Cornell University vs University of Pennsylvania

This page compares Cornell University and University of Pennsylvania across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 61 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 61 applicants admitted to both schools, 90% 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 #18 — a gap of 13 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

University of Pennsylvania is significantly more selective, with an acceptance rate of 8.1% compared to Cornell University's 18.2%.

Cornell University is located in Ithaca, 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 $84,722. Combined with employment rates of 98.0% (Cornell University) and 92.8% (UPenn), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants, Cornell University offered a median scholarship of $150,000 compared to $135,000, a difference of $15,000 that may factor into enrollment decisions.