Head-to-head · 28 cross-admits
When applicants got into both, 71% chose OSU. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 28 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
Median scholarship (chose OSU)
Median scholarship (chose Case Western)
View all-time (84 cross-admits)
Trend · OSU's share
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Highest cycle
Admissions
Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield 2025 ABA 509Financial
Sticker price, scholarships, and debt burden 2025 ABA 509Employment & outcomes
Post-graduation placement and bar passage 2024 ABA EmploymentCross-admit by cycle
How preferences shifted over recent cyclesOverview
About OSU vs Case Western
Across 28 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 71% enrolled at Ohio State University and 29% at Case Western Reserve University. The split has shifted -23 points across the tracked cycles.
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 Ohio State University and Case Western Reserve University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 28 applicants admitted to both.
Based on 28 applicants admitted to both schools, 71% chose to attend Ohio State University. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.
In the U.S. News rankings, Ohio State University is ranked #30 compared to #100 — a gap of 70 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.
There is a meaningful difference in admissions competitiveness: Ohio State University has a median LSAT of 168 compared to 162, a gap of 6 points. This suggests applicants to Ohio State University face a more competitive admissions pool.
Both schools are located in Ohio — Ohio State University in Columbus and Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland — meaning graduates often compete in the same regional legal market.
On cost, Ohio State University has lower tuition at $35,650 per year compared to $64,600. Combined with employment rates of 94.4% (OSU) and 89.0% (Case Western), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.
Among cross-admitted applicants, Case Western Reserve University offered a median scholarship of $159,000 compared to $52,000, a difference of $107,000 that may factor into enrollment decisions.