Columbia University vs University of Pennsylvania

This page compares Columbia University and University of Pennsylvania across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 83 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 83 applicants admitted to both schools, 51% chose to attend University of Pennsylvania. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.

In the U.S. News rankings, University of Pennsylvania is ranked #5 compared to #10 — a gap of 5 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

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

On cost, University of Pennsylvania has lower tuition at $78,348 per year compared to $85,368. Combined with employment rates of 95.6% (CLS) and 92.8% (UPenn), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants, University of Pennsylvania offered a median scholarship of $135,000 compared to $121,416, a difference of $13,584 that may factor into enrollment decisions.