University of California—Berkeley vs University of Chicago

This page compares University of California—Berkeley and University of Chicago across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 58 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 58 applicants admitted to both schools, 79% chose to attend University of Chicago. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.

In the U.S. News rankings, University of Chicago is ranked #3 compared to #13 — a gap of 10 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

There is a meaningful difference in admissions competitiveness: University of Chicago has a median LSAT of 174 compared to 170, a gap of 4 points. This suggests applicants to University of Chicago face a more competitive admissions pool.

University of Chicago is significantly more selective, with an acceptance rate of 9.7% compared to University of California—Berkeley's 14.8%.

University of California—Berkeley is located in Berkeley, 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, University of California—Berkeley has lower tuition at $62,532 per year compared to $83,316. Combined with employment rates of 93.6% (UCBerkeley) and 97.0% (UC), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants, University of California—Berkeley offered a median scholarship of $105,000 compared to $60,000, a difference of $45,000 that may factor into enrollment decisions.