Columbia University vs George Washington University

This page compares Columbia 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, 97% chose to attend Columbia University. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.

In the U.S. News rankings, Columbia University is ranked #10 compared to #31 — a gap of 21 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

There is a meaningful difference in admissions competitiveness: Columbia University has a median LSAT of 173 compared to 168, a gap of 5 points. This suggests applicants to Columbia University face a more competitive admissions pool.

Columbia University is significantly more selective, with an acceptance rate of 11.8% compared to George Washington University's 27.2%.

Columbia University is located in New York City, New York, 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: Columbia University places 65.4% of graduates into large law firm positions, compared to 30.0% for the other school. This 35 percentage point gap is significant for applicants targeting BigLaw careers.

On cost, George Washington University has lower tuition at $75,420 per year compared to $85,368. Combined with employment rates of 95.6% (CLS) 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 $150,000 compared to $100,000, a difference of $50,000 that may factor into enrollment decisions.