This page compares Emory University and Harvard University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 20 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 20 applicants admitted to both schools, 100% chose to attend Harvard University. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.

In the U.S. News rankings, Harvard University is ranked #6 compared to #40 — a gap of 34 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

There is a meaningful difference in admissions competitiveness: Harvard University has a median LSAT of 174 compared to 166, a gap of 8 points. This suggests applicants to Harvard University face a more competitive admissions pool.

Harvard University is significantly more selective, with an acceptance rate of 9.2% compared to Emory University's 30.1%.

Emory University is located in Atlanta, Georgia, while Harvard University is in Cambridge, Massachusetts. 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: Harvard University places 53.5% of graduates into large law firm positions, compared to 29.5% for the other school. This 24 percentage point gap is significant for applicants targeting BigLaw careers.

On cost, Emory University has lower tuition at $69,510 per year compared to $77,100. Combined with employment rates of 91.5% (Emory University) and 96.7% (HLS), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants, Harvard University offered a median scholarship of $153,300 compared to $141,000, a difference of $12,300 that may factor into enrollment decisions.