Which has a higher LSAT median, Columbia University or New York University?

Columbia University has a higher median LSAT of 173, compared to 172. This is a difference of 1 points.

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

Of 136 applicants admitted to both schools, 64% 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 New York University?

Columbia University places 65.4% of graduates into large law firms (501+ attorneys), compared to 54.1% for the other school.

Columbia University vs New York University

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

Cross-Admit Decision Data

Of 136 applicants admitted to both schools:

Chose CLS Chose NYU

64%

36%

Median scholarship: $81,000 Median scholarship: $78,000

Based on 136 self-reported cross-admit decisions from the last 5 cycles

View all-time data (756 cross-admits)

69% chose CLS 31% chose NYU

756 total cross-admit decisions (all cycles)

CLS is #5 · NYU is #8 in the LSD rankings

See full LSD.Law school rankings →

About this comparison

This page compares Columbia University and New York University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 136 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 136 applicants admitted to both schools, 64% chose to attend Columbia University. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.

Both schools are closely ranked in U.S. News: #8 and #10, separated by just 2 positions, making cross-admit data especially useful for deciding between them.

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

Employment outcomes differ substantially: Columbia University places 65.4% of graduates into large law firm positions, compared to 54.1% for the other school. This 11 percentage point gap is significant for applicants targeting BigLaw careers.

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	NYU
USN Rank	#10	#8 ▲
LSD Rank	#5 (2.470) ▲	#8 (1.509)
LSAT 25th	169	169
LSAT Median	173 ▲	172
LSAT 75th	175 ▲	174
GPA Median	3.92	3.92
Acceptance Rate	11.8% ▲	13.4%
Class Size	444	452
Yield Rate	36.8% ▲	30.4%

Financial Comparison

2025 ABA 509

Tuition, scholarships, and debt burden at each school.

Metric	CLS	NYU
Tuition (In-State)	$85,368	$83,952 ▲
Tuition (Out-of-State)	$85,368	$83,952 ▲
Median Grant	$32,000 ▲	$20,000
% Receiving Grants	54.0%	66.0% ▲
Avg. Debt at Graduation	-	-

Employment Outcomes

2024 ABA 509

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

Metric	CLS	NYU
BigLaw (501+)	65.4% ▲	54.1%
Judicial Clerkships	6.5%	7.1% ▲
Median Salary (Private)	-	-
Employment Rate	95.6% ▲	92.9%
Bar Pass Rate	95.8%	96.7% ▲

Cross-Admit Decisions by Cycle

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

CLS NYU

Cycle	Split	Total
2024-2025	56% 44%	32
2023-2024	57% 43%	35
2022-2023	73% 27%	40
2021-2022	67% 33%	27
2020-2021	48% 52%	58
2019-2020	59% 41%	32
2018-2019	72% 28%	18
2017-2018	79% 21%	34
2016-2017	56% 44%	27
2015-2016	76% 24%	21
2014-2015	64% 36%	25
2013-2014	70% 30%	23
2012-2013	82% 18%	34
2011-2012	81% 19%	31
2010-2011	69% 31%	35
2009-2010	69% 31%	52
2008-2009	80% 20%	40
2007-2008	70% 30%	47
2006-2007	83% 17%	47
2005-2006	80% 20%	54
2004-2005	69% 31%	32
2003-2004	50% 50%	10