George Mason University vs George Washington University

This page compares George Mason University and George Washington 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, 58% chose to attend George Washington University. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.

In the U.S. News rankings, George Washington University is ranked #26 compared to #32 — a gap of 6 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

George Mason University is significantly more selective, with an acceptance rate of 15.9% compared to George Washington University's 27.2%.

George Mason University is located in Fairfax, Virginia, while George Washington University is in Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C.. Regional placement matters: graduates tend to find employment near their law school, so location should factor into your decision alongside rankings and cost.

Employment outcomes differ substantially: George Washington University places 30.0% of graduates into large law firm positions, compared to 11.0% for the other school. This 19 percentage point gap is significant for applicants targeting BigLaw careers.

On cost, George Mason University has lower tuition at $24,864 per year compared to $75,420. Combined with employment rates of 93.6% (GMU) and 96.5% (GW), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants, George Washington University offered a median scholarship of $105,000 compared to $88,500, a difference of $16,500 that may factor into enrollment decisions.