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Head-to-head · 16 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 69% chose L&C. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 16 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.

16
cross-admits
4
cycles
+30pt
YoY shift

Cross-admit decision

Of 16 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
Lewis And Clark College logo Chose L&C
69%
Chose Seattle Seattle University logo
31%

Median scholarship (chose L&C)

$102,000 / yr

Median scholarship (chose Seattle)

$120,000 / yr
View all-time (41 cross-admits)
59% chose L&C 41% chose Seattle

Trend · L&C's share

2009–2024

Lowest cycle

50%

Highest cycle

80%
4 cycles
100 50 0 09 11 22 24 2009: 50% 2011: 60% 2022: 60% 2024: 80%
L&C #78 · Seattle #123 LSD n≈5/yr

Admissions

Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield
2025 ABA 509
Metric
Lewis And Clark College logo
L&C
Portland, Oregon
Seattle University logo
Seattle
Seattle, Washington
USN Rank
#112
#128
LSD Rank
75+ (0.003)
75+ (0.001)
LSAT 25th
158
155
LSAT Median
161
159
LSAT 75th
166
162
GPA Median
3.59
3.60
Acceptance Rate
54.7%
38.9%
Class Size
176
209
Yield Rate
27.6%
23.3%

Financial

Sticker price, scholarships, and debt burden
2025 ABA 509
Metric
Lewis And Clark College logo
L&C
Portland, Oregon
Seattle University logo
Seattle
Seattle, Washington
Tuition (In-State)
$61,434
-
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$61,434
-
Median Grant
$26,000
$30,000
% Receiving Grants
95.0%
87.0%
Avg. Debt at Graduation
-
-

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2024 ABA Employment
Metric
Lewis And Clark College logo
L&C
Portland, Oregon
Seattle University logo
Seattle
Seattle, Washington
BigLaw (501+)
2.6%
2.9%
Judicial Clerkships
8.8%
7.3%
Median Salary (Private)
-
$100,000
Employment Rate
82.0%
87.9%
Bar Pass Rate
85.0%
78.7%

Overview

About L&C vs Seattle

Across 16 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 69% enrolled at Lewis And Clark College and 31% at Seattle University. The split has shifted +30 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 Lewis And Clark College and Seattle University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes using official ABA 509 disclosures.

In the U.S. News rankings, Lewis And Clark College is ranked #112 compared to #128 — a gap of 16 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

Lewis And Clark College is located in Portland, Oregon, while Seattle University is in Seattle, Washington. 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, Seattle University has lower tuition at - per year compared to $61,434. Combined with employment rates of 82.0% (L&C) and 87.9% (Seattle), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants, Seattle University offered a median scholarship of $120,000 compared to $102,000, a difference of $18,000 that may factor into enrollment decisions.