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Head-to-head · 33 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 94% chose UNC. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 33 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.

33
cross-admits
2
cycles
+0pt
YoY shift

Cross-admit decision

Of 33 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
University of North Carolina logo Chose UNC
94%
Chose Emory University Emory University logo
6%

Median scholarship (chose UNC)

$52,500 / yr

Median scholarship (chose Emory University)

$132,000 / yr
View all-time (60 cross-admits)
73% chose UNC 27% chose Emory University

Trend · UNC's share

2023–2024
100%
every cycle (2)
100 50 0 23 24 2023: 100% 2024: 100%
UNC #19 · Emory University #32 LSD n≈10/yr

Admissions

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

Financial

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

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2024 ABA Employment
Metric
University of North Carolina logo
UNC
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Emory University logo
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia
BigLaw (501+)
24.8%
33.7%
Judicial Clerkships
10.0%
6.2%
Median Salary (Private)
$175,000
$202,500
Employment Rate
96.2%
92.0%
Bar Pass Rate
92.3%
88.4%

Overview

About UNC vs Emory University

Across 33 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 94% enrolled at University of North Carolina and 6% at Emory University.

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 University of North Carolina and Emory University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 33 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 33 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%.

University of North Carolina is located in Chapel Hill, 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.

On cost, University of North Carolina has lower tuition at $28,082 per year compared to $69,510. Combined with employment rates of 96.2% (UNC) 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 $132,000 compared to $52,500, a difference of $79,500 that may factor into enrollment decisions.