Columbia University vs University of Virginia

This page compares Columbia University and University of Virginia across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 65 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 65 applicants admitted to both schools, 57% 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 Virginia is ranked #4 compared to #10 — a gap of 6 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 Virginia is in Charlottesville, Virginia. 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 Virginia has lower tuition at $74,078 per year compared to $85,368. Combined with employment rates of 95.6% (CLS) and 95.3% (UVA), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants, University of Virginia offered a median scholarship of $150,000 compared to $111,000, a difference of $39,000 that may factor into enrollment decisions.