University of Michigan vs University of Southern California

This page compares University of Michigan and University of Southern California across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 46 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 46 applicants admitted to both schools, 91% 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 #8 compared to #26 — a gap of 18 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

University of Michigan is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, 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, University of Michigan has lower tuition at $76,108 per year compared to $84,034. Combined with employment rates of 95.0% (UMich) 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 $135,000 compared to $120,000, a difference of $15,000 that may factor into enrollment decisions.