Head-to-head · 22 cross-admits
When applicants got into both, 100% chose 'Nova. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 22 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 'Nova
Median scholarship (chose 'Nova)
Median scholarship (chose AU)
View all-time (45 cross-admits)
Trend · 'Nova's share
Admissions
Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield 2025 ABA 509
Financial
Sticker price, scholarships, and debt burden 2025 ABA 509
Employment & outcomes
Post-graduation placement and bar passage 2024 ABA Employment
Cross-admit by cycle
How preferences shifted over recent cyclesRelated comparisons
Other popular cross-admit matchups
Overview
About 'Nova vs AU
Across 22 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 100% enrolled at Villanova University and 0% at American University.
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.
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Detailed comparison narrative
This page compares Villanova University and American University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 22 applicants admitted to both.
Based on 22 applicants admitted to both schools, 100% chose to attend Villanova University. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.
In the U.S. News rankings, Villanova University is ranked #49 compared to #108 — a gap of 59 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.
Villanova University is located in Villanova, Pennsylvania, while American University is in Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C.. 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, Villanova University has lower tuition at $59,800 per year compared to $66,990. Combined with employment rates of 92.5% ('Nova) and 83.0% (AU), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.