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Head-to-head · 22 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 100% chose YLS. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 22 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.

22
cross-admits
3
cycles
+0pt
YoY shift

Cross-admit decision

Of 22 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
Yale University logo Chose YLS
100%
Chose BU Boston University logo
0%

Typical aid · ABA 509 · 2025

per year
$34,747
63.0% get a grant
$41,889 net tuition
$29,000
91.0% get a grant
$40,870 net tuition
View all-time (32 cross-admits)
100% chose YLS 0% chose BU

Trend · YLS's share

2021–2025
100%
every cycle (3)
100 50 0 21 24 25 2021: 100% 2024: 100% 2025: 100%
YLS #1 · BU #22 LSD n≈6/yr

Admissions

Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield
2025 ABA 509
Metric
Yale University logo
YLS
New Haven, Connecticut
Boston University logo
BU
Boston, Massachusetts
USN Rank
#2
#24
LSD Rank
#1 (139.649)
#22 (0.040)
LSAT 25th
171
164
LSAT Median
174
170
LSAT 75th
177
171
GPA Median
3.96
3.88
Acceptance Rate
4.1%
12.1%
Class Size
204
238
Yield Rate
77.4%
24.6%

Financial

Sticker price and scholarship aid
2025 ABA 509
Metric
Yale University logo
YLS
New Haven, Connecticut
Boston University logo
BU
Boston, Massachusetts
Tuition (In-State)
$76,636
$69,870
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$76,636
$69,870
Median Grant
$34,747
$29,000
% Receiving Grants
63.0%
91.0%

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2025 ABA Employment
Metric
Yale University logo
YLS
New Haven, Connecticut
Boston University logo
BU
Boston, Massachusetts
BigLaw (501+)
31.3%
41.1%
Federal Clerkships
23.2%
1.4%
State & Local Clerkships
4.3%
7.0%
Median Salary (Private)
-
-
Employment Rate
92.9%
95.8%
Bar Pass Rate
96.5%
92.3%

Overview

About YLS vs BU

Across 22 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 100% enrolled at Yale University and 0% at Boston University.

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.

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Compare another pair

vs
Detailed comparison narrative

This page compares Yale University and Boston University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 22 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 22 applicants admitted to both schools, 100% chose to attend Yale University. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.

In the U.S. News rankings, Yale University is ranked #2 compared to #24 — a gap of 22 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

There is a meaningful difference in admissions competitiveness: Yale University has a median LSAT of 174 compared to 170, a gap of 4 points. This suggests applicants to Yale University face a more competitive admissions pool.

Yale University is significantly more selective, with an acceptance rate of 4.1% compared to Boston University's 12.1%.

Yale University is located in New Haven, Connecticut, while Boston University is in Boston, Massachusetts. 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, Boston University has lower tuition at $69,870 per year compared to $76,636. Combined with employment rates of 92.9% (YLS) and 95.8% (BU), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.