Head-to-head · 15 cross-admits
When applicants got into both, 60% chose Tulane University. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 15 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
Chose Tulane University
Typical aid · ABA 509 · 2025
per yearCross-admits who enrolled · self-reported, 3-yr award
View all-time (43 cross-admits)
Admissions
Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield 2025 ABA 509
Financial
Sticker price and scholarship aid 2025 ABA 509
Employment & outcomes
Post-graduation placement and bar passage 2025 ABA Employment
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Overview
About Tulane University vs LSU
Across 15 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 60% enrolled at Tulane University and 40% at Louisiana State University.
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 Tulane University and Louisiana State University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes using official ABA 509 disclosures.
In the U.S. News rankings, Tulane University is ranked #70 compared to #85 — a gap of 15 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.
There is a meaningful difference in admissions competitiveness: Tulane University has a median LSAT of 161 compared to 157, a gap of 4 points. This suggests applicants to Tulane University face a more competitive admissions pool.
Both schools are located in Louisiana — Tulane University in New Orleans and Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge — meaning graduates often compete in the same regional legal market.
Employment outcomes differ substantially: Tulane University places 19.2% of graduates into large law firm positions, compared to 3.5% for the other school. This 16 percentage point gap is significant for applicants targeting BigLaw careers.
On cost, Louisiana State University has lower tuition at $19,750 per year compared to $69,578. Combined with employment rates of 90.7% (Tulane University) and 87.9% (LSU), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.
Among cross-admitted applicants who enrolled, those choosing Tulane University reported a higher median scholarship — $135,000 versus $39,000 over three years — though aid is one of several factors behind the enrollment decision.
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