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Emory University vs Washington University in St. Louis

Side-by-side comparison of admissions, costs, and outcomes

Cross-Admit Decision Data

Of 39 applicants admitted to both schools:

5%
95%
Median scholarship: $130,000 Median scholarship: $147,000

Based on 39 self-reported cross-admit decisions from the last 5 cycles

View all-time data (108 cross-admits)
19% chose Emory University 81% chose WUSTL

108 total cross-admit decisions (all cycles)

Emory University is #32 · WUSTL is #20 in the LSD rankings

See full LSD.Law school rankings →
About this comparison

This page compares Emory University and Washington University in St. Louis 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, 95% chose to attend Washington University in St. Louis. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.

In the U.S. News rankings, Washington University in St. Louis 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: Washington University in St. Louis has a median LSAT of 175 compared to 166, a gap of 9 points. This suggests applicants to Washington University in St. Louis face a more competitive admissions pool.

Washington University in St. Louis is significantly more selective, with an acceptance rate of 19.0% compared to Emory University's 30.1%.

Emory University is located in Atlanta, Georgia, while Washington University in St. Louis is in St. Louis, Missouri. Regional placement matters: graduates tend to find employment near their law school, so location should factor into your decision alongside rankings and cost.

Among cross-admitted applicants, Washington University in St. Louis offered a median scholarship of $147,000 compared to $130,000, a difference of $17,000 that may factor into enrollment decisions.

Compare Another Pair

Emory University
vs
Washington University in St. Louis

Admissions Comparison

2025 ABA 509

How these schools compare on LSAT, GPA, selectivity, and class composition.

Metric Emory University WUSTL
USN Rank #38 #14
LSD Rank #32 (0.019) #20 (0.083)
LSAT 25th 162 165
LSAT Median 166 175
LSAT 75th 168 176
GPA Median 3.82 3.96
Acceptance Rate 30.1% 19.0%
Class Size 391 261
Yield Rate 33.0% 24.2%

Financial Comparison

2025 ABA 509

Tuition, scholarships, and debt burden at each school.

Metric Emory University WUSTL
Tuition (In-State) $69,510 $72,792
Tuition (Out-of-State) $69,510 $72,792
Median Grant $36,000 $48,000
% Receiving Grants 98.0% 94.0%
Avg. Debt at Graduation - -

Employment Outcomes

2024 ABA 509

Post-graduation employment placement, salaries, and bar passage.

Metric Emory University WUSTL
BigLaw (501+) 33.7% 39.3%
Judicial Clerkships 6.2% 13.3%
Median Salary (Private) $202,500 $205,000
Employment Rate 92.0% 96.8%
Bar Pass Rate 88.4% 93.6%

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