University of Southern California vs University of Virginia

This page compares University of Southern California and University of Virginia across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 36 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 36 applicants admitted to both schools, 94% 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 #26 — a gap of 22 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

There is a meaningful difference in admissions competitiveness: University of Virginia has a median LSAT of 173 compared to 169, a gap of 4 points. This suggests applicants to University of Virginia face a more competitive admissions pool.

University of Southern California is located in Los Angeles, 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 Virginia has lower tuition at $74,078 per year compared to $84,034. Combined with employment rates of 95.5% (USC) and 95.3% (UVA), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants, University of Southern California offered a median scholarship of $150,000 compared to $120,000, a difference of $30,000 that may factor into enrollment decisions.