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Cornell University vs Northwestern University
Side-by-side comparison of admissions, costs, and outcomes
Cross-Admit Decision Data
Of 46 applicants admitted to both schools:
Based on 46 self-reported cross-admit decisions from the last 5 cycles
View all-time data (142 cross-admits)
142 total cross-admit decisions (all cycles)
Cornell University is #14 · NU is #12 in the LSD rankings
See full LSD.Law school rankings →About this comparison
This page compares Cornell University and Northwestern University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 46 applicants admitted to both.
Based on 46 applicants admitted to both schools, 63% chose to attend Northwestern University. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.
In the U.S. News rankings, Northwestern University is ranked #10 compared to #18 — a gap of 8 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.
Cornell University is located in Ithaca, New York, while Northwestern University is in Evanston, Illinois. Regional placement matters: graduates tend to find employment near their law school, so location should factor into your decision alongside rankings and cost.
Among cross-admitted applicants, Northwestern University offered a median scholarship of $165,000 compared to $146,250, a difference of $18,750 that may factor into enrollment decisions.
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Admissions Comparison
2025 ABA 509How these schools compare on LSAT, GPA, selectivity, and class composition.
| Metric | Cornell University | NU |
|---|---|---|
| USN Rank | #18 | #10 ▲ |
| LSD Rank | #14 (0.214) | #12 (0.471) ▲ |
| LSAT 25th | 168 ▲ | 167 |
| LSAT Median | 173 | 173 |
| LSAT 75th | 175 | 175 |
| GPA Median | 3.92 | 3.96 ▲ |
| Acceptance Rate | 18.2% | 12.3% ▲ |
| Class Size | 217 | 250 |
| Yield Rate | 25.1% ▲ | 25.0% |
Financial Comparison
2025 ABA 509Tuition, scholarships, and debt burden at each school.
| Metric | Cornell University | NU |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition (In-State) | $84,722 | $79,772 ▲ |
| Tuition (Out-of-State) | $84,722 | $79,722 ▲ |
| Median Grant | $30,000 | $40,000 ▲ |
| % Receiving Grants | 91.0% ▲ | 76.0% |
| Avg. Debt at Graduation | - | - |
Employment Outcomes
2024 ABA 509Post-graduation employment placement, salaries, and bar passage.
| Metric | Cornell University | NU |
|---|---|---|
| BigLaw (501+) | 71.9% ▲ | 64.1% |
| Judicial Clerkships | 7.1% | 7.4% ▲ |
| Median Salary (Private) | - | - |
| Employment Rate | 98.0% ▲ | 95.6% |
| Bar Pass Rate | 96.4% ▲ | 91.8% |
Cross-Admit Decisions by Cycle
How cross-admit preferences have shifted over recent application cycles.
Cornell University
NU
| Cycle | Split | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-2025 |
0%
|
8 |
| 2023-2024 |
33%
|
12 |
| 2022-2023 |
40%
|
10 |
| 2021-2022 |
50%
|
14 |
| 2020-2021 |
16%
|
19 |
| 2018-2019 |
0%
|
7 |
| 2017-2018 |
0%
|
6 |
| 2016-2017 |
43%
|
7 |
| 2014-2015 |
17%
|
6 |
| 2013-2014 |
29%
|
7 |
| 2010-2011 |
11%
|
9 |
| 2008-2009 |
17%
|
6 |
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