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Head-to-head · 22 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 86% chose UCLA. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 22 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.

22
cross-admits
2
cycles
+38pt
YoY shift

Cross-admit decision

Of 22 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
University of California—Los Angeles logo Chose UCLA
86%
Chose Fordham Fordham University logo
14%

Median scholarship (chose UCLA)

$62,500 / yr

Median scholarship (chose Fordham)

$132,500 / yr
View all-time (52 cross-admits)
89% chose UCLA 11% chose Fordham

Trend · UCLA's share

2021–2024

Lowest cycle

63%

Highest cycle

100%
2 cycles
100 50 0 21 24 2021: 63% 2024: 100%
UCLA #13 · Fordham #24 LSD n≈8/yr

Admissions

Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield
2025 ABA 509
Metric
University of California—Los Angeles logo
UCLA
Los Angeles, California
Fordham University logo
Fordham
Bronx, New York
USN Rank
#13
#42
LSD Rank
#13 (0.237)
#24 (0.027)
LSAT 25th
166
165
LSAT Median
171
168
LSAT 75th
172
170
GPA Median
3.95
3.79
Acceptance Rate
12.1%
16.2%
Class Size
328
444
Yield Rate
31.0%
30.3%

Financial

Sticker price, scholarships, and debt burden
2025 ABA 509
Metric
University of California—Los Angeles logo
UCLA
Los Angeles, California
Fordham University logo
Fordham
Bronx, New York
Tuition (In-State)
$59,084
$78,078
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$71,329
$78,078
Median Grant
$24,456
$35,000
% Receiving Grants
83.0%
87.0%
Avg. Debt at Graduation
-
-

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2024 ABA Employment
Metric
University of California—Los Angeles logo
UCLA
Los Angeles, California
Fordham University logo
Fordham
Bronx, New York
BigLaw (501+)
50.5%
42.2%
Judicial Clerkships
6.2%
4.8%
Median Salary (Private)
-
$215,000
Employment Rate
94.4%
94.9%
Bar Pass Rate
94.2%
93.0%

Overview

About UCLA vs Fordham

Across 22 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 86% enrolled at University of California—Los Angeles and 14% at Fordham University. The split has shifted +38 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 California—Los Angeles and Fordham University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 22 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 22 applicants admitted to both schools, 86% chose to attend University of California—Los Angeles. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.

In the U.S. News rankings, University of California—Los Angeles is ranked #13 compared to #42 — a gap of 29 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

University of California—Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, California, 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.

On cost, University of California—Los Angeles has lower tuition at $59,084 per year compared to $78,078. Combined with employment rates of 94.4% (UCLA) and 94.9% (Fordham), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants, Fordham University offered a median scholarship of $132,500 compared to $62,500, a difference of $70,000 that may factor into enrollment decisions.