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Head-to-head · 24 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 79% chose GW. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 24 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.

24
cross-admits
6
cycles
+0pt
YoY shift

Cross-admit decision

Of 24 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
George Washington University logo Chose GW
79%
Chose ASU Arizona State University logo
21%

Median scholarship (chose GW)

$120,000 / yr

Median scholarship (chose ASU)

$90,000 / yr
View all-time (48 cross-admits)
75% chose GW 25% chose ASU

Trend · GW's share

2019–2025

Lowest cycle

60%

Highest cycle

100%
6 cycles
100 50 0 19 20 21 22 24 25 2019: 80% 2020: 60% 2021: 71% 2022: 100% 2024: 80% 2025: 80%
GW #32 · ASU #53 LSD n≈5/yr

Admissions

Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield
2025 ABA 509
Metric
George Washington University logo
GW
Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C.
Arizona State University logo
ASU
Tempe, Arizona
USN Rank
#26
#44
LSD Rank
#32 (0.013)
Top 75 (0.006)
LSAT 25th
162
158
LSAT Median
168
165
LSAT 75th
170
167
GPA Median
3.86
3.91
Acceptance Rate
27.2%
19.8%
Class Size
612
266
Yield Rate
22.5%
28.9%

Financial

Sticker price, scholarships, and debt burden
2025 ABA 509
Metric
George Washington University logo
GW
Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C.
Arizona State University logo
ASU
Tempe, Arizona
Tuition (In-State)
$75,420
$28,390
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$75,420
$52,099
Median Grant
$28,000
$20,000
% Receiving Grants
77.0%
96.0%
Avg. Debt at Graduation
-
-

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2024 ABA Employment
Metric
George Washington University logo
GW
Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C.
Arizona State University logo
ASU
Tempe, Arizona
BigLaw (501+)
30.0%
11.0%
Judicial Clerkships
10.5%
15.8%
Median Salary (Private)
$215,000
$140,000
Employment Rate
96.5%
93.5%
Bar Pass Rate
90.2%
87.5%

Overview

About GW vs ASU

Across 24 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 79% enrolled at George Washington University and 21% at Arizona State 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 George Washington University and Arizona State University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 24 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 24 applicants admitted to both schools, 79% 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 #44 — a gap of 18 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

George Washington University is located in Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C., while Arizona State University is in Tempe, Arizona. 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, Arizona State University has lower tuition at $28,390 per year compared to $75,420. Combined with employment rates of 96.5% (GW) and 93.5% (ASU), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants, George Washington University offered a median scholarship of $120,000 compared to $90,000, a difference of $30,000 that may factor into enrollment decisions.