Which has a higher LSAT median, Duke University or Northwestern University?

Northwestern University has a higher median LSAT of 173, compared to 171. This is a difference of 2 points.

When admitted to both Duke University and Northwestern University, which do students choose?

Of 58 applicants admitted to both schools, 66% chose Duke University. This is based on cross-admit decisions self-reported by LSD.Law users.

Which school has better BigLaw placement, Duke University or Northwestern University?

Duke University places 67.9% of graduates into large law firms (501+ attorneys), compared to 64.1% for the other school.

Duke University vs Northwestern University

Side-by-side comparison of admissions, costs, and outcomes

Cross-Admit Decision Data

Of 58 applicants admitted to both schools:

Chose Duke Chose NU

66%

35%

Median scholarship: $117,000 Median scholarship: $120,000

Based on 58 self-reported cross-admit decisions from the last 5 cycles

View all-time data (181 cross-admits)

49% chose Duke 51% chose NU

181 total cross-admit decisions (all cycles)

Duke is #11 · NU is #12 in the LSD rankings

See full LSD.Law school rankings →

About this comparison

This page compares Duke University and Northwestern University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 58 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 58 applicants admitted to both schools, 66% chose to attend Duke University. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.

Both schools are closely ranked in U.S. News: #6 and #10, separated by just 4 positions, making cross-admit data especially useful for deciding between them.

Duke University is located in Durham, North Carolina, while Northwestern University is in Evanston, Illinois. Regional placement matters: graduates tend to find employment near their law school, so location should factor into your decision alongside rankings and cost.

Compare Another Pair

Admissions Financial Employment Trends Related

Admissions Comparison

2025 ABA 509

How these schools compare on LSAT, GPA, selectivity, and class composition.

Metric	Duke	NU
USN Rank	#6 ▲	#10
LSD Rank	#11 (0.711) ▲	#12 (0.471)
LSAT 25th	169 ▲	167
LSAT Median	171	173 ▲
LSAT 75th	172	175 ▲
GPA Median	3.91	3.96 ▲
Acceptance Rate	12.9%	12.3% ▲
Class Size	227	250
Yield Rate	27.6% ▲	25.0%

Financial Comparison

2025 ABA 509

Tuition, scholarships, and debt burden at each school.

Metric	Duke	NU
Tuition (In-State)	$80,100	$79,772 ▲
Tuition (Out-of-State)	$80,100	$79,722 ▲
Median Grant	$35,000	$40,000 ▲
% Receiving Grants	94.0% ▲	76.0%
Avg. Debt at Graduation	-	-

Employment Outcomes

2024 ABA 509

Post-graduation employment placement, salaries, and bar passage.

Metric	Duke	NU
BigLaw (501+)	67.9% ▲	64.1%
Judicial Clerkships	13.4% ▲	7.4%
Median Salary (Private)	-	-
Employment Rate	98.2% ▲	95.6%
Bar Pass Rate	97.5% ▲	91.8%

Cross-Admit Decisions by Cycle

How cross-admit preferences have shifted over recent application cycles.

Duke NU

Cycle	Split	Total
2024-2025	50% 50%	10
2023-2024	100% 0%	6
2022-2023	92% 8%	12
2021-2022	82% 18%	11
2020-2021	37% 63%	19
2019-2020	57% 43%	7
2018-2019	20% 80%	5
2017-2018	20% 80%	10
2016-2017	56% 44%	9
2015-2016	11% 89%	9
2014-2015	27% 73%	11
2013-2014	60% 40%	10
2012-2013	73% 27%	11
2011-2012	13% 87%	8
2010-2011	63% 37%	8
2009-2010	40% 60%	5
2008-2009	44% 56%	9
2007-2008	17% 83%	6
2005-2006	67% 33%	6