BS Earth and Planetary Sciences at Stanford University

Programme overview

The undergraduate program in Earth and Planetary Sciences aims to provide students with a broad background in the Earth and Planetary Sciences fundamentals and the quantitative, analytical, and communication skills necessary to conduct research and think critically about questions involving the Earth and other planets. EPS focuses on the history and structure of the Earth and other planets, the physics and chemistry of planetary materials, the processes that cycle those materials globally, and the interaction of human activities with geological processes and resources.

Faculty: Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability | Department: Earth and Planetary Sciences | Duration: 60 units in the programme; 180 minimum university units | Study mode: full-time | Location: Stanford, CA, United States

What you will study

Programme load is 60 units in the programme and 180 minimum university units. Requirements are organised into: Core Program Requirements; Breadth in Discipline; Depth in Discipline; Writing in the Major (WIM); Capstone; Honors; Major Requirements (60 units).

Career pathways

The major provides excellent preparation for graduate school and careers in geological and environmental consulting, land use planning, law, teaching, and other professions in which a background in science and an understanding of our and other planets are necessary.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Admission is to Stanford University, not to a major: first-year applicants apply through the Common Application with ACT or SAT scores, the School Report and counselor recommendation, official transcripts and letters of recommendation from two academic teachers (Restrictive Early Action deadline November 1; Regular Decision deadline January 5). Majors are declared after enrolment; no separate programme application. Programme-specific prerequisites are listed in the requirements of the major.

USD 67,731 a year (2026-27). Undergraduate full-time tuition for Autumn, Winter and Spring quarters combined; a single undergraduate rate applies to all undergraduate majors and is stated for all students. Excludes student fees, housing and food, books and personal expenses. The unde Source

Tuition is charged for Autumn, Winter and Spring quarters (Summer quarter also billed separately). Graduate programmes such as PhD and Master's in Computer Science admit for Autumn entry only; Education PhD and Master's programmes begin September 20, 2027.

First-year applicants apply through the Common Application. Restrictive Early Action deadline is October 15 with an optional arts portfolio or November 1 for the standard application, with decisions by mid-December. Regular Decision deadline is December 5 with an optional arts portfolio or January 5 for the standard application, with decisions by early April. The reply date is May 1. The application fee is $100, nonrefundable, or a fee waiver request. ACT or SAT scores are required.

Transfer applicants apply through the Common Application by March 15, with decisions by mid-May. The application fee is $100 or a fee waiver request, and ACT or SAT scores are required.

ACT or SAT scores are required for first-year applicants, with no minimum score; Stanford has no preferred exam.

Apply through the official page: https://admission.stanford.edu/apply/first-year/

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