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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
DU is 75+ · NUSL is Top 75 in the LSD rankings
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About this comparison
This page compares University of Denver and Northeastern University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes using official ABA 509 disclosures.
In the U.S. News rankings, Northeastern University is ranked #77 compared to #91 — 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: Northeastern University has a median LSAT of 164 compared to 160, a gap of 4 points. This suggests applicants to Northeastern University face a more competitive admissions pool.
Northeastern University is significantly more selective, with an acceptance rate of 24.2% compared to University of Denver's 41.3%.
University of Denver is located in Denver, Colorado, while Northeastern 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.
Employment outcomes differ substantially: Northeastern University places 19.6% of graduates into large law firm positions, compared to 8.6% for the other school. This 11 percentage point gap is significant for applicants targeting BigLaw careers.
Among cross-admitted applicants, University of Denver offered a median scholarship of $135,000 compared to $120,600, a difference of $14,400 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 | DU | NUSL |
|---|---|---|
| USN Rank | #91 | #77 ▲ |
| LSD Rank | 75+ (0.002) | Top 75 (0.005) ▲ |
| LSAT 25th | 156 | 161 ▲ |
| LSAT Median | 160 | 164 ▲ |
| LSAT 75th | 162 | 166 ▲ |
| GPA Median | 3.66 | 3.77 ▲ |
| Acceptance Rate | 41.3% | 24.2% ▲ |
| Class Size | 285 | 283 |
| Yield Rate | 30.9% ▲ | 20.4% |
Financial Comparison
2025 ABA 509Tuition, scholarships, and debt burden at each school.
| Metric | DU | NUSL |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition (In-State) | $63,390 ▲ | $65,652 |
| Tuition (Out-of-State) | $63,390 ▲ | $65,652 |
| Median Grant | $30,000 | $31,000 ▲ |
| % Receiving Grants | 78.0% | 95.0% ▲ |
| Avg. Debt at Graduation | - | - |
Employment Outcomes
2024 ABA 509Post-graduation employment placement, salaries, and bar passage.
| Metric | DU | NUSL |
|---|---|---|
| BigLaw (501+) | 8.6% | 19.6% ▲ |
| Judicial Clerkships | 10.8% ▲ | 6.1% |
| Median Salary (Private) | $100,000 | - |
| Employment Rate | 82.3% | 91.1% ▲ |
| Bar Pass Rate | 84.9% | 87.4% ▲ |
Cross-Admit Decisions by Cycle
How cross-admit preferences have shifted over recent application cycles.
| Cycle | Split | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-2026 |
0%
|
5 |
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