Northwestern University vs University of Virginia

This page compares Northwestern University and University of Virginia across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 67 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 67 applicants admitted to both schools, 81% chose to attend University of Virginia. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.

In the U.S. News rankings, University of Virginia is ranked #4 compared to #10 — a gap of 6 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

Northwestern University is located in Evanston, Illinois, 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.

On cost, University of Virginia has lower tuition at $74,078 per year compared to $79,772. Combined with employment rates of 95.6% (NU) and 95.3% (UVA), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants, Northwestern University offered a median scholarship of $180,000 compared to $146,250, a difference of $33,750 that may factor into enrollment decisions.