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Head-to-head · 19 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 95% chose Vandy. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 19 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.

19
cross-admits

Cross-admit decision

Of 19 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
Vanderbilt University logo Chose Vandy
95%
Chose TAMU Texas A&M University logo
5%

Typical aid · ABA 509 · 2025

per year
$32,792
90.0% get a grant
$43,648 net tuition
$26,048
95.0% get a grant
$6,586 net tuition

Cross-admits who enrolled · self-reported, 3-yr award

$119,820
n = 15
—
n < 5
Rank summary
Vandy
#19
LSD
USN #12
TAMU
#42
LSD
USN #22
LSD rank reflects where admitted applicants actually enroll. USN ranks come from US News.

Admissions

Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield
2025 ABA 509
Metric
Vanderbilt University logo
Vandy
Nashville, Tennessee
Texas A&M University logo
TAMU
Fort Worth, Texas
USN Rank
#12
#22
LSD Rank
#19 (0.086)
#42 (0.010)
LSAT 25th
167
161
LSAT Median
170
169
LSAT 75th
171
170
GPA Median
3.91
4.00
Acceptance Rate
13.3%
12.1%
Class Size
172
128
Yield Rate
20.9%
19.1%

Financial

Sticker price and scholarship aid
2025 ABA 509
Metric
Vanderbilt University logo
Vandy
Nashville, Tennessee
Texas A&M University logo
TAMU
Fort Worth, Texas
Tuition (In-State)
$76,440
$32,634
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$76,440
$48,522
Median Grant
$32,792
$26,048
% Receiving Grants
90.0%
95.0%

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2025 ABA Employment
Metric
Vanderbilt University logo
Vandy
Nashville, Tennessee
Texas A&M University logo
TAMU
Fort Worth, Texas
BigLaw (501+)
46.7%
14.5%
Federal Clerkships
10.8%
8.1%
State & Local Clerkships
3.6%
2.4%
Median Salary (Private)
-
-
Employment Rate
98.8%
99.2%
Bar Pass Rate
94.5%
96.0%

Overview

About Vandy vs TAMU

Across 19 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 95% enrolled at Vanderbilt University and 5% at Texas A&M 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.

Looking at a different matchup? Browse all comparisons or run a custom pair from the index.

Deciding between Vandy and TAMU? Work with a consultant who knows both — backed by this exact data.
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Detailed comparison narrative

This page compares Vanderbilt University and Texas A&M University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes using official ABA 509 disclosures.

In the U.S. News rankings, Vanderbilt University is ranked #12 compared to #22 — a gap of 10 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

Vanderbilt University is located in Nashville, Tennessee, while Texas A&M University is in Fort Worth, 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: Vanderbilt University places 46.7% of graduates into large law firm positions, compared to 14.5% for the other school. This 32 percentage point gap is significant for applicants targeting BigLaw careers.

On cost, Texas A&M University has lower tuition at $32,634 per year compared to $76,440. Combined with employment rates of 98.8% (Vandy) and 99.2% (TAMU), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.