinary research institutes and seven schools: the Graduate School of Business, School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences, Graduate School of Education, School of Engineering, School of Humanities and Sciences, Law School, and School of Medicine.
Stanford was founded in 1885 by California Senator Leland Stanford and his wife, Jane, in memory of their only child who had died of typhoid. Their vision was to create a university that would serve the public good, offering both liberal arts and the technology and engineering skills crucial to the emerging America. The university was established as non-sectarian, co-educational, and affordable.
Over a century later, Stanford is home to 20 Nobel laureates and consistently ranks among the top three universities in the world. Nicknamed “The Farm” from its early days when horses were common, Stanford now features a vibrant and diverse student life with over 625 organized student groups.
Sports are a big part of campus life, with students, faculty, and staff enjoying state-of-the-art recreational facilities and wellness programs. Stanford offers 36 varsity and 33 club sports, alongside physical education classes, fitness programs, aquatics, intramurals, and adventure activities. The university’s sports teams are known as the “Stanford Cardinal.”
The campus also has a strong tradition of fostering creativity and the arts, with a lively arts district and two world-class museums hosting regular exhibitions. Additionally, there are eight dining halls, a teaching kitchen, and organic gardens that provide healthy, sustainable meals to the campus community.
