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Chapman University vs Southwestern Law School
Side-by-side comparison of admissions, costs, and outcomes
Cross-Admit Decision Data
Of 11 applicants admitted to both schools:
Based on 11 self-reported cross-admit decisions from the last 5 cycles
View all-time data (32 cross-admits)
32 total cross-admit decisions (all cycles)
Chapman University is 75+ · Southwestern Law is 75+ in the LSD rankings
See full LSD.Law school rankings →About this comparison
This page compares Chapman University and Southwestern Law School across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes using official ABA 509 disclosures.
In the U.S. News rankings, Chapman University is ranked #104 compared to #154 — a gap of 50 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.
There is a meaningful difference in admissions competitiveness: Chapman University has a median LSAT of 163 compared to 157, a gap of 6 points. This suggests applicants to Chapman University face a more competitive admissions pool.
Chapman University is significantly more selective, with an acceptance rate of 20.5% compared to Southwestern Law School's 36.5%.
Both schools are located in California — Chapman University in Orange and Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles — meaning graduates often compete in the same regional legal market.
Among cross-admitted applicants, Chapman University offered a median scholarship of $184,500 compared to $135,000, a difference of $49,500 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 | Chapman University | Southwestern Law |
|---|---|---|
| USN Rank | #104 ▲ | #154 |
| LSD Rank | 75+ (0.002) ▲ | 75+ (0.001) |
| LSAT 25th | 156 ▲ | 154 |
| LSAT Median | 163 ▲ | 157 |
| LSAT 75th | 164 ▲ | 160 |
| GPA Median | 3.70 ▲ | 3.51 |
| Acceptance Rate | 20.5% ▲ | 36.5% |
| Class Size | 153 | 459 |
| Yield Rate | 29.5% | 35.0% ▲ |
Financial Comparison
2025 ABA 509Tuition, scholarships, and debt burden at each school.
| Metric | Chapman University | Southwestern Law |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition (In-State) | $63,126 ▲ | $63,160 |
| Tuition (Out-of-State) | $63,126 ▲ | $63,160 |
| Median Grant | $59,500 ▲ | $29,166 |
| % Receiving Grants | 59.0% | 72.0% ▲ |
| Avg. Debt at Graduation | - | - |
Employment Outcomes
2024 ABA 509Post-graduation employment placement, salaries, and bar passage.
| Metric | Chapman University | Southwestern Law |
|---|---|---|
| BigLaw (501+) | 6.2% | 6.9% ▲ |
| Judicial Clerkships | 2.1% ▲ | 1.4% |
| Median Salary (Private) | $100,000 | - |
| Employment Rate | 85.5% ▲ | 77.2% |
| Bar Pass Rate | 74.1% ▲ | 64.9% |
Cross-Admit Decisions by Cycle
How cross-admit preferences have shifted over recent application cycles.
Chapman University
Southwestern Law
| Cycle | Split | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 2009-2010 |
100%
|
6 |
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