Summary
- Musk enrolled in a PhD program in applied physics at Stanford University in 1995 but left after just two days to “do business sh#t”, as he likes to say.
- Under his hand, Google has attained a market value of $2 Trillion, making it one of the largest companies in the world.
- In 2015 he was made CEO of Google, and in 2019, he was appointed CEO of Alphabet Inc.
Stanford University Notable Alumni: Success Stories and Career Paths
Stanford was founded in 1885, and the Stanford Alumni Association in 1892. Since then, more than 220,000 individuals have graduated from the hallowed halls of this world-famous institution. Over the years, it has produced some of the most influential figures in technology, business, arts, sports, and politics.
And, given the prestige, there are hundreds, if not thousands of notable Stanford university alumni. For instance, Stanford has produced 84 Nobel laureates and 29 Turing Award winners.
Whittling that number down to just the most influential is a task that whole teams of researchers will fail to do, but here’s our take on it.
Here are the 20 most notable Stanford University alumni:
1. Sundar Pichai
Known For: CEO of Alphabet Inc. and Google
Years: 1972-present
Country of Origin: India
Stanford Degree: MS in Material Science and Engineering
Sundar Pichai began his journey in Chennai, India, and is now one of the biggest names in tech history. He completed his MS at Stanford and then proceeded to pursue an MBA from Wharton. Having joined Google in 2004, he initially worked on product management for Chrome and ChromeOS. He steadily climbed the ranks and oversaw Android, Gmail, and G-drive. In 2015 he was made CEO of Google, and in 2019, he was appointed CEO of Alphabet Inc., Google’s parent company. Under his hand, Google has attained a market value of $2 Trillion, making it one of the largest companies in the world.
2. Elon Musk
Known For: CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, X (formerly Twitter), Neuralink, and The Boring Company
Years: 1971 – Present
Country of Origin: South Africa
Stanford Degree: Ph.D. program in Physics
Elon Musk is one of the most famous Stanford alumni, even though his time at the university was brief. Musk enrolled in a PhD program in applied physics at Stanford University in 1995 but left after just two days to “do business sh#t”, as he likes to say.. Musk has almost single-handedly brought electric cars to the mainstream, and of course, PayPal can’t be understated either. Meanwhile, through SpaceX, he has advanced private space exploration with innovations like reusable rockets and plans for Mars colonization. Musk is consistently ranked among the world’s wealthiest people, making his story one of extraordinary success and innovation.
3. Peter Thiel
Known For: Tech Investor, Co-founder of PayPal
Years: 1967-present
Country of Origin: Germany
Stanford Degree: BA Philosophy, JD Law
Another notable Stanford University alumni, Thiel co-founded PayPal with fellow Stanford student Elon Musk. After Stanford, he became Facebook’s first outside investor with a $500,000 investment now worth billions. He co-founded Palantir Technologies and established the Thiel Fellowship, which pays students to drop out of college to pursue entrepreneurial ventures. His contrarian views and successful investments have made him one of tech’s most influential figures.
4. Rishi Sunak
Known For: Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Years: 1980-present
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Stanford Degree: MBA (2006)
One of the most notable Stanford University alumni is Rishi Sunak. He is the first British Asian Prime Minister and has worked at Goldman Sachs and other hedge funds before politics. Also, Sunak was a star at Stanford, being top of his class, and a Fulbright scholar. At the time he would have been one of the few students at Stanford University who were also Fulbright recipients. His Stanford education played a crucial role in shaping his economic policies. Elected as MP in 2015, he quickly rose through Conservative Party ranks, serving as Chancellor of the Exchequer during the COVID-19 pandemic, where he implemented the furlough scheme. In October 2022, he became Prime Minister, making him one of the most influential people in the world.
5. Reid Hoffman
Known For: Co-founder of LinkedIn, Partner at Greylock
Years: 1967-present
Country of Origin: USA
Stanford Degree: BS in Symbolic Systems
Another one of Stanford University’s notable alumni in the world of tech, Hoffman co-founded LinkedIn in 2003. It was a revolution as far as professional networking went and is still the de facto professional social network 2 decades on. He says that his Stanford education in Symbolic Systems “provided the perfect foundation” to understand how humans and computers interact. Before LinkedIn, he served as an executive at PayPal, becoming part of the “PayPal Mafia.” After selling LinkedIn to Microsoft for $26.2 billion in 2016, he became a partner at Greylock Partners, investing in companies like Airbnb and Facebook. He’s also authored several bestselling books on entrepreneurship and is known for his work in artificial intelligence ventures.
6. Sam Altman
Known For: CEO of OpenAI
Years: 1985-present
Country of Origin: USA
Stanford Degree: (Computer Science)
Yet another addition to the tech section of notable Stanford University alumni. After leaving Stanford, he co-founded Loopt, raising over $30M in venture funding. As president of Y Combinator (2014-2019), he helped launch over 3,000 companies. Now as OpenAI’s CEO, he’s at the forefront of artificial intelligence development, leading the company that created ChatGPT and GPT-4. Though he had a bit of a rocky road during OpenAI’s leadership crisis last year, he’s since pulled through and mainstreamed the use of AI for the rest of the world.
