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Cross-Admit Decision Data
Of 19 applicants admitted to both schools:
Based on 19 self-reported cross-admit decisions from the last 5 cycles
View all-time data (50 cross-admits)
50 total cross-admit decisions (all cycles)
AU is 150+ · Temple University is #44 in the LSD rankings
See full LSD.Law school rankings →About this comparison
This page compares American University and Temple University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes using official ABA 509 disclosures.
In the U.S. News rankings, Temple University is ranked #50 compared to #104 — a gap of 54 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.
American University is located in Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C., while Temple University is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Regional placement matters: graduates tend to find employment near their law school, so location should factor into your decision alongside rankings and cost.
On cost, Temple University has lower tuition at $32,588 per year compared to $66,990. Combined with employment rates of 83.0% (AU) and 93.8% (Temple University), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.
Among cross-admitted applicants, American University offered a median scholarship of $120,000 compared to $91,875, a difference of $28,125 that may factor into enrollment decisions.
Compare Another Pair
Admissions Comparison
2025 ABA 509How these schools compare on LSAT, GPA, selectivity, and class composition.
| Metric | AU | Temple University |
|---|---|---|
| USN Rank | #104 | #50 ▲ |
| LSD Rank | 150+ (0.002) | #44 (0.013) ▲ |
| LSAT 25th | 157 | 162 ▲ |
| LSAT Median | 162 | 165 ▲ |
| LSAT 75th | 163 | 168 ▲ |
| GPA Median | 3.63 | 3.76 ▲ |
| Acceptance Rate | 33.3% | 24.4% ▲ |
| Class Size | 405 | 237 |
| Yield Rate | 20.2% | 31.3% ▲ |
Financial Comparison
2025 ABA 509Tuition, scholarships, and debt burden at each school.
| Metric | AU | Temple University |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition (In-State) | $66,990 | $32,588 ▲ |
| Tuition (Out-of-State) | $66,990 | $48,996 ▲ |
| Median Grant | $40,000 ▲ | $31,334 |
| % Receiving Grants | 59.0% | 85.0% ▲ |
| Avg. Debt at Graduation | - | - |
Employment Outcomes
2024 ABA 509Post-graduation employment placement, salaries, and bar passage.
| Metric | AU | Temple University |
|---|---|---|
| BigLaw (501+) | 13.4% | 18.2% ▲ |
| Judicial Clerkships | 13.9% | 15.6% ▲ |
| Median Salary (Private) | $100,000 | $150,000 ▲ |
| Employment Rate | 83.0% | 93.8% ▲ |
| Bar Pass Rate | 81.3% | 90.3% ▲ |
Cross-Admit Decisions by Cycle
How cross-admit preferences have shifted over recent application cycles.
| Cycle | Split | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 2023-2024 |
44%
|
9 |
| 2010-2011 |
60%
|
5 |
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