Harvard University vs Northeastern University

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

In the U.S. News rankings, Harvard University is ranked #6 compared to #77 — a gap of 71 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 164, a gap of 10 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 Northeastern University's 24.2%.

Both schools are located in Massachusetts — Harvard University in Cambridge and Northeastern University in Boston — meaning graduates often compete in the same regional legal market.

Employment outcomes differ substantially: Harvard University places 51.4% of graduates into large law firm positions, compared to 19.6% for the other school. This 32 percentage point gap is significant for applicants targeting BigLaw careers.

On cost, Northeastern University has lower tuition at $65,652 per year compared to $77,100. Combined with employment rates of 90.7% (HLS) and 91.1% (NUSL), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants, Northeastern University offered a median scholarship of $181,224 compared to $103,500, a difference of $77,724 that may factor into enrollment decisions.