HEAD TO HEAD, ABA 509 DATA 2025
Columbia vs Northwestern Law School: Which Is Harder to Get Into, and Which Pays Off (2025)
Columbia and Northwestern sit almost on top of each other: acceptance rates within half a point, 11.8% and 12.3%, and the same 173 median LSAT. Columbia noses ahead on outcomes, especially bar pass, 95.5% to 91.6%, while Northwestern is the far cheaper seat, discounting 76.4% of its students against Columbia's 53.8%.
Columbia and Northwestern pull from the same pool of applicants: close enough in LSAT and GPA that a lot of people end up choosing between them, not against some far-off reach school. Neither one is a stretch pick once the other is realistic, so the deciding factor tends to be money and outcomes, not admission odds. Put both offer letters side by side before you sign anything.
Side by side
| Metric | Columbia | Northwestern |
|---|---|---|
| LSAT 25th | 169 | 167 |
| LSAT 50th | 173 | 173 |
| LSAT 75th | 175 | 175 |
| GPA 50th | 3.9 | 4.0 |
| Acceptance rate | 11.8% | 12.3% |
| Sticker tuition/yr | $85,368 | $79,722 |
| Gets some grant | 53.8% | 76.4% |
| Pays full sticker | 46.2% | 23.6% |
| FT/LT jobs | 97.9% | 97.8% |
| Biglaw (101+ firm) | 73% | 72.6% |
| Federal clerkships | 5.5% | 5.2% |
| Bar pass rate | 95.5% | 91.6% |
The verdict, 3 ways
Harder to get into
This one's close. Columbia's acceptance rate, 11.8%, is already a touch lower than Northwestern's 12.3%, which makes Columbia technically the harder admit, and both share a 173 median LSAT. The 75th percentile is also tied, 175 at both schools. Northwestern's median GPA, 4.0, does edge Columbia's 3.9, suggesting a marginally stronger admitted class by that one measure.
Cheaper after aid
Northwestern, clearly. Its discount share is 76.4% against Columbia's 53.8%, and only 23.6% of its students pay full sticker versus 46.2% at Columbia. Northwestern's tuition is also lower, $79,722 to Columbia's $85,368. Nearly half of Columbia's students pay full freight; at Northwestern, that share drops to under a quarter.
Better outcomes
Columbia edges it, mostly on bar pass: 95.5% against Northwestern's 91.6%, a 3.9-point gap. The rest is nearly tied: full-time placement runs 97.9% to 97.8%, biglaw 73.0% to 72.6%, and federal clerkships 5.5% to 5.2%. Columbia wins every category, but only bar pass separates them by a real margin.
Full data on each: Columbia 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 Columbia or Northwestern harder to get into?
It's close, and by acceptance rate Columbia is technically the harder admit, 11.8% to Northwestern's 12.3%, with both sharing a 173 median LSAT. Northwestern's higher median GPA, 4.0 to 3.9, suggests a marginally stronger admitted class on that measure.
Which is cheaper, Columbia or Northwestern?
Northwestern. Its discount share, 76.4%, beats Columbia's 53.8%, and its tuition, $79,722, is lower than Columbia's $85,368. Nearly half of Columbia students pay full price versus under a quarter at Northwestern.
Which has better job outcomes, Columbia or Northwestern?
Columbia, mostly because of bar pass, 95.5% to 91.6%. Full-time placement, biglaw, and clerkships are all nearly tied between the 2 schools.
Should I apply to both Columbia and Northwestern?
Yes. With near-identical acceptance rates and the same 173 median LSAT, both schools are realistic for the same applicant, and the gap in cost and bar pass rate makes it worth comparing real offers before deciding.
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 2026-10-09.
