Duke University vs Emory University

This page compares Duke University and Emory University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 20 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 20 applicants admitted to both schools, 100% chose to attend Duke University. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.

In the U.S. News rankings, Duke University is ranked #7 compared to #40 — a gap of 33 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

There is a meaningful difference in admissions competitiveness: Duke University has a median LSAT of 171 compared to 166, a gap of 5 points. This suggests applicants to Duke University face a more competitive admissions pool.

Duke University is significantly more selective, with an acceptance rate of 12.9% compared to Emory University's 30.1%.

Duke University is located in Durham, North Carolina, while Emory University is in Atlanta, Georgia. 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: Duke University places 67.9% of graduates into large law firm positions, compared to 33.7% for the other school. This 34 percentage point gap is significant for applicants targeting BigLaw careers.

On cost, Emory University has lower tuition at $69,510 per year compared to $80,100. Combined with employment rates of 98.2% (Duke) and 92.0% (Emory University), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants, Emory University offered a median scholarship of $154,500 compared to $75,000, a difference of $79,500 that may factor into enrollment decisions.