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Grad School Navigator
Field 1▾Level▾Region▾Requirements▾⌕  Search filters☰ All filters
500+ programs in Computer Science ×
UniversityLvlProgramGSN RankLengthDeadlineCasesTuition
☆  ⇄  ⊘StanfordP15–6yDec 2102$41,310
☆  ⇄  ⊘StanfordMComputer Science (HCP)13–5yDec 21—
☆  ⇄  ⊘StanfordMComputer Science MS Degree Online11–5yDec 20—
☆  ⇄  ⊘StanfordMComputer Science11–5yDec 2109$63,540
☆  ⇄  ⊘PrincetonMEngineering in Computer Science22yDec 15—$65,210
☆  ⇄  ⊘PrincetonPComputer Science25yDec 15—$65,210
☆  ⇄  ⊘HarvardMComputational Science and Engineering31–2yDec 180$65,536
☆  ⇄  ⊘HarvardPComputer Science34–6yDec 1580$59,048
☆  ⇄  ⊘MITPInformation Technology42–6yDec 190—
☆  ⇄  ⊘MITPElectrical Engineering and Computer Science44–6yDec 1187$64,310

Stanford University

PhD in Computer ScienceStanford, CA, United States

Snapshot

Bird’s-eye view with the essential information.

DegreePhD
Length5–6 years
FieldComputer Science · Artificial Intelligence
FacultySchool of Engineering
LocationStanford, CA, United States
IntakeFall
DeadlineDec 2
Minimum GPANone
Work experienceNot required
GRENot required
EnglishTOEFL 90 / IELTS 7.0
Tuition / year$41,310
Application fee$125
FundingAvailable

Decision Timeline

Historical timeline based on 10+ years of data.

We predict one date for each outcome, and around it the window that holds two decisions in three. Where a program has limited history of its own, we lean on how similar programs behave. Where the spread is too small to draw an honest window, we keep the date rough.

InterviewJan 24
OfferFeb 7
WaitlistFeb 21
RejectionFeb 8
DecJanFebMar
Predicted dateTwo in three land hereRough timing

Overall Rankings

5 rankings

Published university rankings in one comparable view

Grad School NavigatorWorld University Rankings1
QS World University Rankings3
Times Higher EducationWorld University Rankings=5
U.S. News Best Global Universities Rankings3
Academic Ranking of World Universities2

Subject Rankings

13 rankings
Grad School Navigator Subject Rankings
Computer Science1
QS World University Rankings by Subject
Computer Science and Information Systems2
Data Science and Artificial Intelligence2
Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject
Computer Science6
U.S. News Best Graduate Schools
Artificial Intelligence3
Computer Science3
Programming Language4
Systems5
Theory4
U.S. News Best Global Universities Rankings – Subject Rankings
Artificial Intelligence44
Computer Science8
Academic Ranking of World Universities
Computer Science & Engineering3
Artificial Intelligence10

Requirements

8 fields
GPAHolistic review, no minimum — University requires PhD students to maintain a 3.0 GPA overall to confer degree, but no minimum GPA stated for admission
The University requires PhD students to maintain a 3.0 GPA overall in order to confer their degree.
Official source ↗
Other requirements3 letters of recommendation (at least 2 from academic sources), transcripts, statement of purpose, resume/CV with publications, and a supplemental form
You must submit three recommendation letters through the online application system. At least two should be from academic sources.
Official source ↗
Standardized testsGRE not required — GRE scores are not required for PhD applicants
GREs are not required for PhD applicants.
Official source ↗
Language testsTOEFL minimum 90 or IELTS Academic minimum 7.0. Tests must be taken within 24 months of the application deadline.
Minimum score for admission consideration: TOEFL 90 or IELTS 7.
Official source ↗
Language notesA waiver is available for qualifying English-language education, citizenship, residency, or professional experience.
English proficiency test scores are not required for applicants who meet one or more published waiver criteria.
Official source ↗
Work experienceNot required
A bachelor's degree in Computer Science is not required, but strong quantitative and analytical skills are important.
Official source ↗
Letters of recommendationThree letters required. At least two should be academic. Letters must use the online application system; Interfolio is not accepted.
CS only accepts online recommendations through the application system. We do not consider letters submitted via Interfolio.
Official source ↗
InterviewNot required
No interview requirement is listed; PhD decisions are based on the submitted application materials.
Official source ↗

Deadlines & Applying

DeadlineDec 2 · Fall intake
Application roundsN/A
Rolling admissionsN/A
StartFall
Intake termsFall
Application fee$125
Fee waiverA fee waiver is available

Costs & Funding

Tuition / year$41,310Our estimate based on published information.
Tuition as published$13,770 / quarter (8–10 units)
Graduate School (Master's / Doctorate): 8–10 units: $13,770; 11–18 units: $21,180
Official source ↗
Other tuition$13,770 / quarter (8–10 units)Stanford charges one universal graduate tuition rate for all students.
Graduate School (Master's / Doctorate): 8–10 units: $13,770; 11–18 units: $21,180
Official source ↗
Estimated cost of attendance$60,885
Graduate tuition plus total published non-tuition expenses of $47,115.
Official source ↗
FundingAll CS PhD students are guaranteed funding while they make satisfactory academic progress. Funding includes tuition, stipend, and health insurance.
All CS PhD students are guaranteed funding as long as they make satisfactory academic progress.
Official source ↗

Curriculum

1 field
Curriculumhttps://www.cs.stanford.edu/phd-program-requirements
PhD Program Requirements page with course requirements, candidacy, qualifying examination, teaching requirements, and dissertation information
Official source ↗

GSN Difficulty Index

Based on our proprietary dataset spanning 10+ years of history and calibrated against nearly one million applications. Our tiers are calibrated for the most competitive and sought-after programs.

GSN Difficulty Index: T1
  • Competitive at elite world-class standards, where long-term planning is essential.
  • T1 programs have a large demand and supply imbalance or recruit in such small numbers that outcomes remain uncertain even for the strongest applicants.
  • T1 programs should never be taken for granted, even by the best-profile candidates.

GSN Case Intelligence

Real case history to help you better understand the admissions profile for this program.

Outcomes

The distribution of the application pool based on our internal data.

Admitted 18%Waitlisted 0%

Admitted Profiles

Range of admitted applicant profiles from our internal pool.

GPA3.873.71–3.94
GRE330320–339
TOEFL108102–113
MedianMiddle two-thirdsLowest to highest
With internships 33%Typical internships 2 internshipsWith research 100%Typical research 4+ research projects

Rejected Profiles

Range of rejected applicant profiles from our internal pool.

GPA3.833.50–4.00
GRE326309–335
TOEFL10692–117
IELTS7.06.5–8.0
MedianMiddle two-thirdsLowest to highest

Program Statistics

Application analytics that add aggregated data from credible and complete reports that we have collected and analyzed across the public domain.

International share49%
Decision release patternBatch
Typical notification monthFebruary
Early notification monthFebruary
Late notification monthFebruary
Typical acceptance monthFebruary
Typical rejection monthFebruary
Funding rate100%
Past GRE waiverYes
Interview reports82 reports
Waitlist reports8 reports

Share interviewed: 11% · Skype · Phone · In person · Zoom
Converted to admit: 0%

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