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Head-to-head · 35 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 94% chose UNC. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 35 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.

35
cross-admits
3
cycles
+0pt
YoY shift

Cross-admit decision

Of 35 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
Emory University logo Chose Emory University
6%
Chose UNC University of North Carolina logo
94%

Median scholarship (chose Emory University)

$132,000 / yr

Median scholarship (chose UNC)

$52,500 / yr
View all-time (62 cross-admits)
26% chose Emory University 74% chose UNC

Trend · Emory University's share

2023–2025
0%
every cycle (3)
100 50 0 23 24 25 2023: 0% 2024: 0% 2025: 0%
Emory University #32 · UNC #19 LSD n≈9/yr

Admissions

Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield
2025 ABA 509
Metric
Emory University logo
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia
University of North Carolina logo
UNC
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
USN Rank
#40
#18
LSD Rank
#32 (0.015)
#19 (0.081)
LSAT 25th
162
165
LSAT Median
166
168
LSAT 75th
168
169
GPA Median
3.82
3.89
Acceptance Rate
30.1%
11.2%
Class Size
391
181
Yield Rate
33.0%
45.5%

Financial

Sticker price and scholarship aid
2025 ABA 509
Metric
Emory University logo
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia
University of North Carolina logo
UNC
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Tuition (In-State)
$69,510
$28,082
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$69,510
$51,320
Median Grant
$36,000
$17,000
% Receiving Grants
98.0%
95.0%

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2025 ABA Employment
Metric
Emory University logo
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia
University of North Carolina logo
UNC
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
BigLaw (501+)
29.5%
24.6%
Judicial Clerkships
4.9%
13.1%
Median Salary (Private)
-
-
Employment Rate
91.5%
97.3%
Bar Pass Rate
88.4%
92.3%

Overview

About Emory University vs UNC

Across 35 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 6% enrolled at Emory University and 94% at University of North Carolina.

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.

Looking at a different matchup? Browse all comparisons or run a custom pair from the index.

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Detailed comparison narrative

This page compares Emory University and University of North Carolina across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 35 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 35 applicants admitted to both schools, 94% chose to attend University of North Carolina. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.

In the U.S. News rankings, University of North Carolina is ranked #18 compared to #40 — a gap of 22 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

University of North Carolina is significantly more selective, with an acceptance rate of 11.2% compared to Emory University's 30.1%.

Emory University is located in Atlanta, Georgia, while University of North Carolina is in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. 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 North Carolina has lower tuition at $28,082 per year compared to $69,510. Combined with employment rates of 91.5% (Emory University) and 97.3% (UNC), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants, Emory University offered a median scholarship of $132,000 compared to $52,500, a difference of $79,500 that may factor into enrollment decisions.