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Head-to-head · 20 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 75% chose UCD. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 20 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.

20
cross-admits
3
cycles
+0pt
YoY shift

Cross-admit decision

Of 20 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
University of California—Davis logo Chose UCD
75%
Chose ASU Arizona State University logo
25%

Typical aid · ABA 509 · 2025

per year
$25,000
99.0% get a grant
$32,460 net tuition
$20,000
96.0% get a grant
$8,390 net tuition

Cross-admits who enrolled · self-reported, 3-yr award

$111,000
n = 15
$105,000
n = 5
View all-time (50 cross-admits)
74% chose UCD 26% chose ASU

Trend · UCD's share

2005–2025

Lowest cycle

67%

Highest cycle

100%
3 cycles
100 50 0 05 20 25 2005: 100% 2020: 67% 2025: 100%
UCD #34 · ASU #55 LSD n≈6/yr

Admissions

Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield
2025 ABA 509
Metric
University of California—Davis logo
UCD
Davis, California
Arizona State University logo
ASU
Tempe, Arizona
USN Rank
#52
#44
LSD Rank
#34 (0.012)
Top 75 (0.006)
LSAT 25th
160
158
LSAT Median
165
165
LSAT 75th
167
167
GPA Median
3.70
3.91
Acceptance Rate
16.0%
19.8%
Class Size
209
266
Yield Rate
33.0%
28.9%

Financial

Sticker price and scholarship aid
2025 ABA 509
Metric
University of California—Davis logo
UCD
Davis, California
Arizona State University logo
ASU
Tempe, Arizona
Tuition (In-State)
$57,460
$28,390
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$69,705
$52,099
Median Grant
$25,000
$20,000
% Receiving Grants
99.0%
96.0%

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2025 ABA Employment
Metric
University of California—Davis logo
UCD
Davis, California
Arizona State University logo
ASU
Tempe, Arizona
BigLaw (501+)
22.1%
14.5%
Federal Clerkships
1.5%
2.1%
State & Local Clerkships
5.4%
7.9%
Median Salary (Private)
-
-
Employment Rate
95.6%
93.8%
Bar Pass Rate
88.9%
87.5%

Overview

About UCD vs ASU

Across 20 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 75% enrolled at University of California—Davis and 25% at Arizona State University.

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 University of California—Davis and Arizona State University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 20 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 20 applicants admitted to both schools, 75% chose to attend University of California—Davis. 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 #52 — a gap of 8 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

University of California—Davis is located in Davis, California, while Arizona State University is in Tempe, Arizona. 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 $57,460. Combined with employment rates of 95.6% (UCD) and 93.8% (ASU), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.