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Boston University vs University of Notre Dame
Side-by-side comparison of admissions, costs, and outcomes
View all-time data (67 cross-admits)
67 total cross-admit decisions (all cycles)
BU is #23 · ND is #17 in the LSD rankings
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About this comparison
This page compares Boston University and University of Notre Dame across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 24 applicants admitted to both.
Based on 24 applicants admitted to both schools, 75% chose to attend University of Notre Dame. 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: #20 and #22, separated by just 2 positions, making cross-admit data especially useful for deciding between them.
Boston University is located in Boston, Massachusetts, while University of Notre Dame is in South Bend, Indiana. Regional placement matters: graduates tend to find employment near their law school, so location should factor into your decision alongside rankings and cost.
Among cross-admitted applicants, University of Notre Dame offered a median scholarship of $120,000 compared to $106,500, a difference of $13,500 that may factor into enrollment decisions.
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Admissions Comparison
2025 ABA 509How these schools compare on LSAT, GPA, selectivity, and class composition.
| Metric | BU | ND |
|---|---|---|
| USN Rank | #22 | #20 ▲ |
| LSD Rank | #23 (0.036) | #17 (0.099) ▲ |
| LSAT 25th | 164 | 166 ▲ |
| LSAT Median | 170 | 170 |
| LSAT 75th | 171 | 171 |
| GPA Median | 3.88 | 3.89 ▲ |
| Acceptance Rate | 12.1% ▲ | 16.1% |
| Class Size | 238 | 185 |
| Yield Rate | 24.6% | 31.6% ▲ |
Financial Comparison
2025 ABA 509Tuition, scholarships, and debt burden at each school.
| Metric | BU | ND |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition (In-State) | $69,870 ▲ | $73,430 |
| Tuition (Out-of-State) | $69,870 ▲ | $73,430 |
| Median Grant | $29,000 | $30,000 ▲ |
| % Receiving Grants | 91.0% | 92.0% ▲ |
| Avg. Debt at Graduation | - | - |
Employment Outcomes
2024 ABA 509Post-graduation employment placement, salaries, and bar passage.
| Metric | BU | ND |
|---|---|---|
| BigLaw (501+) | 35.7% | 39.6% ▲ |
| Judicial Clerkships | 9.1% | 21.9% ▲ |
| Median Salary (Private) | $225,000 ▲ | $215,000 |
| Employment Rate | 91.2% | 95.2% ▲ |
| Bar Pass Rate | 92.3% ▲ | 92.2% |
Cross-Admit Decisions by Cycle
How cross-admit preferences have shifted over recent application cycles.
BU
ND
| Cycle | Split | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-2025 |
33%
|
6 |
| 2023-2024 |
17%
|
6 |
| 2022-2023 |
20%
|
5 |
| 2021-2022 |
33%
|
6 |
| 2020-2021 |
13%
|
8 |
| 2008-2009 |
0%
|
5 |
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