Harvard University vs University of Southern California

This page compares Harvard University and University of Southern California across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 40 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 40 applicants admitted to both schools, 100% 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 #26 — a gap of 20 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 169, a gap of 5 points. This suggests applicants to Harvard University face a more competitive admissions pool.

Harvard University is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, while University of Southern California 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, Harvard University has lower tuition at $77,100 per year compared to $84,034. Combined with employment rates of 90.7% (HLS) and 95.5% (USC), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants, University of Southern California offered a median scholarship of $180,000 compared to $82,500, a difference of $97,500 that may factor into enrollment decisions.