Duke University vs George Washington University

This page compares Duke University and George Washington University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 57 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 57 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 #6 compared to #31 — a gap of 25 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

Duke University is significantly more selective, with an acceptance rate of 12.9% compared to George Washington University's 27.2%.

Duke University is located in Durham, North Carolina, 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: Duke University places 67.9% of graduates into large law firm positions, compared to 30.0% for the other school. This 38 percentage point gap is significant for applicants targeting BigLaw careers.

Among cross-admitted applicants, George Washington University offered a median scholarship of $126,000 compared to $96,000, a difference of $30,000 that may factor into enrollment decisions.