New York University vs University of Pennsylvania

This page compares New York University and University of Pennsylvania across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 96 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 96 applicants admitted to both schools, 63% chose to attend University of Pennsylvania. 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: #5 and #8, separated by just 3 positions, making cross-admit data especially useful for deciding between them.

University of Pennsylvania is significantly more selective, with an acceptance rate of 8.1% compared to New York University's 13.4%.

New York University is located in New York City, New York, while University of Pennsylvania is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Pennsylvania has lower tuition at $78,348 per year compared to $83,952. Combined with employment rates of 92.9% (NYU) and 92.8% (UPenn), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants, University of Pennsylvania offered a median scholarship of $134,000 compared to $97,500, a difference of $36,500 that may factor into enrollment decisions.