Duke University vs University of Virginia

This page compares Duke University and University of Virginia across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 60 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 60 applicants admitted to both schools, 72% chose to attend University of Virginia. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.

Both schools are closely ranked in U.S. News: #4 and #6, separated by just 2 positions, making cross-admit data especially useful for deciding between them.

Duke University is located in Durham, North Carolina, while University of Virginia is in Charlottesville, Virginia. 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, University of Virginia has lower tuition at $74,078 per year compared to $80,100. Combined with employment rates of 98.2% (Duke) and 95.3% (UVA), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants, University of Virginia offered a median scholarship of $142,500 compared to $120,000, a difference of $22,500 that may factor into enrollment decisions.