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Head-to-head · 18 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 94% chose Vandy. 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.

18
cross-admits

Cross-admit decision

Of 18 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
Texas A&M University logo Chose TAMU
6%
Chose Vandy Vanderbilt University logo
94%

Typical aid · ABA 509 · 2025

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

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

n < 5
$119,910
n = 14
Rank summary
TAMU
#38
LSD
USN #22
Vandy
#19
LSD
USN #12
LSD rank reflects where admitted applicants actually enroll. USN ranks come from US News.

Admissions

Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield
2025 ABA 509
Metric
Texas A&M University logo
TAMU
Fort Worth, Texas
Vanderbilt University logo
Vandy
Nashville, Tennessee
USN Rank
#22
#12
LSD Rank
#38 (0.012)
#19 (0.077)
LSAT 25th
161
167
LSAT Median
169
170
LSAT 75th
170
171
GPA Median
4.00
3.91
Acceptance Rate
12.1%
13.3%
Class Size
128
172
Yield Rate
19.1%
20.9%

Financial

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

Employment & outcomes

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

Overview

About TAMU vs Vandy

Across 18 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 6% enrolled at Texas A&M University and 94% at Vanderbilt 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 TAMU and Vandy? Work with a consultant who knows both — backed by this exact data.
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Detailed comparison narrative

This page compares Texas A&M University and Vanderbilt 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.

Texas A&M University is located in Fort Worth, Texas, while Vanderbilt University is in Nashville, Tennessee. 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 99.2% (TAMU) and 98.8% (Vandy), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.