7. Sergey Brin
Known For: Co-founder of Google, Board Member of Alphabet
Years: 1973-present
Country of Origin: Russia
Stanford Degree: MS in Computer Science (1995)
When we talk about notable Stanford University alumni, we cannot leave out the man who invented internet searching as we know it. Brin met Larry Page during his PhD program at Stanford, and they co-founded Google together in 1998. And the rest, as they say, is his story. While completing the PhD, Brin made the algorithm called “PageRank”, which became the foundation for Google. Brin was also the president of Alphabet Inc. until 2019 and is right now worth over $110 billion. He remains on Alphabet’s board while focusing on emerging technologies like AI and robotics.
8. Larry Page
Known For: Co-founder of Google
Years: 1973 – Present
Country of Origin: United States
Stanford Degree: Master’s in Computer Science
Larry Page, alongside Sergey Brin, co-founded Google while pursuing graduate studies at Stanford. The duo’s creation of Google in 1998 pretty much set the tone for how the world accesses information, even today. Later, he served as the CEO of Alphabet Inc., and is the reason why Google’s parent company went into ventures like AI and autonomous vehicles. His vision and innovation have made him a global leader in technology and entrepreneurship.
9. Reed Hastings
Known For: Executive Chairman of Netflix
Years: 1960-present
Country of Origin: USA
Stanford Degree: MS in Computer Science (1988)
Hastings co-founded Netflix in 1997. He also turned Netflix from a DVD-by-mail service into a streaming subscription model. Under his CEO tenure (1997-2022), Netflix grew to over 230 million subscribers and pretty much invented original content production. His leadership style and company culture have been widely studied, with his book “No Rules Rules” becoming a business bestseller.
10. Phil Knight
Known For: Co-founder and Chairman Emeritus of Nike
Years: 1938-present
Country of Origin: USA
Stanford Degree: MBA (1962)
Among famous Stanford alumni in business, Knight just did it. He took the athletic footwear market and made it into a global industry. While at Stanford Business School, he developed the business plan for what would become Nike. Starting by selling Japanese running shoes from his car trunk, he built Nike into a company valued at over $200 billion. He is also one of the largest individual contributors to Stanford, funding-wise. After amassing one of the largest individual fortunes on the planet, he penned the memoir “Shoe Dog”, which is a must-read for all business majors.
11. Kevin Systrom
Known For: Tech Entrepreneur, Co-founder of Instagram
Years: 1983-present
Country of Origin: USA
Stanford Degree: BS in Management Science and Engineering
Kevin, along with fellow Stanford alum Mike Krieger, founded a small photo-sharing service way back in 2010. It was Instagram. This is the man who changed the way we look at social media, forever. And the people loved it — the platform grew to over 50 million users in just two years. Facebook acquired Instagram for $1 billion in 2012, where Systrom continued as CEO until 2018.
12. Reese Witherspoon
Known For: Actress, Producer, Entrepreneur
Years: 1976-present
Country of Origin: USA
Stanford Degree: English Literature
Aside from being an Academy-Award-winning actress, Witherspoon has also founded a company called Hello Sunshine. It is a media conglomerate that focuses on female-led stories. The company sold for $900 million in 2021, instantly taking her from “famous” to the history books. She also has a book club and a retail brand called “Draper James”, both of which are highly profitable and popular.
13. Katie Ledecky
Known For: Olympic Gold Medalist Swimmer
Years: 1997 – Present
Country of Origin: United States
Stanford Degree: Bachelor’s in Psychology
Katie Ledecky is one of the most celebrated athletes to emerge from Stanford University. This lady has won no less than seven Olympic gold medals and 21 World Championship golds—the most of any female swimmer in history. Ledecky set and broke multiple world records, including many of her own, while studying the academically rigorous psychology program at Stanford. She is widely regarded as the greatest female swimmer of all time. Her discipline, work ethic, and determination make her an inspiration to students and athletes alike.
14. Sigourney Weaver
Known For: Award-winning Actress and Icon of Science Fiction
Years: 1949 – Present
Country of Origin: United States
Stanford Degree: Bachelor’s in English Literature
Weaver is a household name in Hollywood, though the current generation probably hasn’t heard of her. She is most famous for her role in the “Alien” franchise as Ellen Ripley. Over her career, she’s gotten two Golden Globes, which is two more than 95% of actors out there today. She also worked in films like “Gorillas in the Mist”, and the box office demolishing “Avatar”.
15. Tiger Woods
Known For: Legendary Professional Golfer
Years: 1975 – Present
Country of Origin: United States
Stanford Degree: Studied Economics (Did not complete degree)
Tiger Woods, one of the most successful golfers in history, is another example of notable Stanford University alumni. While studying economics at Stanford, Woods won multiple amateur championships, which got him scouted for the pro leagues. He went on to dominate professional golf, earning 15 major championships and 82 PGA Tour victories.
