University of Chicago vs Vanderbilt University

This page compares University of Chicago and Vanderbilt University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 30 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 30 applicants admitted to both schools, 100% 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 #14 — a gap of 11 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 located in Chicago, Illinois, while Vanderbilt University is in Nashville, Tennessee. 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, Vanderbilt University has lower tuition at $76,440 per year compared to $83,316. Combined with employment rates of 97.0% (UC) and 94.6% (Vandy), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants, Vanderbilt University offered a median scholarship of $136,500 compared to $52,500, a difference of $84,000 that may factor into enrollment decisions.