Is Stanford or Columbia better for law?

Asked by: Giovanna Schulist MD  |  Last update: August 31, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (60 votes)

Columbia Law School is currently recognized as the fourth best law school in the US, trailing only Yale, Stanford, and Harvard (and tied with the University of Chicago). Of the more than 7,000 students who applied for the class of 2020, only about 16% were accepted.

Is Stanford better than Columbia for law?

Stanford Law School has a 96% pass rate on the California bar exam, while Columbia Law School has an 87% pass rate on the New York bar exam.

Which Ivy League is best for law?

The five Ivy League schools that have law schools are all elite programs. Generally, most people would say Yale's is the best. It's also usually #1 on most top law school lists. But Harvard is equally as good, with Columbia, Penn, and Cornell not being too far behind.

Is Stanford or Columbia more prestigious?

In summary, both universities are prestigious and offer excellent computer science programs. Your decision might come down to whether you prefer the entrepreneurial atmosphere and sunny climate of Stanford in Silicon Valley or the rigorous academic environment and urban experience offered by Columbia in New York City.

Why does Rachel choose Columbia over Stanford?

Rachel chose Columbia because she wanted to be closer to Mike and already had a job guaranteed out of Law School, choosing which law school she went to was kind of irrelevant.

COLLEGE DECISION REACTIONS 2023 (all 8 Ivies, Stanford, UCs, T20s, and more)

40 related questions found

Why did Harvard reject Rachel?

Despite her own ability, Rachel has never been good with taking tests, so she never gets a high enough LSAT score for Harvard.

What did Rachel Zane score on the LSAT?

Rachel Zane got a 173 after spending less than a month to study and while working a full time job. : r/LSAT.

Is Columbia law prestigious?

Columbia University is ranked No. 8 out of 196 in Best Law Schools. Schools were assessed on their performance across a set of widely accepted indicators of excellence.

Which is better for law, Harvard or Stanford?

Stanford Law School has been at the forefront of legal innovation, with its emphasis on interdisciplinary studies and its commitment to public service. Harvard Law School, on the other hand, has produced some of the most influential legal minds in history, including former U.S. Presidents Barack Obama and Franklin D.

What is the most prestigious law school?

There has been great consistency at the top of the U.S. News rankings since their inception, with Yale Law School consistently ranking first. While Yale, Harvard, and Stanford have historically clustered at the top of the list, Harvard was recently replaced by the University of Chicago in the third place spot.

How much do Columbia law graduates make?

Graduates of Columbia Law School earn a median salary of $280,926 four years after graduation, making it the top Ivy League law school for pay. CNBC has the story, based on data compiled by the Higher Education Advisory Group, a research and consulting agency focused on college access and success.

What is the easiest Ivy League law school to get into?

According to the Law School Admission Council (LSAC), Columbia is the easiest law school to get into of the three Ivy League schools. The admissions process there is based on a combination of your grades and LSAC test scores, which are both relatively easy to attain.

Is NYU Law better than Columbia?

NYU Law and Columbia Law are both considered highly competitive, much like each university's undergraduate programs. However, Columbia University's Law School is ranked slightly above NYU's on the US News & World Report list. Columbia Law School also has a slightly lower acceptance rate than NYU's Law School.

Why is Stanford the best law school?

By many measures, Stanford Law stands out in the American law school landscape. A close-knit, collegial community; a deep commitment to innovation; an unconventional approach to education—immersive, interdisciplinary, and intensive. These are the advantages that define and distinguish SLS.

Is it harder to get into USC or Stanford?

Stanford isn't just more selective than USC — it's also less than half the size of the Los Angeles school. With an admission rate below 4% in 2023, Stanford is one of the hardest schools to get into in the United States. USC has an acceptance rate of 9.9%.

Is Stanford law better than Columbia?

If your concern is job prospects after the LLM, choose Columbia. If you are more into law teaching, choose Stanford. This is an easy choice. Columbia is a great law school, but it's not as prestigious as Stanford.

What school do most lawyers go to?

15 top law schools
  1. Yale University. ...
  2. Stanford University. ...
  3. Harvard University. ...
  4. Columbia University. ...
  5. University of Chicago. ...
  6. New York University. ...
  7. University of Pennsylvania. ...
  8. University of Virginia.

What is the acceptance rate for Columbia Law School?

Columbia Law School Admissions

Columbia Law School is considered a Moderately Competitive law school, which accepts only 22% of its applicants.

Is Columbia the hardest Ivy League?

Columbia Admission Statistics 2024-2025

Columbia is the third hardest Ivy League to get into, with an acceptance rate of 3.85%. Students from around the world dream of studying at Columbia University.

Why is Columbia University so prestigious?

Columbia is renowned not only for its rich history but also for being one of the top universities worldwide with the most Nobel laureates. This article talks about what makes Columbia truly exceptional and why studying there can be a transformative experience that shapes your life in ways you never imagined.

What LSAT score did Obama get?

During his time, the median LSAT scores for Harvard Law were generally between 170 and 175. This suggests that the Obama LSAT scores were within this range, placing him in the top percentiles of test-takers.

What did Elle Woods score on the LSAT?

Elle Woods, a fictional character portrayed by Reese Witherspoon in the movie Legally Blonde, is known for her remarkable LSAT score—179 out of 180. Portrayed as a stereotypical "valley girl," she embarks on a journey to Harvard Law School in the movie that has since become a cult favorite.