Head-to-head · 30 cross-admits
When applicants got into both, 80% chose UCD. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 30 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.
Cross-admit decision
Typical aid · ABA 509 · 2025
per yearCross-admits who enrolled · self-reported, 3-yr award
View all-time (90 cross-admits)
Trend · Loyola Marymount's share
Lowest cycle
Highest cycle
Admissions
Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield 2025 ABA 509Financial
Sticker price and scholarship aid 2025 ABA 509Employment & outcomes
Post-graduation placement and bar passage 2025 ABA EmploymentCross-admit by cycle
How preferences shifted over recent cyclesOverview
About Loyola Marymount vs UCD
Across 30 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 20% enrolled at Loyola Marymount University—Los Angeles and 80% at University of California—Davis. The split has shifted -10 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.
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Detailed comparison narrative
This page compares Loyola Marymount University—Los Angeles and University of California—Davis across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 30 applicants admitted to both.
Based on 30 applicants admitted to both schools, 80% chose to attend University of California—Davis. 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—Davis is ranked #52 compared to #70 — a gap of 18 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.
University of California—Davis is significantly more selective, with an acceptance rate of 16.0% compared to Loyola Marymount University—Los Angeles's 26.1%.
Both schools are located in California — Loyola Marymount University—Los Angeles in Los Angeles and University of California—Davis in Davis — meaning graduates often compete in the same regional legal market.
On cost, University of California—Davis has lower tuition at $57,460 per year compared to $70,360. Combined with employment rates of 91.0% (Loyola Marymount) and 95.6% (UCD), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.
Among cross-admitted applicants who enrolled, those choosing Loyola Marymount University—Los Angeles reported a higher median scholarship — $142,500 versus $101,250 over three years — though aid is one of several factors behind the enrollment decision.
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