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Head-to-head · 25 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 80% chose GW. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 25 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.

25
cross-admits
6
cycles
-3pt
YoY shift

Cross-admit decision

Of 25 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
Arizona State University logo Chose ASU
20%
Chose GW George Washington University logo
80%

Median scholarship (chose ASU)

$90,000 / yr

Median scholarship (chose GW)

$120,000 / yr
View all-time (49 cross-admits)
25% chose ASU 75% chose GW

Trend · ASU's share

2019–2025

Lowest cycle

0%

Highest cycle

40%
6 cycles
100 50 0 19 20 21 22 24 25 2019: 20% 2020: 40% 2021: 29% 2022: 0% 2024: 20% 2025: 17%
ASU #53 · GW #32 LSD n≈5/yr

Admissions

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

Financial

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

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2025 ABA Employment
Metric
Arizona State University logo
ASU
Tempe, Arizona
George Washington University logo
GW
Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C.
BigLaw (501+)
14.5%
24.1%
Federal Clerkships
2.1%
2.6%
State & Local Clerkships
7.9%
7.2%
Median Salary (Private)
-
-
Employment Rate
93.8%
96.8%
Bar Pass Rate
87.5%
90.2%

Overview

About ASU vs GW

Across 25 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 20% enrolled at Arizona State University and 80% at George Washington University. The split has shifted -3 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.

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Detailed comparison narrative

This page compares Arizona State University and George Washington University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 25 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 25 applicants admitted to both schools, 80% 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.

Arizona State University is located in Tempe, Arizona, 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.

On cost, Arizona State University has lower tuition at $28,390 per year compared to $75,420. Combined with employment rates of 93.8% (ASU) and 96.8% (GW), 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.