Arizona State University vs Northwestern University

This page compares Arizona State University and Northwestern University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 33 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 33 applicants admitted to both schools, 100% chose to attend Northwestern University. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.

In the U.S. News rankings, Northwestern University is ranked #10 compared to #45 — a gap of 35 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

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

Northwestern University is significantly more selective, with an acceptance rate of 12.3% compared to Arizona State University's 19.8%.

Arizona State University is located in Tempe, Arizona, while Northwestern University is in Evanston, Illinois. 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: Northwestern University places 64.1% of graduates into large law firm positions, compared to 11.0% for the other school. This 53 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 $79,772. Combined with employment rates of 93.5% (ASU) and 95.6% (NU), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants, Northwestern University offered a median scholarship of $120,000 compared to $101,750, a difference of $18,250 that may factor into enrollment decisions.