Emory University vs Vanderbilt University

This page compares Emory University and Vanderbilt University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 23 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 23 applicants admitted to both schools, 87% chose to attend Vanderbilt University. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.

In the U.S. News rankings, Vanderbilt University is ranked #14 compared to #38 — a gap of 24 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

There is a meaningful difference in admissions competitiveness: Vanderbilt University has a median LSAT of 170 compared to 166, a gap of 4 points. This suggests applicants to Vanderbilt University face a more competitive admissions pool.

Vanderbilt University is significantly more selective, with an acceptance rate of 13.3% compared to Emory University's 30.1%.

Emory University is located in Atlanta, Georgia, while Vanderbilt University is in Nashville, 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: Vanderbilt University places 47.6% of graduates into large law firm positions, compared to 33.7% for the other school. This 14 percentage point gap is significant for applicants targeting BigLaw careers.

On cost, Emory University has lower tuition at $69,510 per year compared to $76,440. Combined with employment rates of 92.0% (Emory University) and 94.6% (Vandy), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants, Emory University offered a median scholarship of $140,250 compared to $95,375, a difference of $44,875 that may factor into enrollment decisions.