NUS vs Stanford: Complete Comparison 2026
Side-by-side look at National University of Singapore and Stanford University: QS 2026 ranks 8 vs 6. Acceptance, tuition, language tests, and typical IB/A-Leve…
→ National University of Singapore profile → Stanford University profile
Summary comparison
Figures come from the GlobalAdmit dataset — always confirm on each university’s official admissions site.
| Metric | National University of Singapore | Stanford University |
|---|---|---|
| QS rank 2026 | 8 | 6 |
| Country | SG 🇸🇬 | US 🇺🇸 |
| Acceptance rate | 5% | 4% |
| Tuition (intl / yr) | $20,000 | $62,484 |
| Language (summary) | IELTS 6.5+ · TOEFL 90+ · Duolingo 110+ | IELTS 7+ · TOEFL 100+ · Duolingo 120+ |
| IB typical | 37/45 | 42/45 |
| A-Level typical | AAA | A*A*A |
Strengths
National University of Singapore
- Globally elite QS band (top 10 in 2026).
- Highly selective admissions profile.
- Major research university scale with broad programme choice.
Stanford University
- Globally elite QS band (top 10 in 2026).
- Highly selective admissions profile.
- Deep ties to US graduate training, recruiting, and industry hubs.
Popular majors (overlap)
Where both profiles list the same popular major label (case-insensitive).
No overlapping popular-major labels in our dataset yet — open each profile for subject-level detail.
Which is right for you?
If rankings are your north star
Stanford sits higher in QS 2026 (6 vs 8). That often correlates with research intensity and global name recognition — but NUS can still win on programme fit, city, or cost.
If budget is the deciding factor
All-in signals favour NUS on tuition plus living costs in our dataset — re-check official fee schedules because currency, programme, and visa rules move yearly.
If you are coming from IB / A-Levels / US high school
Compare the admission tabs on each profile: NUS vs Stanford can invert depending on whether you are optimising for IB typical offers, A-level expectations, or US-style testing. Use the evaluator after you narrow your list.
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