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Side-by-side comparison of admissions, costs, and outcomes
Cross-Admit Decision Data
Of 12 applicants admitted to both schools:
Based on 12 self-reported cross-admit decisions from the last 5 cycles
View all-time data (36 cross-admits)
36 total cross-admit decisions (all cycles)
Case Western is Top 75 · CSU is Top 150 in the LSD rankings
See full LSD.Law school rankings →About this comparison
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 #107 compared to #121 — a gap of 14 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 $105,000 compared to $51,000, a difference of $54,000 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 | Case Western | CSU |
|---|---|---|
| USN Rank | #107 ▲ | #121 |
| LSD Rank | Top 75 (0.007) ▲ | Top 150 (0.003) |
| LSAT 25th | 156 ▲ | 152 |
| LSAT Median | 162 ▲ | 155 |
| LSAT 75th | 164 ▲ | 158 |
| GPA Median | 3.76 ▲ | 3.50 |
| Acceptance Rate | 34.8% | 34.5% ▲ |
| Class Size | 180 | 195 |
| Yield Rate | 22.6% | 32.7% ▲ |
Financial Comparison
2025 ABA 509Tuition, scholarships, and debt burden at each school.
| Metric | Case Western | CSU |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition (In-State) | $64,600 | $29,766 ▲ |
| Tuition (Out-of-State) | $64,600 | $29,866 ▲ |
| Median Grant | $42,500 ▲ | $11,000 |
| % Receiving Grants | 98.0% | 98.0% |
| Avg. Debt at Graduation | - | - |
Employment Outcomes
2024 ABA 509Post-graduation employment placement, salaries, and bar passage.
| Metric | Case Western | CSU |
|---|---|---|
| BigLaw (501+) | 12.9% ▲ | 7.2% |
| Judicial Clerkships | 3.2% ▲ | 1.8% |
| Median Salary (Private) | $100,000 | $100,000 |
| Employment Rate | 89.0% | 92.8% ▲ |
| Bar Pass Rate | 81.9% ▲ | 75.5% |
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