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Head-to-head · 28 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 86% chose ND. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 28 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.

28
cross-admits
2
cycles
+3pt
YoY shift

Cross-admit decision

Of 28 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
University of Notre Dame logo Chose ND
86%
Chose Fordham Fordham University logo
14%

Median scholarship (chose ND)

$105,000 / yr

Median scholarship (chose Fordham)

$127,500 / yr
View all-time (52 cross-admits)
79% chose ND 21% chose Fordham

Trend · ND's share

2020–2022

Lowest cycle

88%

Highest cycle

90%
2 cycles
100 50 0 20 22 2020: 88% 2022: 90%
ND #17 · Fordham #24 LSD n≈9/yr

Admissions

Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield
2025 ABA 509
Metric
University of Notre Dame logo
ND
South Bend, Indiana
Fordham University logo
Fordham
Bronx, New York
USN Rank
#20
#42
LSD Rank
#17 (0.099)
#24 (0.027)
LSAT 25th
166
165
LSAT Median
170
168
LSAT 75th
171
170
GPA Median
3.89
3.79
Acceptance Rate
16.1%
16.2%
Class Size
185
444
Yield Rate
31.6%
30.3%

Financial

Sticker price, scholarships, and debt burden
2025 ABA 509
Metric
University of Notre Dame logo
ND
South Bend, Indiana
Fordham University logo
Fordham
Bronx, New York
Tuition (In-State)
$73,430
$78,078
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$73,430
$78,078
Median Grant
$30,000
$35,000
% Receiving Grants
92.0%
87.0%
Avg. Debt at Graduation
-
-

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2024 ABA Employment
Metric
University of Notre Dame logo
ND
South Bend, Indiana
Fordham University logo
Fordham
Bronx, New York
BigLaw (501+)
39.6%
42.2%
Judicial Clerkships
21.9%
4.8%
Median Salary (Private)
$215,000
$215,000
Employment Rate
95.2%
94.9%
Bar Pass Rate
92.2%
93.0%

Overview

About ND vs Fordham

Across 28 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 86% enrolled at University of Notre Dame and 14% at Fordham University. The split has shifted +3 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 University of Notre Dame and Fordham University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 28 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 28 applicants admitted to both schools, 86% chose to attend University of Notre Dame. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.

In the U.S. News rankings, University of Notre Dame is ranked #20 compared to #42 — a gap of 22 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

University of Notre Dame is located in South Bend, Indiana, while Fordham University is in Bronx, New York. Regional placement matters: graduates tend to find employment near their law school, so location should factor into your decision alongside rankings and cost.

Among cross-admitted applicants, Fordham University offered a median scholarship of $127,500 compared to $105,000, a difference of $22,500 that may factor into enrollment decisions.