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Side-by-side comparison of admissions, costs, and outcomes
View all-time data (1093 cross-admits)
1093 total cross-admit decisions (all cycles)
HLS is #2 · NYU is #8 in the LSD rankings
See full LSD.Law school rankings →Deciding between these schools?
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About this comparison
This page compares Harvard University and New York University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 256 applicants admitted to both.
Based on 256 applicants admitted to both schools, 93% 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 #8, separated by just 2 positions, making cross-admit data especially useful for deciding between them.
Harvard University is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, while New York University is in New York City, New York. Regional placement matters: graduates tend to find employment near their law school, so location should factor into your decision alongside rankings and cost.
On cost, Harvard University has lower tuition at $77,100 per year compared to $83,952. Combined with employment rates of 90.7% (HLS) and 92.9% (NYU), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.
Compare Another Pair
Admissions Comparison
2025 ABA 509How these schools compare on LSAT, GPA, selectivity, and class composition.
| Metric | HLS | NYU |
|---|---|---|
| USN Rank | #6 ▲ | #8 |
| LSD Rank | #2 (19.370) ▲ | #8 (1.380) |
| LSAT 25th | 171 ▲ | 169 |
| LSAT Median | 174 ▲ | 172 |
| LSAT 75th | 176 ▲ | 174 |
| GPA Median | 3.96 ▲ | 3.92 |
| Acceptance Rate | 9.2% ▲ | 13.4% |
| Class Size | 579 | 452 |
| Yield Rate | 59.2% ▲ | 30.4% |
Financial Comparison
2025 ABA 509Tuition, scholarships, and debt burden at each school.
| Metric | HLS | NYU |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition (In-State) | $77,100 ▲ | $83,952 |
| Tuition (Out-of-State) | $77,100 ▲ | $83,952 |
| Median Grant | $27,510 ▲ | $20,000 |
| % Receiving Grants | 38.0% | 66.0% ▲ |
| Avg. Debt at Graduation | - | - |
Employment Outcomes
2024 ABA 509Post-graduation employment placement, salaries, and bar passage.
| Metric | HLS | NYU |
|---|---|---|
| BigLaw (501+) | 51.4% | 54.1% ▲ |
| Judicial Clerkships | 21.4% ▲ | 7.1% |
| Median Salary (Private) | - | - |
| Employment Rate | 90.7% | 92.9% ▲ |
| Bar Pass Rate | 97.9% ▲ | 96.7% |
Cross-Admit Decisions by Cycle
How cross-admit preferences have shifted over recent application cycles.
| Cycle | Split | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-2026 |
100%
|
7 |
| 2024-2025 |
93%
|
59 |
| 2023-2024 |
97%
|
69 |
| 2022-2023 |
91%
|
66 |
| 2021-2022 |
91%
|
55 |
| 2020-2021 |
96%
|
54 |
| 2019-2020 |
98%
|
60 |
| 2018-2019 |
95%
|
41 |
| 2017-2018 |
84%
|
50 |
| 2016-2017 |
95%
|
38 |
| 2015-2016 |
100%
|
38 |
| 2014-2015 |
96%
|
53 |
| 2013-2014 |
98%
|
46 |
| 2012-2013 |
98%
|
52 |
| 2011-2012 |
98%
|
52 |
| 2010-2011 |
98%
|
40 |
| 2009-2010 |
93%
|
40 |
| 2008-2009 |
96%
|
49 |
| 2007-2008 |
98%
|
42 |
| 2006-2007 |
100%
|
53 |
| 2005-2006 |
96%
|
67 |
| 2004-2005 |
95%
|
37 |
| 2003-2004 |
92%
|
25 |
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