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Loyola Marymount University—Los Angeles logo

Loyola Marymount University—Los Angeles vs Southwestern Law School

Southwestern Law School logo

Side-by-side comparison of admissions, costs, and outcomes

Cross-Admit Decision Data

Of 13 applicants admitted to both schools:

100%
0%
Median scholarship: $129,000 Median scholarship: $135,000

Based on 13 self-reported cross-admit decisions from the last 5 cycles

View all-time data (77 cross-admits)
97% chose Loyola Marymount 3% chose Southwestern Law

77 total cross-admit decisions (all cycles)

Loyola Marymount is Top 75 · Southwestern Law is 75+ in the LSD rankings

See full LSD.Law school rankings →
About this comparison

This page compares Loyola Marymount University—Los Angeles and Southwestern Law School 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 #154 — a gap of 83 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 157, a gap of 6 points. This suggests applicants to Loyola Marymount University—Los Angeles face a more competitive admissions pool.

Both schools are located in California — Loyola Marymount University—Los Angeles in Los Angeles and Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles — meaning graduates often compete in the same regional legal market.

On cost, Southwestern Law School has lower tuition at $63,160 per year compared to $70,360. Combined with employment rates of 93.2% (Loyola Marymount) and 77.2% (Southwestern Law), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Compare Another Pair

Loyola Marymount University—Los Angeles
vs
Southwestern Law School

Admissions Comparison

2025 ABA 509

How these schools compare on LSAT, GPA, selectivity, and class composition.

Metric Loyola Marymount Southwestern Law
USN Rank #71 #154
LSD Rank Top 75 (0.005) 75+ (0.001)
LSAT 25th 160 154
LSAT Median 163 157
LSAT 75th 165 160
GPA Median 3.74 3.51
Acceptance Rate 26.1% 36.5%
Class Size 338 459
Yield Rate 28.4% 35.0%

Financial Comparison

2025 ABA 509

Tuition, scholarships, and debt burden at each school.

Metric Loyola Marymount Southwestern Law
Tuition (In-State) $70,360 $63,160
Tuition (Out-of-State) $70,360 $63,160
Median Grant $45,000 $29,166
% Receiving Grants 62.0% 72.0%
Avg. Debt at Graduation - -

Employment Outcomes

2024 ABA 509

Post-graduation employment placement, salaries, and bar passage.

Metric Loyola Marymount Southwestern Law
BigLaw (501+) 16.7% 6.9%
Judicial Clerkships 2.4% 1.4%
Median Salary (Private) $120,000 -
Employment Rate 93.2% 77.2%
Bar Pass Rate 84.2% 64.9%

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