Columbia University vs. Cornell University: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
Both are New York law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Cornell University posts the higher first-time bar passage (96.4% vs 95.8%); Cornell University is cheaper on sticker tuition ($84,722 vs $85,368); Cornell University places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (99.5% vs 97.4%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Columbia University | Cornell University | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 173 | 173 | Tie |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.92 | 3.92 | Tie |
| Acceptance rate | 11.8% | 18.2% | Columbia University |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $85,368 | $84,722 | Cornell University |
| Non-resident tuition | $85,368 | $84,722 | Cornell University |
| Median grant | $32,000 | $30,000 | Columbia University |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 95.8% | 96.4% | Cornell University |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 99.0% | 95.3% | Columbia University |
| Bar passage vs. state average | +10.9 pts | +11.7 pts | Cornell University |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 97.4% | 99.5% | Cornell University |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 77.5% | 63.0% | Columbia University |
| Federal clerkships | 4.1% | 5.6% | Cornell University |
trajectory since 2011
Full profiles & related
Columbia University full profile · Cornell University full profile · Pin both on the interactive map → · All New York law schools
FAQ
Which is cheaper, Columbia University or Cornell University?
Cornell University is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $84,722 versus Columbia University's $85,368.
Which has better bar passage, Columbia University or Cornell University?
Cornell University has the higher first-time bar passage, 96.4% against Columbia University's 95.8%.
Which has better job outcomes, Columbia University or Cornell University?
Cornell University places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (99.5% vs 97.4%).
Columbia University vs Cornell University: which is better?
It depends on what you weigh — the table above shows where each wins. Across the four headline measures (selectivity, sticker cost, first-time bar passage, and JD employment), Cornell University leads on more of them, but read the row that matters most to you rather than the count.
Source: ABA Standard 509 Required Disclosures, most recent reported cycle. Last updated June 26, 2026.