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Head-to-head · 84 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 50% chose UMich. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 84 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.

84
cross-admits
23
cycles
+68pt
YoY shift

Cross-admit decision

Of 84 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
University of Michigan logo Chose UMich
50%
Chose NYU New York University logo
50%

Median scholarship (chose UMich)

$150,000 / yr

Median scholarship (chose NYU)

$82,500 / yr
View all-time (405 cross-admits)
37% chose UMich 63% chose NYU

Trend · UMich's share

2003–2025

Lowest cycle

13%

Highest cycle

82%
23 cycles
100 50 0 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 2003: 14% 2004: 36% 2005: 44% 2006: 27% 2007: 38% 2008: 13% 2009: 30% 2010: 24% 2011: 19% 2012: 33% 2013: 27% 2014: 43% 2015: 45% 2016: 39% 2017: 50% 2018: 38% 2019: 52% 2020: 29% 2021: 48% 2022: 25% 2023: 39% 2024: 58% 2025: 82%
UMich #9 · NYU #8 LSD n≈17/yr

Admissions

Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield
2025 ABA 509
Metric
University of Michigan logo
UMich
Ann Arbor, Michigan
New York University logo
NYU
New York City, New York
USN Rank
#9
#7
LSD Rank
#9 (1.112)
#8 (1.387)
LSAT 25th
168
169
LSAT Median
171
172
LSAT 75th
173
174
GPA Median
3.88
3.92
Acceptance Rate
8.6%
13.4%
Class Size
343
452
Yield Rate
42.7%
30.4%

Financial

Sticker price and scholarship aid
2025 ABA 509
Metric
University of Michigan logo
UMich
Ann Arbor, Michigan
New York University logo
NYU
New York City, New York
Tuition (In-State)
$76,108
$83,952
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$79,108
$83,952
Median Grant
$32,000
$20,000
% Receiving Grants
91.0%
66.0%

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2025 ABA Employment
Metric
University of Michigan logo
UMich
Ann Arbor, Michigan
New York University logo
NYU
New York City, New York
BigLaw (501+)
54.5%
62.1%
Judicial Clerkships
15.7%
7.7%
Median Salary (Private)
-
-
Employment Rate
97.7%
99.3%
Bar Pass Rate
95.6%
96.7%

Overview

About UMich vs NYU

Across 84 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 50% enrolled at University of Michigan and 50% at New York University. The split has shifted +68 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.

Deciding between UMich and NYU? Work with a consultant who knows both — backed by this exact data.
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Compare another pair

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Detailed comparison narrative

This page compares University of Michigan and New York University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 84 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 84 applicants admitted to both schools, 50% chose to attend New York University. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.

Both schools are closely ranked in U.S. News: #7 and #9, separated by just 2 positions, making cross-admit data especially useful for deciding between them.

University of Michigan is significantly more selective, with an acceptance rate of 8.6% compared to New York University's 13.4%.

University of Michigan is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, while New York University is in New York City, New York. 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, University of Michigan has lower tuition at $76,108 per year compared to $83,952. Combined with employment rates of 97.7% (UMich) and 99.3% (NYU), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants, University of Michigan offered a median scholarship of $150,000 compared to $82,500, a difference of $67,500 that may factor into enrollment decisions.