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Head-to-head · 41 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 100% chose WUSTL. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 41 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.

41
cross-admits
5
cycles
+8pt
YoY shift

Cross-admit decision

Of 41 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
Washington University in St. Louis logo Chose WUSTL
100%
Chose ASU Arizona State University logo
0%

Typical aid · ABA 509 · 2025

per year
$48,000
94.0% get a grant
$24,792 net tuition
$20,000
96.0% get a grant
$8,390 net tuition

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

$153,000
n = 40
n < 5
View all-time (75 cross-admits)
93% chose WUSTL 7% chose ASU

Trend · WUSTL's share

2020–2025

Lowest cycle

92%

Highest cycle

100%
5 cycles
100 50 0 20 21 22 23 25 2020: 92% 2021: 100% 2022: 100% 2023: 100% 2025: 100%
WUSTL #21 · ASU #55 LSD n≈10/yr

Admissions

Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield
2025 ABA 509
Metric
Washington University in St. Louis logo
WUSTL
St. Louis, Missouri
Arizona State University logo
ASU
Tempe, Arizona
USN Rank
#13
#44
LSD Rank
#21 (0.068)
Top 75 (0.006)
LSAT 25th
165
158
LSAT Median
175
165
LSAT 75th
176
167
GPA Median
3.96
3.91
Acceptance Rate
19.0%
19.8%
Class Size
261
266
Yield Rate
24.2%
28.9%

Financial

Sticker price and scholarship aid
2025 ABA 509
Metric
Washington University in St. Louis logo
WUSTL
St. Louis, Missouri
Arizona State University logo
ASU
Tempe, Arizona
Tuition (In-State)
$72,792
$28,390
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$72,792
$52,099
Median Grant
$48,000
$20,000
% Receiving Grants
94.0%
96.0%

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2025 ABA Employment
Metric
Washington University in St. Louis logo
WUSTL
St. Louis, Missouri
Arizona State University logo
ASU
Tempe, Arizona
BigLaw (501+)
39.9%
14.5%
Federal Clerkships
11.7%
2.1%
State & Local Clerkships
2.6%
7.9%
Median Salary (Private)
-
-
Employment Rate
98.5%
93.8%
Bar Pass Rate
93.6%
87.5%

Overview

About WUSTL vs ASU

Across 41 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 100% enrolled at Washington University in St. Louis and 0% at Arizona State University. The split has shifted +8 points across the tracked cycles.

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.

Deciding between WUSTL and ASU? Work with a consultant who knows both — backed by this exact data.
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Compare another pair

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Detailed comparison narrative

This page compares Washington University in St. Louis and Arizona State University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 41 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 41 applicants admitted to both schools, 100% chose to attend Washington University in St. Louis. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.

In the U.S. News rankings, Washington University in St. Louis is ranked #13 compared to #44 — a gap of 31 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

There is a meaningful difference in admissions competitiveness: Washington University in St. Louis has a median LSAT of 175 compared to 165, a gap of 10 points. This suggests applicants to Washington University in St. Louis face a more competitive admissions pool.

Washington University in St. Louis is located in St. Louis, Missouri, 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.

Employment outcomes differ substantially: Washington University in St. Louis places 39.9% of graduates into large law firm positions, compared to 14.5% for the other school. This 25 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 $72,792. Combined with employment rates of 98.5% (WUSTL) and 93.8% (ASU), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.