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Head-to-head · 46 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 52% chose GW. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 46 self-reported decisions and ABA 509 filings.

Choice, not ranking

These are decisions, not opinions. Scholarship offers, location, intended practice, and personal fit are all priced into the split.

46
cross-admits
13
cycles
+17pt
YoY shift

Cross-admit decision

Of 46 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
Emory University logo Chose Emory University
48%
Chose GW George Washington University logo
52%

Median scholarship (chose Emory University)

$115,500 / yr

Median scholarship (chose GW)

$82,500 / yr
View all-time (128 cross-admits)
45% chose Emory University 55% chose GW

Trend · Emory University's share

2004–2025

Lowest cycle

20%

Highest cycle

60%
13 cycles
100 50 0 04 05 07 08 09 17 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 2004: 33% 2005: 33% 2007: 60% 2008: 40% 2009: 50% 2017: 20% 2019: 40% 2020: 33% 2021: 36% 2022: 43% 2023: 57% 2024: 53% 2025: 50%
Emory University #32 · GW #32 LSD n≈7/yr

Admissions

Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield
2025 ABA 509
Metric
Emory University logo
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia
George Washington University logo
GW
Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C.
USN Rank
#40
#26
LSD Rank
#32 (0.015)
#32 (0.013)
LSAT 25th
162
162
LSAT Median
166
168
LSAT 75th
168
170
GPA Median
3.82
3.86
Acceptance Rate
30.1%
27.2%
Class Size
391
612
Yield Rate
33.0%
22.5%

Financial

Sticker price, scholarships, and debt burden
2025 ABA 509
Metric
Emory University logo
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia
George Washington University logo
GW
Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C.
Tuition (In-State)
$69,510
$75,420
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$69,510
$75,420
Median Grant
$36,000
$28,000
% Receiving Grants
98.0%
77.0%
Avg. Debt at Graduation
-
-

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2024 ABA Employment
Metric
Emory University logo
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia
George Washington University logo
GW
Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C.
BigLaw (501+)
33.7%
30.0%
Judicial Clerkships
6.2%
10.5%
Median Salary (Private)
$202,500
$215,000
Employment Rate
92.0%
96.5%
Bar Pass Rate
88.4%
90.2%

Overview

About Emory University vs GW

Across 46 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 48% enrolled at Emory University and 52% at George Washington University. The split has shifted +17 points across the tracked cycles.

These numbers reflect every factor that goes into a real decision: scholarship offers, geographic preference, intended practice area, and fit. Choosing one school doesn't mean it's "better" — it means the pool of cross-admits, weighing their options, ended up there more often. Pair this with the scholarship distribution and employment outcomes above for full context.

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Detailed comparison narrative

This page compares Emory University and George Washington University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 46 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 46 applicants admitted to both schools, 52% chose to attend George Washington University. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.

In the U.S. News rankings, George Washington University is ranked #26 compared to #40 — a gap of 14 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

Emory University is located in Atlanta, Georgia, 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, Emory University has lower tuition at $69,510 per year compared to $75,420. Combined with employment rates of 92.0% (Emory University) and 96.5% (GW), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants, Emory University offered a median scholarship of $115,500 compared to $82,500, a difference of $33,000 that may factor into enrollment decisions.