Emory University vs University of Virginia

This page compares Emory University and University of Virginia across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 39 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 39 applicants admitted to both schools, 97% chose to attend University of Virginia. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.

In the U.S. News rankings, University of Virginia is ranked #4 compared to #38 — a gap of 34 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

There is a meaningful difference in admissions competitiveness: University of Virginia has a median LSAT of 173 compared to 166, a gap of 7 points. This suggests applicants to University of Virginia face a more competitive admissions pool.

University of Virginia is significantly more selective, with an acceptance rate of 10.2% compared to Emory University's 30.1%.

Emory University is located in Atlanta, Georgia, while University of Virginia is in Charlottesville, Virginia. 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: University of Virginia places 60.2% of graduates into large law firm positions, compared to 33.7% for the other school. This 27 percentage point gap is significant for applicants targeting BigLaw careers.

Among cross-admitted applicants, Emory University offered a median scholarship of $136,500 compared to $97,500, a difference of $39,000 that may factor into enrollment decisions.