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Head-to-head · 26 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 100% chose GULC. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 26 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.

26
cross-admits
9
cycles
+0pt
YoY shift

Cross-admit decision

Of 26 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
American University logo Chose AU
0%
Chose GULC Georgetown University logo
100%

Median scholarship (chose AU)

$120,000 / yr

Median scholarship (chose GULC)

$67,500 / yr
View all-time (90 cross-admits)
0% chose AU 100% chose GULC

Trend · AU's share

2005–2025
0%
every cycle (9)
100 50 0 05 11 14 18 19 21 23 24 25 2005: 0% 2011: 0% 2014: 0% 2018: 0% 2019: 0% 2021: 0% 2023: 0% 2024: 0% 2025: 0%
AU #119 · GULC #15 LSD n≈6/yr

Admissions

Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield
2025 ABA 509
Metric
American University logo
AU
Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C.
Georgetown University logo
GULC
Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C.
USN Rank
#108
#18
LSD Rank
75+ (0.001)
#15 (0.179)
LSAT 25th
157
166
LSAT Median
162
171
LSAT 75th
163
173
GPA Median
3.63
3.93
Acceptance Rate
33.3%
15.8%
Class Size
405
672
Yield Rate
20.2%
28.7%

Financial

Sticker price and scholarship aid
2025 ABA 509
Metric
American University logo
AU
Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C.
Georgetown University logo
GULC
Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C.
Tuition (In-State)
$66,990
$83,576
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$66,990
$83,576
Median Grant
$40,000
$35,000
% Receiving Grants
59.0%
61.0%

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2025 ABA Employment
Metric
American University logo
AU
Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C.
Georgetown University logo
GULC
Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C.
BigLaw (501+)
12.3%
54.9%
Judicial Clerkships
14.8%
9.2%
Median Salary (Private)
-
-
Employment Rate
85.0%
96.2%
Bar Pass Rate
81.3%
93.0%

Overview

About AU vs GULC

Across 26 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 0% enrolled at American University and 100% at Georgetown 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.

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Detailed comparison narrative

This page compares American University and Georgetown University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 26 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 26 applicants admitted to both schools, 100% chose to attend Georgetown University. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.

In the U.S. News rankings, Georgetown University is ranked #18 compared to #108 — a gap of 90 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

There is a meaningful difference in admissions competitiveness: Georgetown University has a median LSAT of 171 compared to 162, a gap of 9 points. This suggests applicants to Georgetown University face a more competitive admissions pool.

Georgetown University is significantly more selective, with an acceptance rate of 15.8% compared to American University's 33.3%.

Both schools are located in Washington, D.C. — American University in Washington, D.C. and Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. — meaning graduates often compete in the same regional legal market.

Employment outcomes differ substantially: Georgetown University places 54.9% of graduates into large law firm positions, compared to 12.3% for the other school. This 43 percentage point gap is significant for applicants targeting BigLaw careers.

On cost, American University has lower tuition at $66,990 per year compared to $83,576. Combined with employment rates of 85.0% (AU) and 96.2% (GULC), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants, American University offered a median scholarship of $120,000 compared to $67,500, a difference of $52,500 that may factor into enrollment decisions.