Hate ads? Verify for LSD+ → Learn More

Head-to-head · 36 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 56% chose UT. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 36 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.

36
cross-admits
20
cycles
-43pt
YoY shift

Cross-admit decision

Of 36 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
University of Texas at Austin logo Chose UT
56%
Chose Vandy Vanderbilt University logo
44%

Median scholarship (chose UT)

$97,500 / yr

Median scholarship (chose Vandy)

$153,000 / yr
View all-time (169 cross-admits)
66% chose UT 34% chose Vandy

Trend · UT's share

2005–2025

Lowest cycle

17%

Highest cycle

100%
20 cycles
100 50 0 05 06 07 08 09 10 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 2005: 60% 2006: 80% 2007: 27% 2008: 67% 2009: 64% 2010: 55% 2012: 100% 2013: 86% 2014: 75% 2015: 67% 2016: 80% 2017: 56% 2018: 75% 2019: 88% 2020: 100% 2021: 44% 2022: 75% 2023: 88% 2024: 40% 2025: 17%
UT #15 · Vandy #19 LSD n≈8/yr

Admissions

Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield
2025 ABA 509
Metric
University of Texas at Austin logo
UT
Austin, Texas
Vanderbilt University logo
Vandy
Nashville, Tennessee
USN Rank
#16
#12
LSD Rank
#15 (0.165)
#19 (0.077)
LSAT 25th
166
167
LSAT Median
172
170
LSAT 75th
173
171
GPA Median
3.89
3.91
Acceptance Rate
14.0%
13.3%
Class Size
373
172
Yield Rate
41.0%
20.9%

Financial

Sticker price, scholarships, and debt burden
2025 ABA 509
Metric
University of Texas at Austin logo
UT
Austin, Texas
Vanderbilt University logo
Vandy
Nashville, Tennessee
Tuition (In-State)
-
$76,440
Tuition (Out-of-State)
-
$76,440
Median Grant
-
$32,792
% Receiving Grants
-
90.0%
Avg. Debt at Graduation
-
-

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2024 ABA Employment
Metric
University of Texas at Austin logo
UT
Austin, Texas
Vanderbilt University logo
Vandy
Nashville, Tennessee
BigLaw (501+)
42.5%
47.6%
Judicial Clerkships
15.8%
11.4%
Median Salary (Private)
$225,000
$215,000
Employment Rate
96.4%
94.6%
Bar Pass Rate
95.6%
94.5%

Overview

About UT vs Vandy

Across 36 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 56% enrolled at University of Texas at Austin and 44% at Vanderbilt University. The split has shifted -43 points across the tracked cycles.

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 UT and Vandy? Work with a consultant who knows both — backed by this exact data.
Join waitlist →

Compare another pair

vs
Detailed comparison narrative

This page compares University of Texas at Austin and Vanderbilt University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 36 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 36 applicants admitted to both schools, 56% chose to attend University of Texas at Austin. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.

Both schools are closely ranked in U.S. News: #12 and #16, separated by just 4 positions, making cross-admit data especially useful for deciding between them.

University of Texas at Austin is located in Austin, 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.

Among cross-admitted applicants, Vanderbilt University offered a median scholarship of $153,000 compared to $97,500, a difference of $55,500 that may factor into enrollment decisions.