Head-to-head · 13 cross-admits
When applicants got into both, 85% chose Case Western. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 13 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.
Cross-admit decision
Chose Case Western
Median scholarship (chose Case Western)
Median scholarship (chose CSU)
View all-time (36 cross-admits)
Admissions
Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield 2025 ABA 509
Financial
Sticker price, scholarships, and debt burden 2025 ABA 509
Employment & outcomes
Post-graduation placement and bar passage 2024 ABA Employment
Related comparisons
Other popular cross-admit matchups
Ohio State University
23
Indiana University - Bloomington
16
Northeastern University
13
Cleveland State University
13
University of Cincinnati
13
Case Western Reserve University
13
Overview
About Case Western vs CSU
Across 13 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 85% enrolled at Case Western Reserve University and 15% at Cleveland State 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.
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Detailed comparison narrative
This page compares Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland State University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes using official ABA 509 disclosures.
In the U.S. News rankings, Case Western Reserve University is ranked #100 compared to #136 — a gap of 36 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.
There is a meaningful difference in admissions competitiveness: Case Western Reserve University has a median LSAT of 162 compared to 155, a gap of 7 points. This suggests applicants to Case Western Reserve University face a more competitive admissions pool.
Both schools are located in Ohio — Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland and Cleveland State University in Cleveland — meaning graduates often compete in the same regional legal market.
On cost, Cleveland State University has lower tuition at $29,766 per year compared to $64,600. Combined with employment rates of 89.0% (Case Western) and 92.8% (CSU), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.
Among cross-admitted applicants, Case Western Reserve University offered a median scholarship of $114,900 compared to $47,250, a difference of $67,650 that may factor into enrollment decisions.