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.
Cross-admit decision
Median scholarship (chose UNLV)
Median scholarship (chose USD)
View all-time (27 cross-admits)
Admissions
Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield 2025 ABA 509Financial
Sticker price, scholarships, and debt burden 2025 ABA 509Employment & outcomes
Post-graduation placement and bar passage 2024 ABA EmploymentOverview
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.
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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.