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View all-time data (254 cross-admits)
254 total cross-admit decisions (all cycles)
SLS is #2 · YLS is #1 in the LSD rankings
See full LSD.Law school rankings →About this comparison
This page compares Stanford University and Yale University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 71 applicants admitted to both.
Based on 71 applicants admitted to both schools, 87% chose to attend Yale 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: #1 and #1, separated by just 0 positions, making cross-admit data especially useful for deciding between them.
Yale University is significantly more selective, with an acceptance rate of 4.1% compared to Stanford University's 6.1%.
Stanford University is located in Stanford, California, while Yale University is in New Haven, Connecticut. Regional placement matters: graduates tend to find employment near their law school, so location should factor into your decision alongside rankings and cost.
Among cross-admitted applicants, Stanford University offered a median scholarship of $256,000 compared to $218,500, a difference of $37,500 that may factor into enrollment decisions.
Compare Another Pair
Admissions Comparison
2025 ABA 509How these schools compare on LSAT, GPA, selectivity, and class composition.
| Metric | SLS | YLS |
|---|---|---|
| USN Rank | #1 | #1 |
| LSD Rank | #2 (22.347) | #1 (141.312) ▲ |
| LSAT 25th | 171 | 171 |
| LSAT Median | 173 | 174 ▲ |
| LSAT 75th | 176 | 177 ▲ |
| GPA Median | 3.96 | 3.96 |
| Acceptance Rate | 6.1% | 4.1% ▲ |
| Class Size | 193 | 204 |
| Yield Rate | 51.3% | 77.4% ▲ |
Financial Comparison
2025 ABA 509Tuition, scholarships, and debt burden at each school.
| Metric | SLS | YLS |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition (In-State) | $77,454 | $76,636 ▲ |
| Tuition (Out-of-State) | - ▲ | $76,636 |
| Median Grant | $52,797 ▲ | $34,747 |
| % Receiving Grants | 50.0% | 63.0% ▲ |
| Avg. Debt at Graduation | - | - |
Employment Outcomes
2024 ABA 509Post-graduation employment placement, salaries, and bar passage.
| Metric | SLS | YLS |
|---|---|---|
| BigLaw (501+) | 40.2% ▲ | 30.7% |
| Judicial Clerkships | 19.1% | 28.8% ▲ |
| Median Salary (Private) | - | - |
| Employment Rate | 85.9% ▲ | 85.6% |
| Bar Pass Rate | 96.5% | 96.5% |
Cross-Admit Decisions by Cycle
How cross-admit preferences have shifted over recent application cycles.
| Cycle | Split | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-2025 |
31%
|
13 |
| 2023-2024 |
7%
|
14 |
| 2022-2023 |
6%
|
16 |
| 2021-2022 |
15%
|
13 |
| 2020-2021 |
7%
|
15 |
| 2019-2020 |
0%
|
10 |
| 2018-2019 |
20%
|
15 |
| 2017-2018 |
30%
|
10 |
| 2016-2017 |
31%
|
13 |
| 2015-2016 |
0%
|
12 |
| 2014-2015 |
25%
|
16 |
| 2013-2014 |
17%
|
6 |
| 2012-2013 |
0%
|
9 |
| 2011-2012 |
11%
|
9 |
| 2010-2011 |
0%
|
8 |
| 2009-2010 |
40%
|
15 |
| 2008-2009 |
20%
|
15 |
| 2007-2008 |
18%
|
11 |
| 2006-2007 |
29%
|
7 |
| 2005-2006 |
8%
|
12 |
| 2004-2005 |
20%
|
10 |
| 2003-2004 |
0%
|
5 |
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