This page compares Emory University and Vanderbilt University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 28 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 28 applicants admitted to both schools, 86% 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 #12 compared to #40 — a gap of 28 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 46.7% of graduates into large law firm positions, compared to 29.5% for the other school. This 17 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 91.5% (Emory University) and 98.8% (Vandy), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants, Emory University offered a median scholarship of $142,500 compared to $95,375, a difference of $47,125 that may factor into enrollment decisions.