New York University vs University of California—Berkeley

This page compares New York University and University of California—Berkeley across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 86 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 86 applicants admitted to both schools, 63% chose to attend New York University. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.

In the U.S. News rankings, New York University is ranked #8 compared to #13 — a gap of 5 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

New York University is located in New York City, New York, 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 $83,952. Combined with employment rates of 92.9% (NYU) and 93.6% (UCBerkeley), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants, University of California—Berkeley offered a median scholarship of $120,000 compared to $91,000, a difference of $29,000 that may factor into enrollment decisions.