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Side-by-side comparison of admissions, costs, and outcomes
View all-time data (468 cross-admits)
468 total cross-admit decisions (all cycles)
HLS is #2 · UVA is #7 in the LSD rankings
See full LSD.Law school rankings →About this comparison
This page compares Harvard University and University of Virginia across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 136 applicants admitted to both.
Based on 136 applicants admitted to both schools, 90% 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: #4 and #6, separated by just 2 positions, making cross-admit data especially useful for deciding between them.
Harvard University is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, while University of Virginia is in Charlottesville, Virginia. Regional placement matters: graduates tend to find employment near their law school, so location should factor into your decision alongside rankings and cost.
Among cross-admitted applicants, University of Virginia offered a median scholarship of $135,000 compared to $110,625, a difference of $24,375 that may factor into enrollment decisions.
Compare Another Pair
Admissions Comparison
2025 ABA 509How these schools compare on LSAT, GPA, selectivity, and class composition.
| Metric | HLS | UVA |
|---|---|---|
| USN Rank | #6 | #4 ▲ |
| LSD Rank | #2 (21.678) ▲ | #7 (1.701) |
| LSAT 25th | 171 ▲ | 168 |
| LSAT Median | 174 ▲ | 173 |
| LSAT 75th | 176 ▲ | 175 |
| GPA Median | 3.96 | 3.99 ▲ |
| Acceptance Rate | 9.2% ▲ | 10.2% |
| Class Size | 579 | 309 |
| Yield Rate | 59.2% ▲ | 44.1% |
Financial Comparison
2025 ABA 509Tuition, scholarships, and debt burden at each school.
| Metric | HLS | UVA |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition (In-State) | $77,100 | $74,078 ▲ |
| Tuition (Out-of-State) | $77,100 | $76,396 ▲ |
| Median Grant | $27,510 | $35,000 ▲ |
| % Receiving Grants | 38.0% | 66.0% ▲ |
| Avg. Debt at Graduation | - | - |
Employment Outcomes
2024 ABA 509Post-graduation employment placement, salaries, and bar passage.
| Metric | HLS | UVA |
|---|---|---|
| BigLaw (501+) | 51.4% | 60.2% ▲ |
| Judicial Clerkships | 21.4% ▲ | 16.4% |
| Median Salary (Private) | - | - |
| Employment Rate | 90.7% | 95.3% ▲ |
| Bar Pass Rate | 97.9% ▲ | 95.0% |
Cross-Admit Decisions by Cycle
How cross-admit preferences have shifted over recent application cycles.
| Cycle | Split | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-2025 |
85%
|
41 |
| 2023-2024 |
96%
|
27 |
| 2022-2023 |
82%
|
33 |
| 2021-2022 |
97%
|
34 |
| 2020-2021 |
93%
|
14 |
| 2019-2020 |
100%
|
22 |
| 2018-2019 |
82%
|
17 |
| 2017-2018 |
69%
|
16 |
| 2016-2017 |
79%
|
14 |
| 2015-2016 |
100%
|
10 |
| 2014-2015 |
100%
|
12 |
| 2013-2014 |
79%
|
14 |
| 2012-2013 |
100%
|
28 |
| 2011-2012 |
100%
|
26 |
| 2010-2011 |
100%
|
8 |
| 2009-2010 |
88%
|
8 |
| 2008-2009 |
100%
|
25 |
| 2007-2008 |
96%
|
28 |
| 2006-2007 |
98%
|
40 |
| 2005-2006 |
100%
|
27 |
| 2004-2005 |
94%
|
16 |
| 2003-2004 |
100%
|
7 |
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