Stanford University is a private research university located in Stanford, California, United States. Founded in 1885, Stanford is one of the world's leading research universities and is widely considered one of the top universities in the United States. The university has a diverse student body, with students from all 50 states and over 100 countries.

The campus of Stanford University covers over 8,000 acres and includes a variety of buildings, including over 40 academic departments and over 100 research institutes. The university is renowned for its strong programs in the natural sciences, engineering, and computer science, as well as its strong humanities and social sciences programs.

Stanford has a long history of innovation and entrepreneurship, with many of its alumni going on to start successful companies and organizations. The university is home to numerous research centers and institutes, including the Stanford Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research, and the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center.

The university has a strong athletic tradition, with its teams known as the Cardinal. The university fields over 30 varsity teams and competes in the Pacific-12 Conference. The university has a strong tradition of student involvement and extracurricular activities, with a variety of student-run organizations, clubs, and activities available to students.