Boston University vs Columbia University

This page compares Boston University and Columbia University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 61 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 61 applicants admitted to both schools, 93% 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 #10 compared to #22 — a gap of 12 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

Boston University is located in Boston, Massachusetts, while Columbia University is in New York City, New York. 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 65.4% of graduates into large law firm positions, compared to 35.7% for the other school. This 30 percentage point gap is significant for applicants targeting BigLaw careers.

On cost, Boston University has lower tuition at $69,870 per year compared to $85,368. Combined with employment rates of 91.2% (BU) and 95.6% (CLS), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants, Boston University offered a median scholarship of $180,000 compared to $97,500, a difference of $82,500 that may factor into enrollment decisions.