CUNY vs New York University

This page compares CUNY and New York University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes using official ABA 509 disclosures.

In the U.S. News rankings, New York University is ranked #7 compared to #171 — a gap of 164 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

There is a meaningful difference in admissions competitiveness: New York University has a median LSAT of 172 compared to 155, a gap of 17 points. This suggests applicants to New York University face a more competitive admissions pool.

New York University is significantly more selective, with an acceptance rate of 13.4% compared to CUNY's 28.6%.

Both schools are located in New York — CUNY in Queens and New York University in New York City — meaning graduates often compete in the same regional legal market.

Employment outcomes differ substantially: New York University places 54.1% of graduates into large law firm positions, compared to 2.3% for the other school. This 52 percentage point gap is significant for applicants targeting BigLaw careers.

On cost, CUNY has lower tuition at $15,450 per year compared to $83,952. Combined with employment rates of 75.1% (CUNY) and 92.9% (NYU), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants, New York University offered a median scholarship of $210,000 compared to $100,000, a difference of $110,000 that may factor into enrollment decisions.