Stanford Master of Science in Management Science & Engineering (MS&E – Analytics Track)

The Stanford University Master of Science in Management Science & Engineering (MS&E) program is a full-time, STEM-designated program located at the Stanford campus in California. The program allows students to integrate engineering, operations research, economics, and modern analytics to prepare for technical and strategic leadership careers. The program also offers various focus areas including Financial Analytics, Operations Research, Technology and Engineering Management, and Data Science.

The flexible Stanford University Master of Science in Management Science & Engineering (MS&E) program allows students to build technical foundations in engineering, operations research, economics, and modern analytics while specializing in one of eight specialty areas: Computational Social Science, Data and Decisions, Financial Analytics, Technology and Engineering Management, Advanced Technologies and Applications, Decision Analysis and Risk Analysis, Energy and Environment, or Health Systems Modeling.

The MS&E program requires a minimum of 45 course units structured across core analytical foundations, primary concentrations, project coursework, and electives. Students complete core requirements consisting of three letter-graded courses (9–12 units) across optimization, probability, and decision sciences. The primary concentration requires 12 to 24 units of specialized coursework. For example, if a student wants to concentrate in Financial Analytics, the student needs to complete specific quantitative methods and finance fundamentals courses, alongside project courses featuring practical, data-driven team projects and case studies. The curriculum also mandates completion of one project course or two integrated project courses (0–8 units) and offers flexible electives (1–24 units) drawn from across Stanford Engineering and the broader university to fulfill the 45-unit total.

The Stanford University MS&E program class profile reflects a highly selective applicant pool with an average undergraduate college GPA of 3.89. While exact total enrollment numbers and average work experience months are not formally published by the department, admitted students average a 167 in GRE Quantitative and a 159 in GRE Verbal. Their most common undergraduate majors are engineering, mathematics, computer science, and economics.

The Stanford MS&E program offers career guidance and interview preparation via the Stanford Engineering Career Center (SECC) and the department’s dedicated career services. Students can also hone their leadership skills by working with career advisors and participating in professional development workshops tailored to technical management.

Students receive personal coaching from the career services staff, helping students to clarify their career goals and explore career paths in technology, management consulting, financial analytics, and operations. The career center provides students with effective job search techniques, job specific coaching as well as access to the extensive Stanford engineering and alumni network.

For the 2026–27 academic year, the Stanford MS&E program tuition is based on Engineering graduate rates, totaling approximately $65,520 ($21,815 per quarter for full-time 11–18 unit quarters). This does not include other fees and living expenses, which are estimated to be about $49,116 for the academic year (or $61,142 for a full 12-month budget including non-tuition expenses like rent, food, and health insurance).

Regarding financial aid, all MS&E applicants are evaluated for departmental fellowship opportunities, and all applicants are eligible for private student loans. To be eligible for federal financial aid programs, US applicants must submit a FAFSA. There are additional financial aid options for U.S. Veterans, including VA benefits and institutional support structures provided through Stanford Financial Aid.

To apply to the Stanford University MS&E Program, applicants need to submit the following materials:

• Online Application
• Statement of Purpose (no more than two pages, single-spaced)
• Letters of Recommendation (3)
• Scanned Transcripts (including grading scales, degree certificates or diplomas for completed degrees, and transcripts from part-time or current Stanford study if applicable)
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Selection of at least one Academic Interest / Specialty Area
• Official GRE score (required of all applicants, taken by the application deadline; school code 4704)
• Official TOEFL or IELTS score (minimum expected score of 100 for TOEFL or 7.5 for IELTS, if applicable; school code 4704)
• Application fee of $125 (non-refundable; fee waivers available for qualifying applicants)
• Optional Abstract of Paper (no more than two pages, single-spaced, including a link to the full paper)

The Stanford MS&E program evaluates applications for the upcoming autumn intake based on a fixed annual deadline. The key date is as follows:

• Term of Entry: Autumn quarter only
• Application Opens: Late September
• Application Deadline: December 1, 2026 (11:59 PM PST) for Autumn entry. The deadline is final and late applications will not be accepted.
• Decision Notification: Released all at once by mid-March.