Stanford MS programs are notoriously selective and share little public scoring data. The targets below come from triangulating department class profiles, admission-blog reports, and the Stanford Office of Graduate Admissions FAQ. For the broader GRE good-score conversation see what is a good GRE score; for the test format see the complete GRE guide.
Engineering MS departments
MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and ICME generally see admitted students with Quant 168+ (top 8%) and Verbal 160+ (top 16%). Quant is the binding constraint for most engineering admits.
Non-engineering MS departments
MS in Statistics, Earth Systems, and Computational and Mathematical Engineering see admitted students with Quant 165+ and Verbal 158+. Statistics tends to weight Quant most heavily.
GRE-optional departments
Several Stanford MS programs have moved GRE to "not required" or "optional" since 2020. Always check the current departmental admissions page — policy moves year to year.
Frequently asked questions
Does Stanford require the GRE for MS programs?
It varies by department. Some require it, some have made it optional, and a few do not accept it. Check the specific departmental admissions page each year.
What is the average GRE score for admitted Stanford MS students?
Stanford does not publish averages. Admit reports cluster at Q168+ for engineering and Q165+ for sciences.
Can a strong GRE compensate for a weak GPA?
Partially. A strong GRE shows quantitative readiness, but Stanford weights research fit and recommendation letters very heavily.