Harvard University vs Northwestern University

This page compares Harvard University and Northwestern University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 150 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 150 applicants admitted to both schools, 99% chose to attend Harvard University. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.

Both schools are closely ranked in U.S. News: #6 and #10, separated by just 4 positions, making cross-admit data especially useful for deciding between them.

Harvard University is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, while Northwestern University is in Evanston, Illinois. 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: Northwestern University places 64.1% of graduates into large law firm positions, compared to 51.4% for the other school. This 13 percentage point gap is significant for applicants targeting BigLaw careers.

Among cross-admitted applicants, Northwestern University offered a median scholarship of $180,000 compared to $113,500, a difference of $66,500 that may factor into enrollment decisions.