Cornell University vs University of Chicago

This page compares Cornell University and University of Chicago across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 37 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 37 applicants admitted to both schools, 97% chose to attend University of Chicago. 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 #18 — a gap of 15 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

University of Chicago is significantly more selective, with an acceptance rate of 9.7% compared to Cornell University's 18.2%.

Cornell University is located in Ithaca, 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: Cornell University places 71.9% of graduates into large law firm positions, compared to 48.7% for the other school. This 23 percentage point gap is significant for applicants targeting BigLaw careers.

Among cross-admitted applicants, Cornell University offered a median scholarship of $150,000 compared to $48,750, a difference of $101,250 that may factor into enrollment decisions.