Head-to-head · 18 cross-admits
When applicants got into both, 89% chose 'Nova. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 18 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.
Cross-admit decision
Chose Rutgers University
Typical aid · ABA 509 · 2025
per yearCross-admits who enrolled · self-reported, 3-yr award
View all-time (20 cross-admits)
Admissions
Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield 2025 ABA 509
Financial
Sticker price and scholarship aid 2025 ABA 509
Employment & outcomes
Post-graduation placement and bar passage 2025 ABA Employment
Cross-admit by cycle
How preferences shifted over recent cyclesRelated comparisons
Other popular cross-admit matchups
Seton Hall University
41
Temple University
26
Drexel University
19
New York Law School
14
Villanova University
13
Overview
About Rutgers University vs 'Nova
Across 18 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 11% enrolled at Rutgers University and 89% at Villanova University.
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.
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Detailed comparison narrative
This page compares Rutgers 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 #49 compared to #100 — 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: Villanova University has a median LSAT of 164 compared to 158, a gap of 6 points. This suggests applicants to Villanova University face a more competitive admissions pool.
Rutgers University is located in Camden, New Jersey, 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, Rutgers University has lower tuition at $31,577 per year compared to $59,800. Combined with employment rates of 89.9% (Rutgers University) and 94.6% ('Nova), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.
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