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Fordham University vs Harvard University

Side-by-side comparison of admissions, costs, and outcomes

Cross-Admit Decision Data

Of 46 applicants admitted to both schools:

0%
100%
Median scholarship: $135,000 Median scholarship: $131,968

Based on 46 self-reported cross-admit decisions from the last 5 cycles

View all-time data (103 cross-admits)
0% chose Fordham 100% chose HLS

103 total cross-admit decisions (all cycles)

Fordham is #24 · HLS is #2 in the LSD rankings

See full LSD.Law school rankings →
About this comparison

This page compares Fordham University and Harvard University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 46 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 46 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 #38 — a gap of 32 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.

Compare Another Pair

Fordham University
vs
Harvard University

Admissions Comparison

2025 ABA 509

How these schools compare on LSAT, GPA, selectivity, and class composition.

Metric Fordham HLS
USN Rank #38 #6
LSD Rank #24 (0.033) #2 (21.678)
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 Comparison

2025 ABA 509

Tuition, scholarships, and debt burden at each school.

Metric Fordham HLS
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%
Avg. Debt at Graduation - -

Employment Outcomes

2024 ABA 509

Post-graduation employment placement, salaries, and bar passage.

Metric Fordham HLS
BigLaw (501+) 42.2% 51.4%
Judicial Clerkships 4.8% 21.4%
Median Salary (Private) $215,000 -
Employment Rate 94.9% 90.7%
Bar Pass Rate 93.0% 97.9%

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