Study at Stanford University from Nepal
When Nepali students dream of studying in the USA, Stanford University often feels like a faraway dream — where world-changing ideas and leaders are born.
But what if we told you that with the right guidance, studying at Stanford from Nepal can be a very real opportunity?
Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, Stanford is not just a university; it’s a launchpad for innovation, entrepreneurship, and global leadership.
From Google’s founders to Nobel Prize winners, countless people who’ve changed the world started their journey here.
For Nepali students, this means direct access to cutting-edge research, global networks, and opportunities that can shape a lifetime career.
(Tip: If you’re planning to study in the USA from Nepal, Stanford stands as one of the most powerful choices for ambitious students who want to push boundaries.)
Why Choose Stanford University?
Location advantage
Stanford is in Palo Alto, California, right inside Silicon Valley — home to Google, Apple, Tesla, Meta, and hundreds of startups.
Imagine studying where the world’s biggest innovations happen.
Global alumni network
With over 230,000 alumni worldwide, you’ll gain a powerful network that opens doors in every field, from finance to politics to technology.
Research & innovation hub
Whether it’s AI, medicine, or clean energy, Stanford gives undergrads and grads access to cutting-edge labs and research opportunities from day one.
Generous financial aid
Stanford is one of the few U.S. universities with need-blind admission for internationals, meaning your financial status doesn’t affect your admission chance — and aid covers full tuition and living costs if needed.
Source: https://admission.stanford.edu/apply/intl
Campuses
Stanford’s campus is often described as a city of its own:
- Main Campus – 8,000+ acres in Palo Alto, California, with state-of-the-art labs, libraries, and residential halls.
- Stanford Medicine & Hospital – A global leader in healthcare and medical research.
- SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory – A U.S. Department of Energy lab managed by Stanford.
- Research Parks & Innovation Centers – Tightly connected to Silicon Valley’s ecosystem.
Nepali students love that everything — academics, housing, dining, sports, and culture — is right on campus.
Source: https://visit.stanford.edu/campus
Number of Courses & Levels
Stanford offers a wide academic portfolio:
- Undergraduate: 65+ majors across 3 schools (Humanities & Sciences, Engineering, Earth Sciences).
- Graduate/Professional: 90+ programs including MBA, JD, MD, and PhDs.
- Research Opportunities: Available from the first year for both UG & PG students.
Stanford encourages “interdisciplinary learning,” so students often combine fields like Computer Science + Public Policy.
Source: https://majors.stanford.edu
Scholarships for Nepali Students
Stanford’s financial support makes it realistic for Nepali students:
| Scholarship / Aid | Eligibility | Coverage |
|---|
| Stanford Need-Based Aid | All admitted undergraduates | Up to full tuition + living costs |
| Knight-Hennessy Scholars | Graduate students | Full tuition + stipend (~$45,000/year) |
| Research/Teaching Assistantships | Graduate research students | Tuition + monthly stipend |
| External (Fulbright, U.S. Embassy Nepal) | Nepali PG applicants | Partial to full |
With Goreto’s help, Nepali students have successfully secured full or partial aid packages, making Stanford surprisingly affordable.
Source: https://financialaid.stanford.edu
Campus Life
Stanford is more than just academics — it’s a complete life experience:
Student communities: 600+ student groups, including Nepali and South Asian societies.
Events & culture: Concerts, lectures, sports, film nights, and cultural celebrations like Dashain & Tihar.
Facilities: Cutting-edge libraries, fitness centers, swimming pools, and even a golf course on campus.
Support services: International student office, health & wellness centers, housing support, and career counselling.
Nepali students say Stanford feels like home because of the diversity and welcoming community.
Source: https://studentservices.stanford.edu
Notable Alumni
- Larry Page & Sergey Brin – Founders of Google
- Elon Musk (attended PhD program briefly) – Founder of Tesla, SpaceX
- Reed Hastings – Co-founder of Netflix
- Sandra Day O’Connor – First female U.S. Supreme Court Justice
- Sundar Pichai – CEO of Google (MBA from Stanford GSB)
Source: https://alumni.stanford.edu
Rankings
- QS World Rankings 2025 – #5 globally
- U.S. News Best Global Universities 2025 – #3
- Times Higher Education 2025 – Top 5 globally
Stanford consistently ranks among the top 5 universities worldwide.
Source: https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/stanford-university
Tuition Fees (2025–26)
| Program Type | Average Annual Tuition | Approx. in NPR |
|---|
| Undergraduate | $61,731 | ~NPR 8.2M |
| Graduate (MSc/PhD) | $55,000 | ~NPR 7.3M |
| MBA (GSB) | $79,860 | ~NPR 10.6M |
Remember: with Stanford’s aid, most students pay much less than the sticker price.
