Columbia University vs University of Chicago

This page compares Columbia University and University of Chicago across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 75 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 75 applicants admitted to both schools, 52% 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, University of Chicago is ranked #3 compared to #10 — a gap of 7 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 Chicago is in Chicago, Illinois. 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 48.7% for the other school. This 17 percentage point gap is significant for applicants targeting BigLaw careers.

Among cross-admitted applicants, Columbia University offered a median scholarship of $90,000 compared to $45,000, a difference of $45,000 that may factor into enrollment decisions.