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Stanford University

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Great benefits, but where you work makes a difference - Social Science Research Assistant Stanford University Employee Review

4.0
Dec 6, 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Excellent benefits, especially health care options, on-site highly subsidized fitness classes and world-class athletic facilities, and free public transportation passes with good connections to rail, bus and an extensive campus shuttle system. Beautiful campus with fantastic food. Surrounded by smart, highly-motivated and professional employees. Generous PTO, including 2 weeks of time off during winter closure each year (last 2 weeks of December). Very good 401(b) matching program.

Cons

Every department is it's own little kingdom, so in day-to-day work, your degree of independence, career growth, work-life balance and sense of purpose is hugely dependent on the leadership and policies of the particular department you work in. This is especially true of academic departments, where faculty personalities loom large. Non-faculty research career tracks can end up as a dead end, or feel isolated from the university itself. Even by Silicon Valley standards, Stanford's ranks are full of super-over-achievers, which sets the bar very high and can be a challenge in finding work-life balance, no matter how much emphasis on balance the official administration touts. Housing prices surrounding campus are some of the highest in the Bay Area, so unless you've already made your millions elsewhere, plan on a long commute.

Explore other reviews about Stanford University

5.0
Jul 17, 2026
Anonymous temporary employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Very nice people on team

Cons

Limited flexible with scheduling hours

4.0
Jun 19, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Overall, Stanford is an amazing place to work. The environment and benefits can't be beat. You can go for a swim on your lunch break or a walk around the lake. The recreational classes and opportunities are usually great. Eating at the dining hall, although pricy, is a real treat.

Cons

If you're not senior management, faculty, development, etc., Stanford's pay has not kept up with the cost of living in the area. If you come for a job from outside of California, be prepared for a real shock when you see the kinds of rentals and the prices. Beauty has a price. You will not be able to live near campus as the average employee. Unless you're really familiar with the traffic in California, don't look at places that you think are an hour away, because they'll be two hours away by car. And you'll have to pay to park on campus, so not driving at all is your best option. Many administrative jobs are held by partners of people working in tech or faculty, because that's the only way you can afford to live there. If you don't have a partner making $200K+, you'll be taking the train or bus for an hour. If you're thinking about buying a house and you don't have a suitcase of cash, that sound you're hearing is my laughter. It's also important to realize that the working conditions across campus vary by unit. Working at the Graduate School of Business will seem more like a corporate job; working in Medicine could be brutal; and the treatment you will get can vary by department.

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