Which has a higher LSAT median, Columbia University or Cornell University?

Columbia University has a higher median LSAT of 173, compared to 173. This is a difference of 0 points.

When admitted to both Columbia University and Cornell University, which do students choose?

Of 74 applicants admitted to both schools, 95% chose Columbia University. This is based on cross-admit decisions self-reported by LSD.Law users.

Which school has better BigLaw placement, Columbia University or Cornell University?

Cornell University places 71.9% of graduates into large law firms (501+ attorneys), compared to 65.4% for the other school.

Columbia University vs Cornell University

Side-by-side comparison of admissions, costs, and outcomes

Cross-Admit Decision Data

Of 74 applicants admitted to both schools:

Chose CLS Chose Cornell University

95%

Median scholarship: $105,000 Median scholarship: $105,000

Based on 74 self-reported cross-admit decisions from the last 5 cycles

View all-time data (227 cross-admits)

94% chose CLS 6% chose Cornell University

227 total cross-admit decisions (all cycles)

CLS is #5 · Cornell University is #14 in the LSD rankings

See full LSD.Law school rankings →

About this comparison

This page compares Columbia University and Cornell University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 74 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 74 applicants admitted to both schools, 95% 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 #18 — a gap of 8 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

Columbia University is significantly more selective, with an acceptance rate of 11.8% compared to Cornell University's 18.2%.

Both schools are located in New York — Columbia University in New York City and Cornell University in Ithaca — meaning graduates often compete in the same regional legal market.

Compare Another Pair

Admissions Financial Employment Trends Related

Admissions Comparison

2025 ABA 509

How these schools compare on LSAT, GPA, selectivity, and class composition.

Metric	CLS	Cornell University
USN Rank	#10 ▲	#18
LSD Rank	#5 (2.470) ▲	#14 (0.214)
LSAT 25th	169 ▲	168
LSAT Median	173	173
LSAT 75th	175	175
GPA Median	3.92	3.92
Acceptance Rate	11.8% ▲	18.2%
Class Size	444	217
Yield Rate	36.8% ▲	25.1%

Financial Comparison

2025 ABA 509

Tuition, scholarships, and debt burden at each school.

Metric	CLS	Cornell University
Tuition (In-State)	$85,368	$84,722 ▲
Tuition (Out-of-State)	$85,368	$84,722 ▲
Median Grant	$32,000 ▲	$30,000
% Receiving Grants	54.0%	91.0% ▲
Avg. Debt at Graduation	-	-

Employment Outcomes

2024 ABA 509

Post-graduation employment placement, salaries, and bar passage.

Metric	CLS	Cornell University
BigLaw (501+)	65.4%	71.9% ▲
Judicial Clerkships	6.5%	7.1% ▲
Median Salary (Private)	-	-
Employment Rate	95.6%	98.0% ▲
Bar Pass Rate	95.8%	96.4% ▲

Cross-Admit Decisions by Cycle

How cross-admit preferences have shifted over recent application cycles.

CLS Cornell University

Cycle	Split	Total
2024-2025	100% 0%	16
2023-2024	100% 0%	19
2022-2023	94% 6%	16
2021-2022	95% 5%	20
2020-2021	100% 0%	21
2019-2020	100% 0%	10
2018-2019	100% 0%	9
2017-2018	100% 0%	6
2014-2015	78% 22%	9
2013-2014	86% 14%	7
2012-2013	100% 0%	10
2011-2012	100% 0%	8
2010-2011	100% 0%	5
2009-2010	100% 0%	11
2008-2009	100% 0%	13
2007-2008	60% 40%	5
2006-2007	92% 8%	12
2005-2006	100% 0%	10
2004-2005	71% 29%	7