Head-to-head · 20 cross-admits
When applicants got into both, 70% chose ASU. 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.
Cross-admit decision
Chose ASU
Typical aid · ABA 509 · 2025
per yearCross-admits who enrolled · self-reported, 3-yr award
View all-time (43 cross-admits)
Admissions
Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield 2025 ABA 509
Financial
Sticker price and scholarship aid 2025 ABA 509
Employment & outcomes
Post-graduation placement and bar passage 2025 ABA Employment
Cross-admit by cycle
How preferences shifted over recent cyclesRelated comparisons
Other popular cross-admit matchups
Overview
About ASU vs USD
Across 20 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 70% enrolled at Arizona State University and 30% at University of San Diego.
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.
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Detailed comparison narrative
This page compares Arizona State University and University of San Diego 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, 70% chose to attend Arizona State University. 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 #54 — a gap of 10 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.
Arizona State University is located in Tempe, Arizona, while University of San Diego is in San Diego, California. 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 $66,950. Combined with employment rates of 93.8% (ASU) and 99.2% (USD), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.
Among cross-admitted applicants who enrolled, those choosing University of San Diego reported a higher median scholarship — $204,360 versus $42,000 over three years — though aid is one of several factors behind the enrollment decision.
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