University of Pennsylvania vs University of Southern California

This page compares University of Pennsylvania and University of Southern California across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 39 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 39 applicants admitted to both schools, 95% chose to attend University of Pennsylvania. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.

In the U.S. News rankings, University of Pennsylvania is ranked #5 compared to #26 — a gap of 21 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

There is a meaningful difference in admissions competitiveness: University of Pennsylvania has a median LSAT of 173 compared to 169, a gap of 4 points. This suggests applicants to University of Pennsylvania face a more competitive admissions pool.

University of Pennsylvania is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 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 Pennsylvania has lower tuition at $78,348 per year compared to $84,034. Combined with employment rates of 92.8% (UPenn) 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 $172,500 compared to $131,000, a difference of $41,500 that may factor into enrollment decisions.