This page compares Columbia University and Arizona State University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 21 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 21 applicants admitted to both schools, 100% chose to attend Columbia University. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.

In the U.S. News rankings, Columbia University is ranked #9 compared to #44 — a gap of 35 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

There is a meaningful difference in admissions competitiveness: Columbia University has a median LSAT of 173 compared to 165, a gap of 8 points. This suggests applicants to Columbia University face a more competitive admissions pool.

Columbia University is significantly more selective, with an acceptance rate of 11.8% compared to Arizona State University's 19.8%.

Columbia University is located in New York City, New York, while Arizona State University is in Tempe, Arizona. Regional placement matters: graduates tend to find employment near their law school, so location should factor into your decision alongside rankings and cost.

Employment outcomes differ substantially: Columbia University places 70.1% of graduates into large law firm positions, compared to 14.5% for the other school. This 56 percentage point gap is significant for applicants targeting BigLaw careers.

On cost, Arizona State University has lower tuition at $28,390 per year compared to $85,368. Combined with employment rates of 97.2% (CLS) and 93.8% (ASU), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.