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American University vs Catholic University Of America
Side-by-side comparison of admissions, costs, and outcomes
Cross-Admit Decision Data
Of 12 applicants admitted to both schools:
Based on 12 self-reported cross-admit decisions from the last 5 cycles
View all-time data (49 cross-admits)
49 total cross-admit decisions (all cycles)
AU is 75+ · Catholic University is 75+ in the LSD rankings
See full LSD.Law school rankings →About this comparison
This page compares American University and Catholic University Of America across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes using official ABA 509 disclosures.
In the U.S. News rankings, Catholic University Of America is ranked #71 compared to #104 — a gap of 33 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.
Both schools are located in Washington, D.C. — American University in Washington, D.C. and Catholic University Of America in Washington, D.C. — meaning graduates often compete in the same regional legal market.
On cost, Catholic University Of America has lower tuition at $61,580 per year compared to $66,990. Combined with employment rates of 83.0% (AU) and 89.7% (Catholic University), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.
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Admissions Comparison
2025 ABA 509How these schools compare on LSAT, GPA, selectivity, and class composition.
| Metric | AU | Catholic University |
|---|---|---|
| USN Rank | #104 | #71 ▲ |
| LSD Rank | 75+ (0.001) | 75+ (0.001) |
| LSAT 25th | 157 | 158 ▲ |
| LSAT Median | 162 ▲ | 161 |
| LSAT 75th | 163 | 163 |
| GPA Median | 3.63 | 3.68 ▲ |
| Acceptance Rate | 33.3% | 32.4% ▲ |
| Class Size | 405 | 182 |
| Yield Rate | 20.2% | 29.6% ▲ |
Financial Comparison
2025 ABA 509Tuition, scholarships, and debt burden at each school.
| Metric | AU | Catholic University |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition (In-State) | $66,990 | $61,580 ▲ |
| Tuition (Out-of-State) | $66,990 | $61,580 ▲ |
| Median Grant | $40,000 ▲ | $26,000 |
| % Receiving Grants | 59.0% | 99.0% ▲ |
| Avg. Debt at Graduation | - | - |
Employment Outcomes
2024 ABA 509Post-graduation employment placement, salaries, and bar passage.
| Metric | AU | Catholic University |
|---|---|---|
| BigLaw (501+) | 13.4% ▲ | 8.7% |
| Judicial Clerkships | 13.9% | 16.7% ▲ |
| Median Salary (Private) | $100,000 | $110,000 ▲ |
| Employment Rate | 83.0% | 89.7% ▲ |
| Bar Pass Rate | 81.3% | 83.1% ▲ |
Cross-Admit Decisions by Cycle
How cross-admit preferences have shifted over recent application cycles.
AU
Catholic University
| Cycle | Split | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 2012-2013 |
40%
|
5 |
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