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Head-to-head · 11 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 73% chose NUSL. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 11 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.

11
cross-admits

Cross-admit decision

Of 11 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
Northeastern University logo Chose NUSL
73%
Chose DU University of Denver logo
27%

Typical aid · ABA 509 · 2025

per year
$31,000
95.0% get a grant
$34,652 net tuition
$30,000
78.0% get a grant
$33,390 net tuition

Cross-admits who enrolled · self-reported, 3-yr award

$108,900
n = 8
—
n < 5
Rank summary
NUSL
#55
LSD
USN #77
DU
#93
LSD
USN #91
LSD rank reflects where admitted applicants actually enroll. USN ranks come from US News.

Admissions

Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield
2025 ABA 509
Metric
Northeastern University logo
NUSL
Boston, Massachusetts
University of Denver logo
DU
Denver, Colorado
USN Rank
#77
#91
LSD Rank
Top 75 (0.006)
75+ (0.002)
LSAT 25th
161
156
LSAT Median
164
160
LSAT 75th
166
162
GPA Median
3.77
3.66
Acceptance Rate
24.2%
41.3%
Class Size
283
285
Yield Rate
20.4%
30.9%

Financial

Sticker price and scholarship aid
2025 ABA 509
Metric
Northeastern University logo
NUSL
Boston, Massachusetts
University of Denver logo
DU
Denver, Colorado
Tuition (In-State)
$65,652
$63,390
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$65,652
$63,390
Median Grant
$31,000
$30,000
% Receiving Grants
95.0%
78.0%

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2025 ABA Employment
Metric
Northeastern University logo
NUSL
Boston, Massachusetts
University of Denver logo
DU
Denver, Colorado
BigLaw (501+)
16.4%
8.1%
Federal Clerkships
2.3%
0.4%
State & Local Clerkships
5.6%
7.7%
Median Salary (Private)
-
-
Employment Rate
87.8%
87.7%
Bar Pass Rate
87.4%
84.9%

Overview

About NUSL vs DU

Across 11 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 73% enrolled at Northeastern University and 27% at University of Denver.

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.

Looking at a different matchup? Browse all comparisons or run a custom pair from the index.

Deciding between NUSL and DU? Work with a consultant who knows both — backed by this exact data.
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Compare another pair

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Detailed comparison narrative

This page compares Northeastern University and University of Denver 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%.

Northeastern University is located in Boston, Massachusetts, while University of Denver is in Denver, Colorado. Regional placement matters: graduates tend to find employment near their law school, so location should factor into your decision alongside rankings and cost.