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Head-to-head · 14 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 50% chose USD. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 14 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.

14
cross-admits

Cross-admit decision

Of 14 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
University of San Diego logo Chose USD
50%
Chose UNLV University of Nevada—Las Vegas logo
50%

Median scholarship (chose USD)

$102,000 / yr

Median scholarship (chose UNLV)

$86,056 / yr
View all-time (27 cross-admits)
48% chose USD 52% chose UNLV
Rank summary
USD
#70
LSD
USN #54
UNLV
#63
LSD
USN #91
LSD rank reflects where admitted applicants actually enroll. USN ranks come from US News.

Admissions

Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield
2025 ABA 509
Metric
University of San Diego logo
USD
San Diego, California
University of Nevada—Las Vegas logo
UNLV
Las Vegas, Nevada
USN Rank
#54
#91
LSD Rank
Top 75 (0.004)
Top 75 (0.005)
LSAT 25th
160
156
LSAT Median
163
160
LSAT 75th
165
162
GPA Median
3.84
3.76
Acceptance Rate
23.5%
30.8%
Class Size
240
156
Yield Rate
24.0%
48.0%

Financial

Sticker price and scholarship aid
2025 ABA 509
Metric
University of San Diego logo
USD
San Diego, California
University of Nevada—Las Vegas logo
UNLV
Las Vegas, Nevada
Tuition (In-State)
$66,950
$31,518
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$66,950
$46,040
Median Grant
$32,000
$22,998
% Receiving Grants
91.0%
76.0%

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2025 ABA Employment
Metric
University of San Diego logo
USD
San Diego, California
University of Nevada—Las Vegas logo
UNLV
Las Vegas, Nevada
BigLaw (501+)
13.1%
7.7%
Federal Clerkships
2.1%
2.6%
State & Local Clerkships
1.7%
17.1%
Median Salary (Private)
-
-
Employment Rate
99.2%
93.2%
Bar Pass Rate
84.8%
77.2%

Overview

About USD vs UNLV

Across 14 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 50% enrolled at University of San Diego and 50% at University of Nevada—Las Vegas.

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.

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Detailed comparison narrative

This page compares University of San Diego and University of Nevada—Las Vegas across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes using official ABA 509 disclosures.

In the U.S. News rankings, University of San Diego is ranked #54 compared to #91 — a gap of 37 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

University of San Diego is located in San Diego, California, while University of Nevada—Las Vegas is in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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, University of Nevada—Las Vegas has lower tuition at $31,518 per year compared to $66,950. Combined with employment rates of 99.2% (USD) and 93.2% (UNLV), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants, University of San Diego offered a median scholarship of $102,000 compared to $86,056, a difference of $15,944 that may factor into enrollment decisions.