This page compares University of Michigan and University of California—Berkeley across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 74 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 74 applicants admitted to both schools, 51% chose to attend University of Michigan. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.

In the U.S. News rankings, University of Michigan is ranked #9 compared to #16 — a gap of 7 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

University of Michigan is significantly more selective, with an acceptance rate of 8.6% compared to University of California—Berkeley's 14.8%.

University of Michigan is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, 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 $76,108. Combined with employment rates of 97.7% (UMich) and 97.9% (UCBerkeley), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants who enrolled, those choosing University of Michigan reported a higher median scholarship — $135,000 versus $120,000 over three years — though aid is one of several factors behind the enrollment decision.