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Head-to-head · 25 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 64% chose Temple University. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 25 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.

25
cross-admits
2
cycles
+8pt
YoY shift

Cross-admit decision

Of 25 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
Northeastern University logo Chose NUSL
36%
Chose Temple University Temple University logo
64%

Typical aid · ABA 509 · 2025

per year
$31,000
95.0% get a grant
$34,652 net tuition
$31,334
85.0% get a grant
$1,254 net tuition

Cross-admits who enrolled · self-reported, 3-yr award

$144,000
n = 9
$101,382
n = 16
View all-time (50 cross-admits)
40% chose NUSL 60% chose Temple University

Trend · NUSL's share

2024–2025

Lowest cycle

25%

Highest cycle

33%
2 cycles
100 50 0 24 25 2024: 25% 2025: 33%
NUSL #63 · Temple University #46 LSD n≈7/yr

Admissions

Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield
2025 ABA 509
Metric
Northeastern University logo
NUSL
Boston, Massachusetts
Temple University logo
Temple University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
USN Rank
#77
#49
LSD Rank
Top 75 (0.005)
#46 (0.010)
LSAT 25th
161
162
LSAT Median
164
165
LSAT 75th
166
168
GPA Median
3.77
3.76
Acceptance Rate
24.2%
24.4%
Class Size
283
237
Yield Rate
20.4%
31.3%

Financial

Sticker price and scholarship aid
2025 ABA 509
Metric
Northeastern University logo
NUSL
Boston, Massachusetts
Temple University logo
Temple University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Tuition (In-State)
$65,652
$32,588
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$65,652
$48,996
Median Grant
$31,000
$31,334
% Receiving Grants
95.0%
85.0%

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2025 ABA Employment
Metric
Northeastern University logo
NUSL
Boston, Massachusetts
Temple University logo
Temple University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
BigLaw (501+)
16.4%
16.9%
Federal Clerkships
2.3%
2.6%
State & Local Clerkships
5.6%
12.8%
Median Salary (Private)
-
-
Employment Rate
87.8%
94.9%
Bar Pass Rate
87.4%
90.3%

Overview

About NUSL vs Temple University

Across 25 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 36% enrolled at Northeastern University and 64% at Temple University. The split has shifted +8 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 Temple University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 25 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 25 applicants admitted to both schools, 64% chose to attend Temple University. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.

In the U.S. News rankings, Temple University is ranked #49 compared to #77 — a gap of 28 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

Northeastern University is located in Boston, Massachusetts, while Temple University is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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, Temple University has lower tuition at $32,588 per year compared to $65,652. Combined with employment rates of 87.8% (NUSL) and 94.9% (Temple University), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants who enrolled, those choosing Northeastern University reported a higher median scholarship — $144,000 versus $101,382 over three years — though aid is one of several factors behind the enrollment decision.