Stanford University vs University of Chicago

This page compares Stanford University and University of Chicago across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 72 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 72 applicants admitted to both schools, 88% chose to attend Stanford University. 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: #1 and #3, separated by just 2 positions, making cross-admit data especially useful for deciding between them.

Stanford University is significantly more selective, with an acceptance rate of 6.1% compared to University of Chicago's 9.7%.

Stanford University is located in Stanford, California, while University of Chicago is in Chicago, Illinois. 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, Stanford University has lower tuition at $77,454 per year compared to $83,316. Combined with employment rates of 85.9% (SLS) and 97.0% (UC), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants, Stanford University offered a median scholarship of $145,000 compared to $108,750, a difference of $36,250 that may factor into enrollment decisions.