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Head-to-head · 26 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 65% chose Emory University. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 26 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.

26
cross-admits
4
cycles
+7pt
YoY shift

Cross-admit decision

Of 26 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
Emory University logo Chose Emory University
65%
Chose NUSL Northeastern University logo
35%

Median scholarship (chose Emory University)

$106,500 / yr

Median scholarship (chose NUSL)

$123,000 / yr
View all-time (37 cross-admits)
73% chose Emory University 27% chose NUSL

Trend · Emory University's share

2021–2024

Lowest cycle

50%

Highest cycle

71%
4 cycles
100 50 0 21 22 23 24 2021: 60% 2022: 71% 2023: 50% 2024: 67%
Emory University #32 · NUSL #63 LSD n≈6/yr

Admissions

Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield
2025 ABA 509
Metric
Emory University logo
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia
Northeastern University logo
NUSL
Boston, Massachusetts
USN Rank
#40
#77
LSD Rank
#32 (0.015)
Top 75 (0.005)
LSAT 25th
162
161
LSAT Median
166
164
LSAT 75th
168
166
GPA Median
3.82
3.77
Acceptance Rate
30.1%
24.2%
Class Size
391
283
Yield Rate
33.0%
20.4%

Financial

Sticker price, scholarships, and debt burden
2025 ABA 509
Metric
Emory University logo
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia
Northeastern University logo
NUSL
Boston, Massachusetts
Tuition (In-State)
$69,510
$65,652
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$69,510
$65,652
Median Grant
$36,000
$31,000
% Receiving Grants
98.0%
95.0%
Avg. Debt at Graduation
-
-

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2024 ABA Employment
Metric
Emory University logo
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia
Northeastern University logo
NUSL
Boston, Massachusetts
BigLaw (501+)
33.7%
19.6%
Judicial Clerkships
6.2%
6.1%
Median Salary (Private)
$202,500
-
Employment Rate
92.0%
91.1%
Bar Pass Rate
88.4%
87.4%

Overview

About Emory University vs NUSL

Across 26 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 65% enrolled at Emory University and 35% at Northeastern University. The split has shifted +7 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.

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

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Detailed comparison narrative

This page compares Emory University and Northeastern University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 26 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 26 applicants admitted to both schools, 65% chose to attend Emory University. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.

In the U.S. News rankings, Emory University is ranked #40 compared to #77 — a gap of 37 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

Emory University is located in Atlanta, Georgia, 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: Emory University places 33.7% of graduates into large law firm positions, compared to 19.6% for the other school. This 14 percentage point gap is significant for applicants targeting BigLaw careers.

Among cross-admitted applicants, Northeastern University offered a median scholarship of $123,000 compared to $106,500, a difference of $16,500 that may factor into enrollment decisions.