HEAD TO HEAD, ABA 509 DATA 2025
Chicago vs Northwestern Law School: Which Is Harder to Get Into, and Which Pays Off (2025)
Chicago holds the tighter admissions door, 9.7% to Northwestern's 12.3%, even with Northwestern's median LSAT sitting a point lower, 173 to 174. Northwestern makes up the difference fast: 72.6% of its grads land in biglaw, more than 4 times Chicago's 17.1% rate, the widest outcomes gap on this page.
If you're competitive at Chicago, you're almost certainly competitive at Northwestern too, or the other way around. The real question isn't who'll let you in, it's what each offer actually costs you once grants land and what the class ahead of you actually got out of the degree on the other side.
Side by side
| Metric | Chicago | Northwestern |
|---|---|---|
| LSAT 25th | 171 | 167 |
| LSAT 50th | 174 | 173 |
| LSAT 75th | 176 | 175 |
| GPA 50th | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Acceptance rate | 9.7% | 12.3% |
| Sticker tuition/yr | $83,316 | $79,722 |
| Gets some grant | 78.2% | 76.4% |
| Pays full sticker | 21.8% | 23.6% |
| FT/LT jobs | 86.8% | 97.8% |
| Biglaw (101+ firm) | 17.1% | 72.6% |
| Federal clerkships | 0.4% | 5.2% |
| Bar pass rate | 97.1% | 91.6% |
The verdict, 3 ways
Harder to get into
Chicago is the harder admit, taking 9.7% of applicants against Northwestern's 12.3%, and it also holds the tighter LSAT floor, a 171 25th percentile against Northwestern's 167. Northwestern's median GPA matches Chicago's exactly at 4.0, but on both the LSAT and the acceptance rate, Chicago is the tougher school to get into.
Cheaper after aid
Northwestern is slightly cheaper on sticker, $79,722 against Chicago's $83,316, and it discounts a similar share of its students, 76.4% to Chicago's 78.2%. The two land close on cost, with a narrow edge to Northwestern.
Better outcomes
Northwestern wins this comparison outright. It places 97.8% of grads full-time and long-term against Chicago's 86.8%, sends 72.6% into biglaw against Chicago's 17.1%, more than 4 times the rate, and lands federal clerkships at 5.2% to Chicago's 0.4%. Chicago's only edge is bar passage, 97.1% to Northwestern's 91.6%, and it isn't enough to offset the rest.
Full data on each: Chicago and Northwestern. 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 Northwestern harder to get into?
Chicago. It admits 9.7% of applicants against Northwestern's 12.3%, and holds a higher LSAT 25th percentile, 171 to 167.
Which is cheaper, Chicago or Northwestern?
Northwestern, slightly. Tuition is $79,722 against Chicago's $83,316, with similar discount rates at both schools, 76.4% and 78.2%.
Which has better job outcomes, Chicago or Northwestern?
Northwestern, by a wide margin. It places 97.8% of grads full-time and long-term against 86.8% at Chicago, and sends 72.6% into biglaw against Chicago's 17.1%.
Should I apply to both Chicago and Northwestern?
Yes. Northwestern's slightly higher acceptance rate and its extraordinary biglaw placement make it worth the application alongside Chicago, especially if biglaw is the actual goal rather than prestige alone.
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.
