Harvard University vs University of California—Berkeley

This page compares Harvard University and University of California—Berkeley across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 134 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 134 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.

In the U.S. News rankings, Harvard University is ranked #6 compared to #13 — a gap of 7 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 170, a gap of 4 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 University of California—Berkeley's 14.8%.

Harvard University is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, while University of California—Berkeley is in Berkeley, California. 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, University of California—Berkeley has lower tuition at $62,532 per year compared to $77,100. Combined with employment rates of 90.7% (HLS) and 93.6% (UCBerkeley), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.