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Head-to-head · 16 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 69% chose Emory University. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 16 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.

16
cross-admits

Cross-admit decision

Of 16 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
Emory University logo Chose Emory University
69%
Chose UTKnoxville University of Tennessee logo
31%

Median scholarship (chose Emory University)

$111,000 / yr

Median scholarship (chose UTKnoxville)

$36,000 / yr
View all-time (24 cross-admits)
79% chose Emory University 21% chose UTKnoxville
Rank summary
Emory University
#32
LSD
USN #40
UTKnoxville
#53
LSD
USN #57
LSD rank reflects where admitted applicants actually enroll. USN ranks come from US News.

Admissions

Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield
2025 ABA 509
Metric
Emory University logo
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia
University of Tennessee logo
UTKnoxville
Knoxville, Tennessee
USN Rank
#40
#57
LSD Rank
#32 (0.015)
Top 75 (0.006)
LSAT 25th
162
160
LSAT Median
166
164
LSAT 75th
168
166
GPA Median
3.82
3.89
Acceptance Rate
30.1%
24.8%
Class Size
391
140
Yield Rate
33.0%
25.8%

Financial

Sticker price, scholarships, and debt burden
2025 ABA 509
Metric
Emory University logo
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia
University of Tennessee logo
UTKnoxville
Knoxville, Tennessee
Tuition (In-State)
$69,510
$16,696
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$69,510
$35,140
Median Grant
$36,000
$10,550
% Receiving Grants
98.0%
89.0%
Avg. Debt at Graduation
-
-

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2024 ABA Employment
Metric
Emory University logo
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia
University of Tennessee logo
UTKnoxville
Knoxville, Tennessee
BigLaw (501+)
33.7%
10.2%
Judicial Clerkships
6.2%
5.5%
Median Salary (Private)
$202,500
$150,000
Employment Rate
92.0%
92.1%
Bar Pass Rate
88.4%
91.9%

Overview

About Emory University vs UTKnoxville

Across 16 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 69% enrolled at Emory University and 31% at University of Tennessee.

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.

Deciding between Emory University and UTKnoxville? Work with a consultant who knows both — backed by this exact data.
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Detailed comparison narrative

This page compares Emory University and University of Tennessee 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 #57 — a gap of 17 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

Emory University is located in Atlanta, Georgia, while University of Tennessee is in Knoxville, Tennessee. 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 33.7% of graduates into large law firm positions, compared to 10.2% for the other school. This 24 percentage point gap is significant for applicants targeting BigLaw careers.

On cost, University of Tennessee has lower tuition at $16,696 per year compared to $69,510. Combined with employment rates of 92.0% (Emory University) and 92.1% (UTKnoxville), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants, Emory University offered a median scholarship of $111,000 compared to $36,000, a difference of $75,000 that may factor into enrollment decisions.