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Head-to-head · 37 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 89% chose NUSL. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 37 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.

37
cross-admits
4
cycles
+11pt
YoY shift

Cross-admit decision

Of 37 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
Northeastern University logo Chose NUSL
89%
Chose Suffolk University Suffolk University logo
11%

Median scholarship (chose NUSL)

$143,400 / yr

Median scholarship (chose Suffolk University)

$109,500 / yr
View all-time (65 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
2025 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
161
152
LSAT Median
164
155
LSAT 75th
166
159
GPA Median
3.77
3.58
Acceptance Rate
24.2%
61.9%
Class Size
283
544
Yield Rate
20.4%
25.1%

Financial

Sticker price, scholarships, and debt burden
2025 ABA 509
Metric
Northeastern University logo
NUSL
Boston, Massachusetts
Suffolk University logo
Suffolk University
Boston, Massachusetts
Tuition (In-State)
$65,652
$62,610
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$65,652
$62,610
Median Grant
$31,000
$22,445
% Receiving Grants
95.0%
81.0%
Avg. Debt at Graduation
-
-

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2024 ABA Employment
Metric
Northeastern University logo
NUSL
Boston, Massachusetts
Suffolk University logo
Suffolk University
Boston, Massachusetts
BigLaw (501+)
19.6%
12.2%
Judicial Clerkships
6.1%
3.2%
Median Salary (Private)
-
$100,000
Employment Rate
91.1%
87.1%
Bar Pass Rate
87.4%
79.4%

Overview

About NUSL vs Suffolk University

Across 37 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 89% enrolled at Northeastern University and 11% 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 37 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 37 applicants admitted to both schools, 89% 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.

There is a meaningful difference in admissions competitiveness: Northeastern University has a median LSAT of 164 compared to 155, a gap of 9 points. This suggests applicants to Northeastern University face a more competitive admissions pool.

Northeastern University is significantly more selective, with an acceptance rate of 24.2% compared to Suffolk University's 61.9%.

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 $143,400 compared to $109,500, a difference of $33,900 that may factor into enrollment decisions.