Head-to-head · 11 cross-admits
When applicants got into both, 82% chose Emory University. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 11 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.
Cross-admit decision
Chose Emory University
Median scholarship (chose Emory University)
Median scholarship (chose South Carolina)
View all-time (24 cross-admits)
Admissions
Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield 2025 ABA 509
Financial
Sticker price and scholarship aid 2025 ABA 509
Employment & outcomes
Post-graduation placement and bar passage 2025 ABA Employment
Related comparisons
Other popular cross-admit matchups
George Washington University
49
Georgetown University
46
University of Georgia
40
University of Michigan
35
University of North Carolina
35
Wake Forest University
24
University of Tennessee
20
University of North Carolina
16
University of Georgia
12
Emory University
11
Overview
About Emory University vs South Carolina
Across 11 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 82% enrolled at Emory University and 18% at University of South 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.
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Detailed comparison narrative
This page compares Emory University and University of South Carolina across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes using official ABA 509 disclosures.
In the U.S. News rankings, Emory University is ranked #40 compared to #62 — a gap of 22 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.
There is a meaningful difference in admissions competitiveness: Emory University has a median LSAT of 166 compared to 162, a gap of 4 points. This suggests applicants to Emory University face a more competitive admissions pool.
Emory University is located in Atlanta, Georgia, while University of South Carolina is in Columbia, South Carolina. 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: Emory University places 29.5% of graduates into large law firm positions, compared to 8.4% for the other school. This 21 percentage point gap is significant for applicants targeting BigLaw careers.
On cost, University of South Carolina has lower tuition at $20,322 per year compared to $69,510. Combined with employment rates of 91.5% (Emory University) and 93.7% (South Carolina), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.
Among cross-admitted applicants, Emory University offered a median scholarship of $116,250 compared to $57,000, a difference of $59,250 that may factor into enrollment decisions.
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