Source: https://financialaid.stanford.edu
Living Expenses in California
| Expense Category | Monthly (USD) | Approx. NPR |
|---|
| Rent (shared apt) | $1,200–$1,800 | NPR 159K–239K |
| Food & groceries | $400–$600 | NPR 53K–79K |
| Transport | $100–$150 | NPR 13K–20K |
| Health insurance | $250–$400 | NPR 33K–53K |
| Miscellaneous | $200–$300 | NPR 26K–40K |
| Total | $2,200–$3,000 | NPR 293K–400K |
Palo Alto is expensive, but with aid and part-time work, Nepali students manage comfortably.
Source: https://financialaid.stanford.edu/cost
Library
Stanford’s Green Library and Lane Medical Library are just the beginning. The university has 20+ libraries with millions of books, digital resources, and 24/7 study spaces.
Source: https://library.stanford.edu
Placements & Career Support
Stanford’s Career Education (BEAM) office helps students transition to careers smoothly:
- Resume workshops & mock interviews
- Internship placements in Silicon Valley companies
- Startup support through Stanford’s Venture Studio
- Funding for student-led projects
Source: https://beam.stanford.edu
Top Companies Hiring Stanford Grads
- Google
- Apple
- Tesla
- Meta (Facebook)
- McKinsey & Company
- Goldman Sachs
Source: https://beam.stanford.edu
Graduate Average Salaries
| Field | Avg. Salary (USD/year) | Approx. NPR/year |
|---|
| Engineering & Tech | $110,000 | NPR 14.6M |
| Business & Finance | $120,000 | NPR 16M |
| Medicine & Health | $90,000 | NPR 11.9M |
| Social Sciences | $70,000 | NPR 9.3M |
Source: https://www.payscale.com/research/US/School=Stanford_University
Part-Time Jobs for Nepali Students
- During study: Up to 20 hrs/week (on-campus only). Roles in library, dining halls, labs, IT support.
- During breaks: Full-time (40 hrs/week).
- CPT (Curricular Practical Training): Paid internships during study.
- OPT (Optional Practical Training): 12 months after graduation (+24-month STEM extension for eligible degrees).
Goreto helps students prepare U.S.-style resumes and understand OPT/CPT rules.
Source: https://bechtel.stanford.edu
Upcoming Intakes
Fall (September) – main intake for all UG & most PG programs.
Deadlines:
- UG Early Action: November 1
- UG Regular Decision: January 5
- PG: December–January (varies by department)
Source: https://admission.stanford.edu/apply
Eligibility Criteria
Undergraduate (UG)
- Completion of +2 / NEB with excellent grades (GPA 3.7+/4.0).
- SAT/ACT is optional but strong scores can help.
- High-quality essays and 2–3 teacher recommendations are critical.
- English test required (IELTS/TOEFL/Duolingo/PTE).
Postgraduate (PG/Master’s/PhD)
- Bachelor’s degree with high GPA (3.5+/4.0 recommended).
- GRE/GMAT: Optional in many departments but beneficial for STEM & MBA.
- Work/research experience preferred for professional programs (e.g., MBA, Engineering).
- SOP, Resume, and Recommendation Letters are essential.
Stanford looks for all-rounders — grades matter, but so do leadership, projects, and extracurriculars.
Source: https://admission.stanford.edu | https://gradadmissions.stanford.edu
Required Documents
| Document Type | UG Applicants | PG Applicants |
|---|
| Academic transcripts | +2 / High School | Bachelor’s (and Master’s if applicable) |
| Standardized Tests | SAT/ACT (optional) | GRE/GMAT (if required) |
| English Proficiency | IELTS/TOEFL/PTE/Duolingo | IELTS/TOEFL/PTE/Duolingo |
| Letters of Recommendation | 2–3 teacher refs | 2–3 professor/employer refs |
| Statement of Purpose (SOP) / Essays | Required | Required |
| Resume / CV | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Financial Documents | Proof of sponsor/funds | Proof of sponsor/funds |
| Passport & ID | Required | Required |
Goreto helps Nepali students draft impactful SOPs, arrange LoRs, and complete financial paperwork.
Source: https://gradadmissions.stanford.edu/applying
Contact Details
English Language Requirements
| Test | Minimum Score (UG & PG) |
|---|
| IELTS | 7.0 overall (no band < 6.5) |
| TOEFL iBT | 100+ |
| PTE Academic | 68+ |
| Duolingo | 120+ |
Some programs may accept Medium of Instruction (MOI) if your previous degree was in English, but competitive programs prefer standardized test scores.
Source: https://gradadmissions.stanford.edu/applying/english-proficiency
Admission Timeline
Undergraduate (UG)
- Early Action: November 1
- Regular Decision: January 5
- Decisions: March–April
- Intake: Fall (September only)
Postgraduate (PG)
- Application Opens: September (prior year)
- Deadlines: December–January (varies by department)
- Intake: Fall (September)
Stanford does not offer Spring intakes for most programs. Nepali students should prepare for September entry.
Source: https://admission.stanford.edu/apply | https://gradadmissions.stanford.edu
