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Head-to-head · 15 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 87% chose UCHastings. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 15 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.

15
cross-admits
2
cycles
-20pt
YoY shift

Cross-admit decision

Of 15 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
University of California (Hastings) logo Chose UCHastings
87%
Chose Pacific (Mcgeorge) University of the Pacific (Mcgeorge) logo
13%

Median scholarship (chose UCHastings)

$77,500 / yr

Median scholarship (chose Pacific (Mcgeorge))

$180,000 / yr
View all-time (43 cross-admits)
95% chose UCHastings 5% chose Pacific (Mcgeorge)

Trend · UCHastings's share

2007–2025

Lowest cycle

80%

Highest cycle

100%
2 cycles
100 50 0 07 25 2007: 100% 2025: 80%
UCHastings #53 · Pacific (Mcgeorge) #123 LSD n≈5/yr

Admissions

Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield
2024 ABA 509
Metric
University of California (Hastings) logo
UCHastings
San Francisco, California
University of the Pacific (Mcgeorge) logo
Pacific (Mcgeorge)
Sacramento, California
USN Rank
#85
#152
LSD Rank
Top 75 (0.005)
75+ (0.001)
LSAT 25th
157
153
LSAT Median
160
156
LSAT 75th
162
160
GPA Median
3.63
3.52
Acceptance Rate
37.5%
54.4%
Class Size
390
213
Yield Rate
27.8%
31.2%

Financial

Sticker price, scholarships, and debt burden
2024 ABA 509
Metric
University of California (Hastings) logo
UCHastings
San Francisco, California
University of the Pacific (Mcgeorge) logo
Pacific (Mcgeorge)
Sacramento, California
Tuition (In-State)
$49,383
$62,678
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$56,871
$62,678
Median Grant
-
$30,426
% Receiving Grants
-
93.0%
Avg. Debt at Graduation
-
-

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2021 ABA Employment
Metric
University of California (Hastings) logo
UCHastings
San Francisco, California
University of the Pacific (Mcgeorge) logo
Pacific (Mcgeorge)
Sacramento, California
BigLaw (501+)
-
5.5%
Judicial Clerkships
2.2%
0.0%
Median Salary (Private)
$130,000
$95,928
Employment Rate
51.3%
85.6%
Bar Pass Rate
-
70.5%

Overview

About UCHastings vs Pacific (Mcgeorge)

Across 15 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 87% enrolled at University of California (Hastings) and 13% at University of the Pacific (Mcgeorge). The split has shifted -20 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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Compare another pair

University of California (Hastings)
vs
University of the Pacific (Mcgeorge)
Detailed comparison narrative

This page compares University of California (Hastings) and University of the Pacific (Mcgeorge) across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes using official ABA 509 disclosures.

In the U.S. News rankings, University of California (Hastings) is ranked #85 compared to #152 — a gap of 67 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

There is a meaningful difference in admissions competitiveness: University of California (Hastings) has a median LSAT of 160 compared to 156, a gap of 4 points. This suggests applicants to University of California (Hastings) face a more competitive admissions pool.

Both schools are located in California — University of California (Hastings) in San Francisco and University of the Pacific (Mcgeorge) in Sacramento — meaning graduates often compete in the same regional legal market.

On cost, University of California (Hastings) has lower tuition at $49,383 per year compared to $62,678. Combined with employment rates of 51.3% (UCHastings) and 85.6% (Pacific (Mcgeorge)), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants, University of the Pacific (Mcgeorge) offered a median scholarship of $180,000 compared to $77,500, a difference of $102,500 that may factor into enrollment decisions.