Arizona State University vs Cornell University

This page compares Arizona State University and Cornell University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 21 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 21 applicants admitted to both schools, 100% chose to attend Cornell University. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.

In the U.S. News rankings, Cornell University is ranked #13 compared to #44 — a gap of 31 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

There is a meaningful difference in admissions competitiveness: Cornell University has a median LSAT of 173 compared to 165, a gap of 8 points. This suggests applicants to Cornell University face a more competitive admissions pool.

Arizona State University is located in Tempe, Arizona, while Cornell University is in Ithaca, New York. Regional placement matters: graduates tend to find employment near their law school, so location should factor into your decision alongside rankings and cost.

Employment outcomes differ substantially: Cornell University places 71.9% of graduates into large law firm positions, compared to 11.0% for the other school. This 61 percentage point gap is significant for applicants targeting BigLaw careers.

On cost, Arizona State University has lower tuition at $28,390 per year compared to $84,722. Combined with employment rates of 93.5% (ASU) and 98.0% (Cornell University), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants, Cornell University offered a median scholarship of $150,000 compared to $135,000, a difference of $15,000 that may factor into enrollment decisions.