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Cross-Admit Decision Data
Of 52 applicants admitted to both schools:
Based on 52 self-reported cross-admit decisions from the last 5 cycles
View all-time data (109 cross-admits)
109 total cross-admit decisions (all cycles)
Fordham is #24 · HLS is #2 in the LSD rankings
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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 52 applicants admitted to both.
Based on 52 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.
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Admissions Comparison
2025 ABA 509How these schools compare on LSAT, GPA, selectivity, and class composition.
| Metric | Fordham | HLS |
|---|---|---|
| USN Rank | #42 | #6 ▲ |
| LSD Rank | #24 (0.027) | #2 (19.371) ▲ |
| 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 509Tuition, 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 509Post-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% ▲ |
Cross-Admit Decisions by Cycle
How cross-admit preferences have shifted over recent application cycles.
| Cycle | Split | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-2026 |
0%
|
8 |
| 2024-2025 |
0%
|
14 |
| 2023-2024 |
0%
|
13 |
| 2022-2023 |
0%
|
10 |
| 2021-2022 |
0%
|
7 |
| 2020-2021 |
0%
|
5 |
| 2019-2020 |
0%
|
5 |
| 2012-2013 |
0%
|
5 |
| 2011-2012 |
0%
|
5 |
| 2005-2006 |
0%
|
6 |
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