Harvard University vs University of Chicago

This page compares Harvard University and University of Chicago across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 195 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 195 applicants admitted to both schools, 86% 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: #3 and #6, separated by just 3 positions, making cross-admit data especially useful for deciding between them.

Harvard University is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, while University of Chicago is in Chicago, Illinois. 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 $83,316. Combined with employment rates of 90.7% (HLS) and 97.0% (UC), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants, Harvard University offered a median scholarship of $90,000 compared to $75,000, a difference of $15,000 that may factor into enrollment decisions.