University of California—Berkeley vs University of Virginia

This page compares University of California—Berkeley and University of Virginia across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 57 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 57 applicants admitted to both schools, 61% chose to attend University of Virginia. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.

In the U.S. News rankings, University of Virginia is ranked #4 compared to #13 — a gap of 9 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

University of California—Berkeley is located in Berkeley, California, while University of Virginia is in Charlottesville, Virginia. 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 $74,078. Combined with employment rates of 93.6% (UCBerkeley) and 95.3% (UVA), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants, University of Virginia offered a median scholarship of $120,000 compared to $105,000, a difference of $15,000 that may factor into enrollment decisions.