
Stanford University is unique in its housing arrangements, as a large majority of students live on campus. As of autumn 2024, 7,108 students live in university-provided undergraduate housing, and 7,095 students live in graduate housing. This amounts to about 97% of all eligible undergraduates and 72% of graduate students living in university-provided housing. On-campus housing is guaranteed for entering undergraduates for four years, and entering graduate students for one year if they apply by the spring deadline. Students at Stanford have a variety of housing options, including traditional dormitory-style arrangements, theme houses, co-op houses, and Greek housing for fraternities and sororities.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total number of students | 8,054 (as of fall 2023) |
| Gender distribution | 48.4% male and 51.6% female |
| Number of students living in university-provided housing | 7,108 undergraduate and 7,095 graduate students (as of autumn quarter 2024) |
| Percentage of students living in university-provided housing | 92% (97% of undergraduates and 72% of graduates) |
| Percentage of students living off-campus | 8% |
| Housing options | Dormitories, theme houses, co-op houses, Greek housing |
| Student location diversity | Higher than average; majority from California |
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What You'll Learn

Most students live on campus
Stanford University is unique in its housing arrangements, with a large majority of students living on campus. As of the autumn quarter of 2024, 7,108 undergraduate students live in university-provided housing, and 7,095 graduate students do the same. This accounts for about 97% of all eligible undergraduates and 72% of graduate students. Stanford guarantees on-campus housing for entering undergraduates for all four years and to entering graduate students for at least their first year, provided they apply by the spring deadline.
The high percentage of students living on campus is due in part to the university's diverse residential system, which offers a mix of residence styles. Students can choose from traditional dormitory-style arrangements, theme houses, co-op houses, and Greek housing for those in fraternities or sororities. Living on campus is considered a major part of the Stanford experience, providing a supportive residential environment and fostering community involvement and engagement.
The quality of on-campus housing at Stanford is generally comfortable, and students placed in newer dorms may enjoy more modern amenities. While living off-campus is an option, particularly for graduate students, the cost of living in the Palo Alto area is relatively high compared to national averages. As such, most Stanford students choose to live on campus throughout their time at the university.
The high rate of students living on campus contributes to a sense of community and engagement within the Stanford student body. With a large proportion of the student population residing in university housing, there are ample opportunities for social interaction, collaboration, and the development of strong campus communities. This aspect of the Stanford experience is valued by many students and is a distinctive feature of the university's culture and tradition.
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Dormitories and theme houses
Stanford University provides a range of housing options for its undergraduate and graduate students. The university guarantees housing for first-year undergraduates for four years, and about 97% of all eligible undergraduates live in campus housing. There are 80 diverse facilities for undergraduates, with options for single students, couples, and families with children.
For undergraduates, Stanford offers residence halls, suites, and apartments. Residence halls typically have shared bedrooms and bathrooms, while suites offer more privacy with a combination of shared and private bedrooms and bathrooms. Apartments provide the most independence with private bedrooms and bathrooms, and some even have full kitchens.
Graduate students have similar options, including studio apartments and shared housing. Stanford also provides specific housing for couples and families, ensuring that partners and children can live together.
In addition to the standard housing options, Stanford has theme houses, which are unique communities centered around specific interests or identities. These might include co-ops, deadhouses, and Greek-letter organizations. For example, Oberlin House, a co-op, is known for its strong community and affordable prices.
The university also offers enhanced housing selection processes, allowing students to choose assignments outside of their first-year neighbourhoods and fostering an inclusive environment. Stanford's housing options promote diversity, with students from various backgrounds and interests living and building lasting relationships together.
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Co-op houses and Greek housing
Stanford University offers a variety of housing options for its students, including cooperative houses (co-ops) and Greek housing.
Cooperative houses, or co-ops, are student-managed residences where members actively participate in the governance and operations of the house. There are seven co-op houses at Stanford, each with a unique identity and a range of 30 to 65 residents. Co-op members share various-sized bedrooms and jointly plan and carry out tasks such as purchasing food and supplies, budgeting, cooking, cleaning, and coordinating jobs. Living in a co-op fosters a strong sense of community and commitment among its members. Students assigned to co-ops pay the standard residence hall housing rate and are assigned the co-op meal plan by default, but they can opt-out if they prefer a standard residence hall meal plan.
Greek housing at Stanford refers to the houses of Greek-letter organizations, including fraternities and sororities. About 22% of undergraduate students are involved in one of the 23 fraternities and sororities recognized on campus. Greek housing is also self-governed, with active members voting on who is accepted into the organization. Greek Life has a set of rules and regulations, including penalties for drug use, and is known for hosting social events and parties.
Both co-ops and Greek houses offer distinct living experiences with a sense of community and involvement in the operations of the house. While co-ops are often seen as more countercultural and collaborative, Greek houses provide a traditional and established social organization with a set of rules and expectations.
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Off-campus living is an option
While Stanford University guarantees on-campus housing for first-year undergraduates for all four years of their degree, and for first-year graduate students, living off-campus is still an option. In fact, around 8% of students live off-campus.
Stanford University is unique in that a large majority of students live on campus. More than 92% of undergraduates and about 60% of graduate students reside on campus, which is one of the highest rates of on-campus living for any university in the United States. On-campus housing is considered a major part of the Stanford experience, providing a supportive residential environment and fostering community involvement and engagement.
However, for those who choose to live off-campus, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, the cost of living in the Palo Alto area is quite high compared to the national average. Additionally, off-campus students may miss out on the sense of community that on-campus housing provides.
That being said, there are also benefits to living off-campus. For example, students may have more independence and privacy, and may be able to find housing that better suits their specific needs and preferences. Additionally, for graduate students with families, living off-campus may provide more space and a more suitable environment for their family.
Ultimately, the decision to live on or off-campus is a personal one, and students should consider their own needs, preferences, and financial situation when making this decision.
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Stanford guarantees housing for undergraduates
Stanford University guarantees housing for undergraduates, with about 97% of all eligible undergraduates living in campus housing. The university provides a range of housing options, including diverse facilities for single students, couples, and families with children.
First-year students are guaranteed housing and have a high priority for assignments, even if they apply after the deadline or have restricted housing choices. Stanford offers twelve complete or partial quarters of academic-year housing for students who matriculate as freshmen, including their freshman year. This guarantee also extends to coterminal students, who may be eligible for undergraduate housing or graduate housing depending on their year and the number of guaranteed quarters remaining.
The housing selection process at Stanford allows students to select assignments outside of their first-year neighbourhoods, providing increased flexibility and agency. The university also offers on-campus houses for Greek-letter organisations and communities such as co-ops and "deadhouses", known for their strong sense of community and affordable prices.
To be eligible for undergraduate housing at Stanford, students must be enrolled in a degree program and considered enrolled by the Registrar's Office. Students who meet the eligibility criteria and apply by the specified deadlines are always housed by the end of the first week of the quarter. In the event of limited space, some undergraduates may be temporarily assigned to guest rooms or vacancies in graduate residences.
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Frequently asked questions
Most students at Stanford University live in university-provided housing, with 92% of undergraduates and 60-72% of graduate students residing on campus.
Living on campus is considered a major part of the Stanford experience, providing a supportive residential environment and fostering community involvement and engagement.
Stanford has a diverse residential system, offering a mix of residence styles, including traditional dormitory-style arrangements, theme houses, co-op houses, and Greek housing for fraternities and sororities.
Yes, 8% of students at Stanford live off-campus, although the cost of living in the Palo Alto area is relatively high compared to the national average.











































