Harvard vs Stanford
Harvard University
World-renowned research university with highest endowment and institutional prestige
Law, medicine, business (HBS), and political careers
VS
Stanford
Silicon Valley's university, tech and startup powerhouse
Technology, entrepreneurship, and engineering
Short Answer
Harvard (founded 1636) is the oldest US university with the largest endowment ($50B) and leads in law and medical school prestige. Stanford (founded 1885) dominates in technology and entrepreneurship — more venture capital has been raised by Stanford alumni than any other university.
Our Verdict
Harvard for law, medicine, and political leadership. Stanford for tech entrepreneurship and Silicon Valley connections. Both are world #1 caliber institutions.
Harvard University8.3
6.7Stanford
Choose Harvard University if
Law, medicine, business (HBS), and political careers
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Key Differences at a Glance
🔹
Founded: Harvard University wins (1636 vs 1885)
🔹
Endowment: Harvard University wins ($50.9B vs $36B)
🔹
Acceptance Rate (2024): ~3% vs ~3.7%
Key Facts & Figures
| Metric | Harvard University | Stanford | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Endowment(USD) | $50.9 Billion | $36 Billion | +41% |
| Nobel Laureates | 160+ | 85+ | +88% |
| Acceptance Rate (2024) | ~3% | ~3.7% |
Key Differences
Harvard University
Attribute
Stanford
1636🏆
Founded
1885
$50.9B🏆
Endowment
$36B
~3%
Acceptance Rate (2024)
~3.7%
Good
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Last updated: March 28, 2026Human reviewed
