Boston University vs Northwestern University

This page compares Boston University and Northwestern University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 53 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 53 applicants admitted to both schools, 96% chose to attend Northwestern University. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.

In the U.S. News rankings, Northwestern University is ranked #10 compared to #22 — a gap of 12 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

Boston University is located in Boston, Massachusetts, while Northwestern University is in Evanston, Illinois. 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: Northwestern University places 64.1% of graduates into large law firm positions, compared to 35.7% for the other school. This 28 percentage point gap is significant for applicants targeting BigLaw careers.

On cost, Boston University has lower tuition at $69,870 per year compared to $79,772. Combined with employment rates of 91.2% (BU) and 95.6% (NU), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants, Boston University offered a median scholarship of $126,000 compared to $105,000, a difference of $21,000 that may factor into enrollment decisions.