Arizona State University vs Duke University

This page compares Arizona State University and Duke University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 36 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 36 applicants admitted to both schools, 100% chose to attend Duke University. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.

In the U.S. News rankings, Duke University is ranked #6 compared to #45 — a gap of 39 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

There is a meaningful difference in admissions competitiveness: Duke University has a median LSAT of 171 compared to 165, a gap of 6 points. This suggests applicants to Duke University face a more competitive admissions pool.

Duke University is significantly more selective, with an acceptance rate of 12.9% compared to Arizona State University's 19.8%.

Arizona State University is located in Tempe, Arizona, while Duke University is in Durham, North Carolina. 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: Duke University places 67.9% of graduates into large law firm positions, compared to 11.0% for the other school. This 57 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 $80,100. Combined with employment rates of 93.5% (ASU) and 98.2% (Duke), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants, Arizona State University offered a median scholarship of $120,000 compared to $96,000, a difference of $24,000 that may factor into enrollment decisions.