Harvard University vs University of California—Los Angeles

This page compares Harvard University and University of California—Los Angeles across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 104 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 104 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 #12 — a gap of 6 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

Harvard University is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, while University of California—Los Angeles is in Los Angeles, 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—Los Angeles has lower tuition at $59,084 per year compared to $77,100. Combined with employment rates of 90.7% (HLS) and 94.4% (UCLA), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants, University of California—Los Angeles offered a median scholarship of $127,500 compared to $100,125, a difference of $27,375 that may factor into enrollment decisions.