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Head-to-head · 28 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 57% chose ASU. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 28 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.

28
cross-admits
5
cycles
-7pt
YoY shift

Cross-admit decision

Of 28 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
Arizona State University logo Chose ASU
57%
Chose CUBoulder University of Colorado—Boulder logo
43%

Median scholarship (chose ASU)

$90,000 / yr

Median scholarship (chose CUBoulder)

$51,500 / yr
View all-time (61 cross-admits)
51% chose ASU 49% chose CUBoulder

Trend · ASU's share

2016–2024

Lowest cycle

30%

Highest cycle

67%
5 cycles
100 50 0 16 20 22 23 24 2016: 40% 2020: 30% 2022: 63% 2023: 67% 2024: 33%
ASU #53 · CUBoulder #53 LSD n≈7/yr

Admissions

Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield
2025 ABA 509
Metric
Arizona State University logo
ASU
Tempe, Arizona
University of Colorado—Boulder logo
CUBoulder
Boulder, Colorado
USN Rank
#44
#54
LSD Rank
Top 75 (0.006)
Top 75 (0.006)
LSAT 25th
158
161
LSAT Median
165
164
LSAT 75th
167
167
GPA Median
3.91
3.81
Acceptance Rate
19.8%
27.6%
Class Size
266
199
Yield Rate
28.9%
20.3%

Financial

Sticker price, scholarships, and debt burden
2025 ABA 509
Metric
Arizona State University logo
ASU
Tempe, Arizona
University of Colorado—Boulder logo
CUBoulder
Boulder, Colorado
Tuition (In-State)
$28,390
$35,992
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$52,099
$44,002
Median Grant
$20,000
$15,000
% Receiving Grants
96.0%
87.0%
Avg. Debt at Graduation
-
-

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2024 ABA Employment
Metric
Arizona State University logo
ASU
Tempe, Arizona
University of Colorado—Boulder logo
CUBoulder
Boulder, Colorado
BigLaw (501+)
11.0%
18.5%
Judicial Clerkships
15.8%
18.5%
Median Salary (Private)
$140,000
$137,500
Employment Rate
93.5%
89.9%
Bar Pass Rate
87.5%
90.4%

Overview

About ASU vs CUBoulder

Across 28 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 57% enrolled at Arizona State University and 43% at University of Colorado—Boulder. The split has shifted -7 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.

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Detailed comparison narrative

This page compares Arizona State University and University of Colorado—Boulder across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 28 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 28 applicants admitted to both schools, 57% chose to attend Arizona State University. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.

In the U.S. News rankings, Arizona State University is ranked #44 compared to #54 — a gap of 10 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

Arizona State University is located in Tempe, Arizona, while University of Colorado—Boulder is in Boulder, Colorado. 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, Arizona State University has lower tuition at $28,390 per year compared to $35,992. Combined with employment rates of 93.5% (ASU) and 89.9% (CUBoulder), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants, Arizona State University offered a median scholarship of $90,000 compared to $51,500, a difference of $38,500 that may factor into enrollment decisions.