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Head-to-head · 25 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 88% chose UCLA. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 25 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.

25
cross-admits
3
cycles
+38pt
YoY shift

Cross-admit decision

Of 25 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
University of California—Los Angeles logo Chose UCLA
88%
Chose Fordham Fordham University logo
12%

Typical aid · ABA 509 · 2025

per year
$24,456
83.0% get a grant
$34,628 net tuition
$35,000
87.0% get a grant
$43,078 net tuition

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

$60,000
n = 18
—
n < 5
View all-time (55 cross-admits)
89% chose UCLA 11% chose Fordham

Trend · UCLA's share

2021–2025

Lowest cycle

63%

Highest cycle

100%
3 cycles
100 50 0 21 24 25 2021: 63% 2024: 100% 2025: 100%
UCLA #13 · Fordham #23 LSD n≈7/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
New York, New York
USN Rank
#13
#42
LSD Rank
#13 (0.237)
#23 (0.025)
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 and scholarship aid
2025 ABA 509
Metric
University of California—Los Angeles logo
UCLA
Los Angeles, California
Fordham University logo
Fordham
New York, 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%

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2025 ABA Employment
Metric
University of California—Los Angeles logo
UCLA
Los Angeles, California
Fordham University logo
Fordham
New York, New York
BigLaw (501+)
54.8%
44.8%
Federal Clerkships
3.9%
3.1%
State & Local Clerkships
0.9%
3.3%
Median Salary (Private)
-
-
Employment Rate
97.3%
90.2%
Bar Pass Rate
94.2%
93.0%

Overview

About UCLA vs Fordham

Across 25 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 88% enrolled at University of California—Los Angeles and 12% 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 25 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 25 applicants admitted to both schools, 88% 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 New York, 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 97.3% (UCLA) and 90.2% (Fordham), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.