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Side-by-side comparison of admissions, costs, and outcomes
Cross-Admit Decision Data
Of 16 applicants admitted to both schools:
Based on 16 self-reported cross-admit decisions from the last 5 cycles
View all-time data (69 cross-admits)
69 total cross-admit decisions (all cycles)
Loyola Marymount is Top 75 · Santa is 150+ in the LSD rankings
See full LSD.Law school rankings →About this comparison
This page compares Loyola Marymount University—Los Angeles and Santa Clara University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes using official ABA 509 disclosures.
In the U.S. News rankings, Loyola Marymount University—Los Angeles is ranked #71 compared to #156 — a gap of 85 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.
There is a meaningful difference in admissions competitiveness: Loyola Marymount University—Los Angeles has a median LSAT of 163 compared to 159, a gap of 4 points. This suggests applicants to Loyola Marymount University—Los Angeles face a more competitive admissions pool.
Loyola Marymount University—Los Angeles is significantly more selective, with an acceptance rate of 26.1% compared to Santa Clara University's 52.6%.
Both schools are located in California — Loyola Marymount University—Los Angeles in Los Angeles and Santa Clara University in Santa Clara — meaning graduates often compete in the same regional legal market.
On cost, Santa Clara University has lower tuition at - per year compared to $70,360. Combined with employment rates of 93.2% (Loyola Marymount) and 82.2% (Santa), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.
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Admissions Comparison
2025 ABA 509How these schools compare on LSAT, GPA, selectivity, and class composition.
| Metric | Loyola Marymount | Santa |
|---|---|---|
| USN Rank | #71 ▲ | #156 |
| LSD Rank | Top 75 (0.007) ▲ | 150+ (0.001) |
| LSAT 25th | 160 ▲ | 157 |
| LSAT Median | 163 ▲ | 159 |
| LSAT 75th | 165 ▲ | 162 |
| GPA Median | 3.74 ▲ | 3.50 |
| Acceptance Rate | 26.1% ▲ | 52.6% |
| Class Size | 338 | 256 |
| Yield Rate | 28.4% ▲ | 18.7% |
Financial Comparison
2025 ABA 509Tuition, scholarships, and debt burden at each school.
| Metric | Loyola Marymount | Santa |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition (In-State) | $70,360 | - ▲ |
| Tuition (Out-of-State) | $70,360 | - ▲ |
| Median Grant | $45,000 ▲ | $40,000 |
| % Receiving Grants | 62.0% ▲ | 61.0% |
| Avg. Debt at Graduation | - | - |
Employment Outcomes
2024 ABA 509Post-graduation employment placement, salaries, and bar passage.
| Metric | Loyola Marymount | Santa |
|---|---|---|
| BigLaw (501+) | 16.7% | 19.8% ▲ |
| Judicial Clerkships | 2.4% ▲ | 1.0% |
| Median Salary (Private) | $120,000 | $170,400 ▲ |
| Employment Rate | 93.2% ▲ | 82.2% |
| Bar Pass Rate | 84.2% ▲ | 74.8% |
Cross-Admit Decisions by Cycle
How cross-admit preferences have shifted over recent application cycles.
| Cycle | Split | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-2025 |
100%
|
5 |
| 2022-2023 |
50%
|
6 |
| 2016-2017 |
100%
|
5 |
| 2007-2008 |
80%
|
5 |
| 2006-2007 |
86%
|
7 |
| 2005-2006 |
91%
|
11 |
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