The answer to this should be blatantly obvious. There are bad apples from every "top" programs and there are very bright, top quality people from public, state programs. People have different reasons, preferences why they go to a program over others.
Realize that many MFE programs have a flawed selection process where they don't interview candidates but rely upon their grades. (Do you know of any top MBA programs that admit students without interviewing?) As a result, many applicants with high scores get in who have troubles adapting to the new culture and new teaching style in the US. Some of them only socialize with their own ethnic group, speaking their own languages. Hence, they do not benefit as much as people who take full advantage of the new opportunities available to them.
Now, back to the Stanford program, you should not have to face the lacking info problem in this age and date. Send the program an email asking for all the relevant information so you can learn more about the program. Go to LinkedIn and contact each and all Stanford MSFM alum.
The program should be more than happy to answer all of your queries. If they are not, apply elsewhere.