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Arizona State University vs Southern Methodist University
Side-by-side comparison of admissions, costs, and outcomes
View all-time data (38 cross-admits)
38 total cross-admit decisions (all cycles)
ASU is Top 75 · SMU is #38 in the LSD rankings
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About this comparison
This page compares Arizona State University and Southern Methodist University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes using official ABA 509 disclosures.
Both schools are closely ranked in U.S. News: #43 and #45, separated by just 2 positions, making cross-admit data especially useful for deciding between them.
Arizona State University is located in Tempe, Arizona, while Southern Methodist University is in Dallas, Texas. 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: Southern Methodist University places 27.9% of graduates into large law firm positions, compared to 11.0% for the other school. This 17 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 $60,844. Combined with employment rates of 93.5% (ASU) and 97.6% (SMU), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.
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Admissions Comparison
2025 ABA 509How these schools compare on LSAT, GPA, selectivity, and class composition.
| Metric | ASU | SMU |
|---|---|---|
| USN Rank | #45 | #43 ▲ |
| LSD Rank | Top 75 (0.006) | #38 (0.011) ▲ |
| LSAT 25th | 158 | 163 ▲ |
| LSAT Median | 165 | 167 ▲ |
| LSAT 75th | 167 | 168 ▲ |
| GPA Median | 3.91 ▲ | 3.81 |
| Acceptance Rate | 19.8% ▲ | 24.6% |
| Class Size | 266 | 254 |
| Yield Rate | 28.9% | 34.0% ▲ |
Financial Comparison
2025 ABA 509Tuition, scholarships, and debt burden at each school.
| Metric | ASU | SMU |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition (In-State) | $28,390 ▲ | $60,844 |
| Tuition (Out-of-State) | $52,099 ▲ | $60,844 |
| Median Grant | $20,000 | $26,000 ▲ |
| % Receiving Grants | 96.0% ▲ | 94.0% |
| Avg. Debt at Graduation | - | - |
Employment Outcomes
2024 ABA 509Post-graduation employment placement, salaries, and bar passage.
| Metric | ASU | SMU |
|---|---|---|
| BigLaw (501+) | 11.0% | 27.9% ▲ |
| Judicial Clerkships | 15.8% ▲ | 3.6% |
| Median Salary (Private) | $140,000 | - |
| Employment Rate | 93.5% | 97.6% ▲ |
| Bar Pass Rate | 87.5% | 90.2% ▲ |
Cross-Admit Decisions by Cycle
How cross-admit preferences have shifted over recent application cycles.
ASU
SMU
| Cycle | Split | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 2023-2024 |
38%
|
8 |
| 2018-2019 |
40%
|
5 |
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