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Side-by-side comparison of admissions, costs, and outcomes
View all-time data (106 cross-admits)
106 total cross-admit decisions (all cycles)
NU is #12 · UT is #15 in the LSD rankings
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About this comparison
This page compares Northwestern University and University of Texas at Austin across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 40 applicants admitted to both.
Based on 40 applicants admitted to both schools, 80% chose to attend Northwestern 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: #10 and #14, separated by just 4 positions, making cross-admit data especially useful for deciding between them.
Northwestern University is located in Evanston, Illinois, while University of Texas at Austin is in Austin, Texas. Regional placement matters: graduates tend to find employment near their law school, so location should factor into your decision alongside rankings and cost.
Employment outcomes differ substantially: Northwestern University places 64.1% of graduates into large law firm positions, compared to 42.5% for the other school. This 22 percentage point gap is significant for applicants targeting BigLaw careers.
Among cross-admitted applicants, Northwestern University offered a median scholarship of $120,000 compared to $90,000, a difference of $30,000 that may factor into enrollment decisions.
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Admissions Comparison
2025 ABA 509How these schools compare on LSAT, GPA, selectivity, and class composition.
| Metric | NU | UT |
|---|---|---|
| USN Rank | #10 ▲ | #14 |
| LSD Rank | #12 (0.428) ▲ | #15 (0.163) |
| LSAT 25th | 167 ▲ | 166 |
| LSAT Median | 173 ▲ | 172 |
| LSAT 75th | 175 ▲ | 173 |
| GPA Median | 3.96 ▲ | 3.89 |
| Acceptance Rate | 12.3% ▲ | 14.0% |
| Class Size | 250 | 373 |
| Yield Rate | 25.0% | 41.0% ▲ |
Financial Comparison
2025 ABA 509Tuition, scholarships, and debt burden at each school.
| Metric | NU | UT |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition (In-State) | $79,772 | - |
| Tuition (Out-of-State) | $79,722 | - |
| Median Grant | $40,000 | - |
| % Receiving Grants | 76.0% | - |
| Avg. Debt at Graduation | - | - |
Employment Outcomes
2024 ABA 509Post-graduation employment placement, salaries, and bar passage.
| Metric | NU | UT |
|---|---|---|
| BigLaw (501+) | 64.1% ▲ | 42.5% |
| Judicial Clerkships | 7.4% | 15.8% ▲ |
| Median Salary (Private) | - | $225,000 |
| Employment Rate | 95.6% | 96.4% ▲ |
| Bar Pass Rate | 91.8% | 95.6% ▲ |
Cross-Admit Decisions by Cycle
How cross-admit preferences have shifted over recent application cycles.
| Cycle | Split | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-2025 |
89%
|
9 |
| 2023-2024 |
83%
|
6 |
| 2022-2023 |
43%
|
7 |
| 2021-2022 |
86%
|
7 |
| 2020-2021 |
91%
|
11 |
| 2017-2018 |
75%
|
8 |
| 2015-2016 |
50%
|
6 |
| 2012-2013 |
50%
|
6 |
| 2009-2010 |
50%
|
6 |
| 2008-2009 |
60%
|
5 |
| 2005-2006 |
50%
|
6 |
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