University of California—Los Angeles vs University of Chicago

This page compares University of California—Los Angeles and University of Chicago across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 43 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 43 applicants admitted to both schools, 88% 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 #12 — a gap of 9 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

University of California—Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, 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—Los Angeles has lower tuition at $59,084 per year compared to $83,316. Combined with employment rates of 94.4% (UCLA) and 97.0% (UC), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants, University of California—Los Angeles offered a median scholarship of $120,000 compared to $90,000, a difference of $30,000 that may factor into enrollment decisions.