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Head-to-head · 38 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 90% chose NUSL. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 38 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.

38
cross-admits
4
cycles
+11pt
YoY shift

Cross-admit decision

Of 38 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
Northeastern University logo Chose NUSL
90%
Chose Suffolk University Suffolk University logo
10%

Median scholarship (chose NUSL)

$143,700 / yr

Median scholarship (chose Suffolk University)

$114,000 / yr
View all-time (66 cross-admits)
85% chose NUSL 15% chose Suffolk University

Trend · NUSL's share

2021–2025

Lowest cycle

78%

Highest cycle

100%
4 cycles
100 50 0 21 22 24 25 2021: 89% 2022: 78% 2024: 100% 2025: 100%
NUSL #63 · Suffolk University #123 LSD n≈8/yr

Admissions

Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield
2026 ABA 509
Metric
Northeastern University logo
NUSL
Boston, Massachusetts
Suffolk University logo
Suffolk University
Boston, Massachusetts
USN Rank
#77
#128
LSD Rank
Top 75 (0.005)
75+ (0.001)
LSAT 25th
-
-
LSAT Median
-
-
LSAT 75th
-
-
GPA Median
-
-
Acceptance Rate
-
-
Class Size
-
-
Yield Rate
-
-

Financial

Sticker price, scholarships, and debt burden
2026 ABA 509
Metric
Northeastern University logo
NUSL
Boston, Massachusetts
Suffolk University logo
Suffolk University
Boston, Massachusetts
Tuition (In-State)
-
-
Tuition (Out-of-State)
-
-
Median Grant
-
-
% Receiving Grants
-
-
Avg. Debt at Graduation
-
-

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2025 ABA Employment
Metric
Northeastern University logo
NUSL
Boston, Massachusetts
Suffolk University logo
Suffolk University
Boston, Massachusetts
BigLaw (501+)
16.4%
9.2%
Judicial Clerkships
8.0%
4.7%
Median Salary (Private)
-
-
Employment Rate
87.8%
88.8%
Bar Pass Rate
90.5%
80.8%

Overview

About NUSL vs Suffolk University

Across 38 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 90% enrolled at Northeastern University and 10% at Suffolk University. The split has shifted +11 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.

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Detailed comparison narrative

This page compares Northeastern University and Suffolk University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 38 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 38 applicants admitted to both schools, 90% chose to attend Northeastern University. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.

In the U.S. News rankings, Northeastern University is ranked #77 compared to #128 — a gap of 51 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

Both schools are located in Massachusetts — Northeastern University in Boston and Suffolk University in Boston — meaning graduates often compete in the same regional legal market.

Among cross-admitted applicants, Northeastern University offered a median scholarship of $143,700 compared to $114,000, a difference of $29,700 that may factor into enrollment decisions.