Which has a higher LSAT median, Boston College or Boston University?

Boston University has a higher median LSAT of 170, compared to 168. This is a difference of 2 points.

When admitted to both Boston College and Boston University, which do students choose?

Of 45 applicants admitted to both schools, 84% chose Boston University. This is based on cross-admit decisions self-reported by LSD.Law users.

Which school has better BigLaw placement, Boston College or Boston University?

Boston College places 43.7% of graduates into large law firms (501+ attorneys), compared to 35.7% for the other school.

Boston College vs Boston University

Side-by-side comparison of admissions, costs, and outcomes

Cross-Admit Decision Data

Of 45 applicants admitted to both schools:

Chose BC Chose BU

16%

84%

Median scholarship: $108,000 Median scholarship: $105,000

Based on 45 self-reported cross-admit decisions from the last 5 cycles

View all-time data (163 cross-admits)

34% chose BC 66% chose BU

163 total cross-admit decisions (all cycles)

BC is #28 · BU is #23 in the LSD rankings

See full LSD.Law school rankings →

About this comparison

This page compares Boston College and Boston University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 45 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 45 applicants admitted to both schools, 84% chose to attend Boston University. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.

Both schools are closely ranked in U.S. News: #22 and #25, separated by just 3 positions, making cross-admit data especially useful for deciding between them.

Both schools are located in Massachusetts — Boston College in Newton and Boston University in Boston — meaning graduates often compete in the same regional legal market.

Compare Another Pair

Admissions Financial Employment Trends Related

Admissions Comparison

2025 ABA 509

How these schools compare on LSAT, GPA, selectivity, and class composition.

Metric	BC	BU
USN Rank	#25	#22 ▲
LSD Rank	#28 (0.027)	#23 (0.043) ▲
LSAT 25th	162	164 ▲
LSAT Median	168	170 ▲
LSAT 75th	169	171 ▲
GPA Median	3.83	3.88 ▲
Acceptance Rate	8.5% ▲	12.1%
Class Size	219	238
Yield Rate	33.2% ▲	24.6%

Financial Comparison

2025 ABA 509

Tuition, scholarships, and debt burden at each school.

Metric	BC	BU
Tuition (In-State)	$72,380	$69,870 ▲
Tuition (Out-of-State)	$72,380	$69,870 ▲
Median Grant	$24,000	$29,000 ▲
% Receiving Grants	89.0%	91.0% ▲
Avg. Debt at Graduation	-	-

Employment Outcomes

2024 ABA 509

Post-graduation employment placement, salaries, and bar passage.

Metric	BC	BU
BigLaw (501+)	43.7% ▲	35.7%
Judicial Clerkships	9.1%	9.1%
Median Salary (Private)	$215,000	$225,000 ▲
Employment Rate	94.7% ▲	91.2%
Bar Pass Rate	93.8% ▲	92.3%

Cross-Admit Decisions by Cycle

How cross-admit preferences have shifted over recent application cycles.

BC BU

Cycle	Split	Total
2024-2025	0% 100%	9
2023-2024	0% 100%	6
2022-2023	45% 55%	11
2021-2022	20% 80%	5
2020-2021	7% 93%	14
2018-2019	60% 40%	5
2017-2018	0% 100%	5
2016-2017	17% 83%	6
2015-2016	0% 100%	6
2013-2014	17% 83%	6
2012-2013	18% 82%	11
2011-2012	60% 40%	5
2010-2011	53% 47%	15
2009-2010	55% 45%	11
2008-2009	60% 40%	10
2007-2008	33% 67%	6
2006-2007	54% 46%	13
2005-2006	50% 50%	6
2004-2005	83% 17%	6