HEAD TO HEAD, ABA 509 DATA 2025
Chicago vs Harvard Law School: Which Is Harder to Get Into, and Which Pays Off (2025)
Chicago and Harvard post identical LSAT and GPA medians, 174 and a 4.0, and nearly identical acceptance rates, 9.7% against Harvard's 9.2%. The real split shows up after admission: Harvard sends 54.5% of grads into biglaw against Chicago's 17.1%, more than 3 times the rate.
Chicago and Harvard sit close enough on paper that the tiebreaker usually comes down to money and job outcomes, not admissions odds alone. Treat this page as the numbers you'd want in front of you before you commit a deposit to either one, and check them against the calculator before you write off either school as a reach or a safety.
Side by side
| Metric | Chicago | Harvard |
|---|---|---|
| LSAT 25th | 171 | 171 |
| LSAT 50th | 174 | 174 |
| LSAT 75th | 176 | 176 |
| GPA 50th | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Acceptance rate | 9.7% | 9.2% |
| Sticker tuition/yr | $83,316 | $77,100 |
| Gets some grant | 78.2% | 37.9% |
| Pays full sticker | 21.8% | 62.1% |
| FT/LT jobs | 86.8% | 96.1% |
| Biglaw (101+ firm) | 17.1% | 54.5% |
| Federal clerkships | 0.4% | 17.5% |
| Bar pass rate | 97.1% | 96.1% |
The verdict, 3 ways
Harder to get into
This one's close. Chicago and Harvard share identical median LSATs and GPAs, 174 and 4.0, and their acceptance rates sit within half a point, 9.7% for Chicago against 9.2% for Harvard. I'd call Harvard marginally harder on acceptance rate alone, but this is close enough that either school should be treated as a genuine reach for anyone below the median.
Cheaper after aid
Chicago is more expensive on sticker, $83,316 against Harvard's $77,100, and Harvard discounts far fewer of its students, 37.9% against Chicago's 78.2%, meaning 62.1% of Harvard students pay full price versus 21.8% at Chicago. Chicago is the cheaper bet for a student without elite aid bargaining position, even with the higher list price.
Better outcomes
Harvard wins this one clearly. It places 96.1% of grads full-time and long-term against Chicago's 86.8%, sends more than 3 times the share into biglaw, 54.5% to 17.1%, and lands federal clerkships at 17.5% against Chicago's 0.4%. Chicago edges the bar pass rate, 97.1% to Harvard's 96.1%, but that's the only column it wins.
Full data on each: Chicago and Harvard. Run your own numbers through the LSAT Unplugged law school chances calculator. See what 1 extra LSAT point is worth in grants at both schools.
FAQ
Is Chicago or Harvard harder to get into?
It's close. Both schools share identical 174 median LSATs and 4.0 median GPAs, and their acceptance rates sit within half a point, 9.7% for Chicago against 9.2% for Harvard, a marginal edge to Harvard as the harder admit.
Which is cheaper, Chicago or Harvard?
Chicago, once aid is factored in. Its sticker is higher, $83,316 to Harvard's $77,100, but it discounts 78.2% of its students against Harvard's 37.9%, so most Chicago students pay less than the list price suggests.
Which has better job outcomes, Chicago or Harvard?
Harvard, decisively. It places 96.1% of grads full-time and long-term against 86.8% at Chicago, and sends more than 3 times the share into biglaw, 54.5% to 17.1%.
Should I apply to both Chicago and Harvard?
Yes, if your numbers are near the 174 median for either. Both are reaches for almost everyone, and applying to both costs little extra once your file is built for one T14 application.
Source: ABA Standard 509 Information Reports, 2025, via LSAT Unplugged's 509 master. Verify against each school's own filing before relying on it. Last updated 2026-10-10.
