Head-to-head · 17 cross-admits
When applicants got into both, 59% chose Catholic University. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 17 self-reported decisions and ABA 509 filings.
Choice, not ranking
These are decisions, not opinions. Scholarship offers, location, intended practice, and personal fit are all priced into the split.
Cross-admit decision
Chose Catholic University
Typical aid · ABA 509 · 2025
per yearCross-admits who enrolled · self-reported, 3-yr award
View all-time (56 cross-admits)
Trend · Catholic University's share
Lowest cycle
Highest cycle
Admissions
Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield 2025 ABA 509
Financial
Sticker price and scholarship aid 2025 ABA 509
Employment & outcomes
Post-graduation placement and bar passage 2025 ABA Employment
Cross-admit by cycle
How preferences shifted over recent cyclesRelated comparisons
Other popular cross-admit matchups
Overview
About Catholic University vs AU
Across 17 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 59% enrolled at Catholic University Of America and 41% at American University. The split has shifted -3 points across the tracked cycles.
These numbers reflect every factor that goes into a real decision: scholarship offers, geographic preference, intended practice area, and fit. Choosing one school doesn't mean it's "better" — it means the pool of cross-admits, weighing their options, ended up there more often. Pair this with the scholarship distribution and employment outcomes above for full context.
Looking at a different matchup? Browse all comparisons or run a custom pair from the index.
Compare another pair
Detailed comparison narrative
This page compares Catholic University Of America and American University 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 #70 compared to #108 — a gap of 38 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.
Both schools are located in Washington, D.C. — Catholic University Of America in Washington, D.C. and American University 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 92.9% (Catholic University) and 85.0% (AU), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.
Among cross-admitted applicants who enrolled, those choosing American University reported a higher median scholarship — $120,000 versus $108,750 over three years — though aid is one of several factors behind the enrollment decision.
Your study break just got better: follow @lawschooldata on Follow @lawschooldata on TikTok & Instagram