16. Mukesh Ambani
Known For: Chairman and Managing Director of Reliance Industries
Years: 1957 – Present
Country of Origin: India
Stanford Degree: Dropped out of MBA program
Mukesh Ambani, one of the richest men in the world, is also a member of the Stanford Alumni Association, despite not graduating. While he did not complete his MBA, Ambani used his time at Stanford to refine his vision for business. Returning to India to join Reliance Industries, he expanded the company from textiles into a global conglomerate spanning petrochemicals, telecommunications, and retail. Ambani is credited with revolutionizing India’s telecom sector with Jio, which brought affordable internet to millions. Though a controversial figure, there is zero doubt that he’s one of the most notable Stanford University alumni.
17. Issa Rae
Known For: Actress, Writer, and Producer
Years: 1985 – Present
Country of Origin: United States
Stanford Degree: Bachelor’s in African and African-American Studies
Issa Rae emerged as one of the most influential names in entertainment through her YouTube series, Awkward Black Girl. Then, she reached new heights with HBO’s Insecure, which garnered multiple Emmy nominations. At Stanford, Rae cultivated her storytelling talent by creating many, many stage productions and studying the African diaspora. Her work focuses on underrepresented voices, and she is considered a cultural icon.
18. Herbert Hoover
Known For: 31st President of United States (1874-1964)
Years: 1874 – 1964
Country of Origin: USA
Stanford Degree: BS Geology (1895)
Hoover was in Stanford’s pioneer class. Before his presidency, he built a successful career as a mining engineer and humanitarian, leading European relief efforts after World War I. Though his presidency was marked by the Great Depression, his Stanford legacy includes the Hoover Institution, an influential public policy think tank.
19. Sandra Day O’Connor
Known For: Retired Supreme Court Justice
Years: 1930-2023
Country of Origin: USA
Stanford Degree: BA Economics, LLB Law
O’Connor became the first woman appointed to the Supreme Court (1981-2006). At Stanford Law, she graduated third in her class despite gender discrimination. Before her Supreme Court tenure, she served as Arizona’s first female Senate Majority Leader. Known for her pragmatic approach, she was often the crucial swing vote on landmark cases involving abortion rights, affirmative action, and election law.
20. Jensen Huang
Known For: CEO and Co-founder of NVIDIA
Years: 1963-present
Country of Origin: Taiwan
Stanford Degree: MS Electrical Engineering
One of the most notable Stanford University alumni, Huang started out as a janitor, mopping toilets. Huang would go on to co-found NVIDIA in 1993. From focusing initially on computer gaming graphics, he transformed NVIDIA into an AI computing powerhouse worth over $2 trillion. Under his leadership, NVIDIA became crucial to cryptocurrency mining, autonomous vehicles, and particularly artificial intelligence – with their chips powering most major AI developments. His $50 million donation to Stanford helped establish the Jen-Hsun Huang School of Engineering.
And those were our top 20 most notable Stanford alumni. From tech giants like Larry Page and Kevin Systrom to cultural icons like Issa Rae and Tiger Woods, the accomplishments of these graduates have changed the world, forever.
The thought of belonging to a university with such remarkable alumni is undeniably motivating. But the reality of pursuing a master’s degree at Stanford comes with a significant financial commitment. For international students, the cost can range from $100,000 to $200,000, depending on the program. This steep price tag is often a barrier for many.
For students aiming to bridge this financial gap, education loans can be the key. That’s where FundRight (by GradRight) makes the process easier and more efficient.
Here’s how FundRight works:
- You fill out a single application with your academic and financial details.
- 15+ trusted lenders, including top Indian and international banks, bid for your loan.
- This competitive process ensures you receive personalized loan offers with low interest rates.
- Say goodbye to paperwork and long bank visits—it’s entirely app-based and free for applicants.
- With expert financial advice, you can finalize your loan offer and get your funds in as little as 10 days.
Whether you’re drawn to Stanford’s legacy of innovation or its global network, FundRight ensures you can focus on your goals without worrying about financial hurdles.
Now, let’s move on to some FAQs about Stanford to help you make an informed decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is Stanford University’s most famous alumnus?
Currently, Elon Musk is likely Stanford’s most famous alumnus. Among others, Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin are probably the most renowned, having created one of the world’s most valuable companies (Google) while at Stanford.
2. Who is the most famous Indian alumni of Stanford University?
Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Alphabet (Google’s parent company), is among the most well-known Indian alumni. Rishi Sunak, a UK politician and erstwhile UK PM and Tory leader is a close second.
3. Are there any famous actors who went to Stanford?
Yes, Reese Witherspoon and Issa Rae are notable actors who attended Stanford.
4. Which famous athletes have graduated from Stanford University?
Stanford has produced many famous athletes, including Tiger Woods (golf), Katie Ledecky (swimming), Andrew Luck (football), and Christian McCaffrey (football).
