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Side-by-side comparison of admissions, costs, and outcomes
View all-time data (168 cross-admits)
168 total cross-admit decisions (all cycles)
BU is #23 · GW is #36 in the LSD rankings
See full LSD.Law school rankings →About this comparison
This page compares Boston University and George Washington University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 59 applicants admitted to both.
Based on 59 applicants admitted to both schools, 75% chose to attend Boston University. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.
In the U.S. News rankings, Boston University is ranked #22 compared to #31 — a gap of 9 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.
Boston University is significantly more selective, with an acceptance rate of 12.1% compared to George Washington University's 27.2%.
Boston University is located in Boston, Massachusetts, 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, Boston University has lower tuition at $69,870 per year compared to $75,420. Combined with employment rates of 91.2% (BU) 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 $120,000 compared to $82,500, a difference of $37,500 that may factor into enrollment decisions.
Compare Another Pair
Admissions Comparison
2025 ABA 509How these schools compare on LSAT, GPA, selectivity, and class composition.
| Metric | BU | GW |
|---|---|---|
| USN Rank | #22 ▲ | #31 |
| LSD Rank | #23 (0.043) ▲ | #36 (0.016) |
| LSAT 25th | 164 ▲ | 162 |
| LSAT Median | 170 ▲ | 168 |
| LSAT 75th | 171 ▲ | 170 |
| GPA Median | 3.88 ▲ | 3.86 |
| Acceptance Rate | 12.1% ▲ | 27.2% |
| Class Size | 238 | 612 |
| Yield Rate | 24.6% ▲ | 22.5% |
Financial Comparison
2025 ABA 509Tuition, scholarships, and debt burden at each school.
| Metric | BU | GW |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition (In-State) | $69,870 ▲ | $75,420 |
| Tuition (Out-of-State) | $69,870 ▲ | $75,420 |
| Median Grant | $29,000 ▲ | $28,000 |
| % Receiving Grants | 91.0% ▲ | 77.0% |
| Avg. Debt at Graduation | - | - |
Employment Outcomes
2024 ABA 509Post-graduation employment placement, salaries, and bar passage.
| Metric | BU | GW |
|---|---|---|
| BigLaw (501+) | 35.7% ▲ | 30.0% |
| Judicial Clerkships | 9.1% | 10.5% ▲ |
| Median Salary (Private) | $225,000 ▲ | $215,000 |
| Employment Rate | 91.2% | 96.5% ▲ |
| Bar Pass Rate | 92.3% ▲ | 90.2% |
Cross-Admit Decisions by Cycle
How cross-admit preferences have shifted over recent application cycles.
| Cycle | Split | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-2025 |
69%
|
13 |
| 2023-2024 |
60%
|
15 |
| 2022-2023 |
73%
|
15 |
| 2021-2022 |
92%
|
12 |
| 2020-2021 |
73%
|
15 |
| 2017-2018 |
56%
|
9 |
| 2016-2017 |
71%
|
7 |
| 2015-2016 |
80%
|
5 |
| 2012-2013 |
83%
|
6 |
| 2009-2010 |
36%
|
14 |
| 2008-2009 |
22%
|
9 |
| 2005-2006 |
29%
|
7 |
| 2004-2005 |
20%
|
5 |
| 2003-2004 |
20%
|
5 |
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