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Emory University vs Washington and Lee University
Side-by-side comparison of admissions, costs, and outcomes
Cross-Admit Decision Data
Of 18 applicants admitted to both schools:
Based on 18 self-reported cross-admit decisions from the last 5 cycles
View all-time data (72 cross-admits)
72 total cross-admit decisions (all cycles)
Emory University is #32 · W&L is #44 in the LSD rankings
See full LSD.Law school rankings →About this comparison
This page compares Emory University and Washington and Lee University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes using official ABA 509 disclosures.
Both schools are closely ranked in U.S. News: #36 and #38, separated by just 2 positions, making cross-admit data especially useful for deciding between them.
Emory University is located in Atlanta, Georgia, while Washington and Lee University is in Lexington, 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: Emory University places 33.7% of graduates into large law firm positions, compared to 21.3% for the other school. This 12 percentage point gap is significant for applicants targeting BigLaw careers.
On cost, Washington and Lee University has lower tuition at $57,450 per year compared to $69,510. Combined with employment rates of 92.0% (Emory University) and 95.0% (W&L), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.
Compare Another Pair
Admissions Comparison
2025 ABA 509How these schools compare on LSAT, GPA, selectivity, and class composition.
| Metric | Emory University | W&L |
|---|---|---|
| USN Rank | #38 | #36 ▲ |
| LSD Rank | #32 (0.019) ▲ | #44 (0.012) |
| LSAT 25th | 162 ▲ | 161 |
| LSAT Median | 166 | 167 ▲ |
| LSAT 75th | 168 | 168 |
| GPA Median | 3.82 ▲ | 3.75 |
| Acceptance Rate | 30.1% | 22.7% ▲ |
| Class Size | 391 | 131 |
| Yield Rate | 33.0% ▲ | 24.1% |
Financial Comparison
2025 ABA 509Tuition, scholarships, and debt burden at each school.
| Metric | Emory University | W&L |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition (In-State) | $69,510 | $57,450 ▲ |
| Tuition (Out-of-State) | $69,510 | $57,450 ▲ |
| Median Grant | $36,000 ▲ | $33,500 |
| % Receiving Grants | 98.0% ▲ | 97.0% |
| Avg. Debt at Graduation | - | - |
Employment Outcomes
2024 ABA 509Post-graduation employment placement, salaries, and bar passage.
| Metric | Emory University | W&L |
|---|---|---|
| BigLaw (501+) | 33.7% ▲ | 21.3% |
| Judicial Clerkships | 6.2% | 14.2% ▲ |
| Median Salary (Private) | $202,500 ▲ | $170,000 |
| Employment Rate | 92.0% | 95.0% ▲ |
| Bar Pass Rate | 88.4% | 89.4% ▲ |
Cross-Admit Decisions by Cycle
How cross-admit preferences have shifted over recent application cycles.
Emory University
W&L
| Cycle | Split | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-2025 |
88%
|
8 |
| 2023-2024 |
60%
|
5 |
| 2011-2012 |
83%
|
6 |
| 2009-2010 |
75%
|
12 |
| 2008-2009 |
100%
|
8 |
| 2007-2008 |
100%
|
6 |
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