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Head-to-head · 14 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 50% chose UNLV. 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 Nevada—Las Vegas logo Chose UNLV
50%
Chose USD University of San Diego logo
50%

Median scholarship (chose UNLV)

$86,056 / yr

Median scholarship (chose USD)

$102,000 / yr
View all-time (27 cross-admits)
52% chose UNLV 48% chose USD
Rank summary
UNLV
#63
LSD
USN #91
USD
#70
LSD
USN #54
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 Nevada—Las Vegas logo
UNLV
Las Vegas, Nevada
University of San Diego logo
USD
San Diego, California
USN Rank
#91
#54
LSD Rank
Top 75 (0.005)
Top 75 (0.004)
LSAT 25th
156
160
LSAT Median
160
163
LSAT 75th
162
165
GPA Median
3.76
3.84
Acceptance Rate
30.8%
23.5%
Class Size
156
240
Yield Rate
48.0%
24.0%

Financial

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

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2024 ABA Employment
Metric
University of Nevada—Las Vegas logo
UNLV
Las Vegas, Nevada
University of San Diego logo
USD
San Diego, California
BigLaw (501+)
8.4%
13.3%
Judicial Clerkships
20.7%
1.2%
Median Salary (Private)
$90,000
$100,000
Employment Rate
85.5%
90.8%
Bar Pass Rate
77.2%
84.8%

Overview

About UNLV vs USD

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

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 Nevada—Las Vegas and University of San Diego 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 Nevada—Las Vegas is located in Las Vegas, Nevada, while University of San Diego is in San Diego, California. 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 85.5% (UNLV) and 90.8% (USD), 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.