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Northeastern University vs Villanova University
Side-by-side comparison of admissions, costs, and outcomes
Cross-Admit Decision Data
Of 18 applicants admitted to both schools:
Based on 18 self-reported cross-admit decisions from the last 5 cycles
View all-time data (30 cross-admits)
30 total cross-admit decisions (all cycles)
NUSL is Top 75 · 'Nova is #36 in the LSD rankings
See full LSD.Law school rankings →About this comparison
This page compares Northeastern University and Villanova University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes using official ABA 509 disclosures.
In the U.S. News rankings, Villanova University is ranked #48 compared to #68 — a gap of 20 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.
Northeastern University is located in Boston, Massachusetts, while Villanova University is in Villanova, 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, Villanova University has lower tuition at $59,800 per year compared to $65,652. Combined with employment rates of 91.1% (NUSL) and 92.5% ('Nova), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.
Compare Another Pair
Admissions Comparison
2025 ABA 509How these schools compare on LSAT, GPA, selectivity, and class composition.
| Metric | NUSL | 'Nova |
|---|---|---|
| USN Rank | #68 | #48 ▲ |
| LSD Rank | Top 75 (0.007) | #36 (0.016) ▲ |
| LSAT 25th | 161 ▲ | 159 |
| LSAT Median | 164 | 164 |
| LSAT 75th | 166 | 166 |
| GPA Median | 3.77 | 3.80 ▲ |
| Acceptance Rate | 24.2% ▲ | 25.9% |
| Class Size | 283 | 232 |
| Yield Rate | 20.4% | 30.8% ▲ |
Financial Comparison
2025 ABA 509Tuition, scholarships, and debt burden at each school.
| Metric | NUSL | 'Nova |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition (In-State) | $65,652 | $59,800 ▲ |
| Tuition (Out-of-State) | $65,652 | $59,800 ▲ |
| Median Grant | $31,000 | $40,000 ▲ |
| % Receiving Grants | 95.0% ▲ | 87.0% |
| Avg. Debt at Graduation | - | - |
Employment Outcomes
2024 ABA 509Post-graduation employment placement, salaries, and bar passage.
| Metric | NUSL | 'Nova |
|---|---|---|
| BigLaw (501+) | 19.6% | 20.1% ▲ |
| Judicial Clerkships | 6.1% | 12.6% ▲ |
| Median Salary (Private) | - | $110,000 |
| Employment Rate | 91.1% | 92.5% ▲ |
| Bar Pass Rate | 87.4% | 91.3% ▲ |
Cross-Admit Decisions by Cycle
How cross-admit preferences have shifted over recent application cycles.
NUSL
'Nova
| Cycle | Split | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-2022 |
33%
|
9 |
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