LeapScholar

What costs apart from tuition should I budget for at Stanford in 2026-27?

02 Oct 2026 · Answered by Deepak Kumar · 2 min read
Quick Answer verified

Apart from tuition, a typical Stanford undergraduate may spend about USD 29,814 a year on housing, food, university fees, books and personal needs. Stanford's estimated 2026-27 student budget is about USD 97,545 before travel and health insurance. Housing and food alone are around USD 22,944.

Deepak Kumar
Deepak Kumar Verified
Leap Scholar's Counsellor
View Profile →

Beyond tuition, a typical undergraduate at Stanford may spend around USD 29,814 (approx INR 28.64 L) per year on housing, food, university fees, books and personal needs. That takes Stanford's estimated 2026-27 student budget to about USD 97,545 (approx INR 93.70 L), before travel and health insurance are added.

Estimated costs apart from tuition

ExpenseEstimated cost in USD
Housing and food22,944 (approx INR 22.04 L) per year
Cardinal Care health insurance2,936 (approx INR 2.82 L) per quarter, not included in the USD 97,545 total
Campus Health Service Fee281 (approx INR 26,993) per quarter, already included in the student fees allowance below
Student fees allowance2,610 (approx INR 2.51 L) per year, which includes the Campus Health Service Fee
Books and supplies855 (approx INR 82,131) per year
Personal expenses3,405 (approx INR 3.27 L) per year
New Student Orientation Fee525 (approx INR 50,432), one time
Document Fee250 (approx INR 24,015), one time

What can change these numbers

  • Housing and food can change with room type, meal plan and whether you live on or off campus.
  • Travel costs vary by location and are not part of the figures above.
  • The orientation and document fees are one-time costs for new students.

My Advice

Treat these as planning estimates, not fixed bills. Build your budget with a buffer for travel and first-quarter setup costs, and check Stanford's official student budget page for the current figures before you finalise your funding plan.

How much will a month in the USA cost you?

Rent, food and travel. A real monthly budget, city by city.

4.7/5 Google 🎓 25K+ admits
Get My Cost Estimate

More Cost & living questions

More USA questions

🎓 How much does a month cost in the USA? Get Cost Estimate