Harvard University vs Stanford University

This page compares Harvard University and Stanford University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 76 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 76 applicants admitted to both schools, 53% 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, Stanford University is ranked #1 compared to #6 — a gap of 5 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

Stanford University is significantly more selective, with an acceptance rate of 6.1% compared to Harvard University's 9.2%.

Harvard University is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, while Stanford University is in Stanford, California. 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: Harvard University places 51.4% of graduates into large law firm positions, compared to 40.2% for the other school. This 11 percentage point gap is significant for applicants targeting BigLaw careers.

Among cross-admitted applicants, Stanford University offered a median scholarship of $165,000 compared to $91,300, a difference of $73,700 that may factor into enrollment decisions.