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Head-to-head · 60 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 100% chose HLS. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 60 self-reported decisions and ABA 509 filings.

Choice, not ranking

These are decisions, not opinions. Scholarship offers, location, intended practice, and personal fit are all priced into the split.

60
cross-admits
10
cycles
+0pt
YoY shift

Cross-admit decision

Of 60 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
Fordham University logo Chose Fordham
0%
Chose HLS Harvard University logo
100%

Median scholarship (chose Fordham)

$135,000 / yr

Median scholarship (chose HLS)

$102,175 / yr
View all-time (117 cross-admits)
0% chose Fordham 100% chose HLS

Trend · Fordham's share

2005–2025
0%
every cycle (10)
100 50 0 05 11 12 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 2005: 0% 2011: 0% 2012: 0% 2019: 0% 2020: 0% 2021: 0% 2022: 0% 2023: 0% 2024: 0% 2025: 0%
Fordham #24 · HLS #2 LSD n≈8/yr

Admissions

Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield
2025 ABA 509
Metric
Fordham University logo
Fordham
Bronx, New York
Harvard University logo
HLS
Cambridge, Massachusetts
USN Rank
#42
#6
LSD Rank
#24 (0.027)
#2 (19.575)
LSAT 25th
165
171
LSAT Median
168
174
LSAT 75th
170
176
GPA Median
3.79
3.96
Acceptance Rate
16.2%
9.2%
Class Size
444
579
Yield Rate
30.3%
59.2%

Financial

Sticker price and scholarship aid
2025 ABA 509
Metric
Fordham University logo
Fordham
Bronx, New York
Harvard University logo
HLS
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Tuition (In-State)
$78,078
$77,100
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$78,078
$77,100
Median Grant
$35,000
$27,510
% Receiving Grants
87.0%
38.0%

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2025 ABA Employment
Metric
Fordham University logo
Fordham
Bronx, New York
Harvard University logo
HLS
Cambridge, Massachusetts
BigLaw (501+)
44.8%
53.5%
Judicial Clerkships
6.4%
19.6%
Median Salary (Private)
-
-
Employment Rate
90.2%
96.7%
Bar Pass Rate
93.0%
97.9%

Overview

About Fordham vs HLS

Across 60 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 0% enrolled at Fordham University and 100% at Harvard University.

These numbers reflect every factor that goes into a real decision: scholarship offers, geographic preference, intended practice area, and fit. Choosing one school doesn't mean it's "better" — it means the pool of cross-admits, weighing their options, ended up there more often. Pair this with the scholarship distribution and employment outcomes above for full context.

Looking at a different matchup? Browse all comparisons or run a custom pair from the index.

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Detailed comparison narrative

This page compares Fordham University and Harvard University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 60 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 60 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 #42 — a gap of 36 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 168, a gap of 6 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 Fordham University's 16.2%.

Fordham University is located in Bronx, New York, 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.

Among cross-admitted applicants, Fordham University offered a median scholarship of $135,000 compared to $102,175, a difference of $32,825 that may factor into enrollment decisions.