Santa Clara University logo

Santa Clara University vs University of California (Hastings)

University of California (Hastings) logo

Side-by-side comparison of admissions, costs, and outcomes

Cross-Admit Decision Data

Of 39 applicants admitted to both schools:

5%
95%
Median scholarship: $120,000 Median scholarship: $60,000

Based on 39 self-reported cross-admit decisions from the last 5 cycles

View all-time data (99 cross-admits)
5% chose Santa 95% chose UCHastings

99 total cross-admit decisions (all cycles)

Santa is 75+ · UCHastings is Top 75 in the LSD rankings

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About this comparison

This page compares Santa Clara University and University of California (Hastings) across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 39 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 39 applicants admitted to both schools, 95% chose to attend University of California (Hastings). This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.

In the U.S. News rankings, University of California (Hastings) is ranked #88 compared to #156 — a gap of 68 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

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

On cost, Santa Clara University has lower tuition at - per year compared to $49,383. Combined with employment rates of 82.2% (Santa) and 51.3% (UCHastings), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants, Santa Clara University offered a median scholarship of $120,000 compared to $60,000, a difference of $60,000 that may factor into enrollment decisions.

Compare Another Pair

Santa Clara University
vs
University of California (Hastings)

Admissions Comparison

2025 ABA 509

How these schools compare on LSAT, GPA, selectivity, and class composition.

Metric Santa UCHastings
USN Rank #156 #88
LSD Rank 75+ (0.001) Top 75 (0.005)
LSAT 25th 157 157
LSAT Median 159 160
LSAT 75th 162 162
GPA Median 3.50 3.63
Acceptance Rate 52.6% 37.5%
Class Size 256 390
Yield Rate 18.7% 27.8%

Financial Comparison

2025 ABA 509

Tuition, scholarships, and debt burden at each school.

Metric Santa UCHastings
Tuition (In-State) - $49,383
Tuition (Out-of-State) - $56,871
Median Grant $40,000 -
% Receiving Grants 61.0% -
Avg. Debt at Graduation - -

Employment Outcomes

2024 ABA 509

Post-graduation employment placement, salaries, and bar passage.

Metric Santa UCHastings
BigLaw (501+) 19.8% -
Judicial Clerkships 1.0% 2.2%
Median Salary (Private) $170,400 $130,000
Employment Rate 82.2% 51.3%
Bar Pass Rate 74.8% -

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