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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 (79 cross-admits)
79 total cross-admit decisions (all cycles)
Emory University is #32 · W&M is #32 in the LSD rankings
See full LSD.Law school rankings →About this comparison
This page compares Emory University and William & Mary Law School across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes using official ABA 509 disclosures.
In the U.S. News rankings, William & Mary Law School is ranked #31 compared to #38 — a gap of 7 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.
Emory University is located in Atlanta, Georgia, while William & Mary Law School is in Williamsburg, 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 18.2% for the other school. This 16 percentage point gap is significant for applicants targeting BigLaw careers.
On cost, William & Mary Law School has lower tuition at $38,734 per year compared to $69,510. Combined with employment rates of 92.0% (Emory University) and 91.8% (W&M), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.
Among cross-admitted applicants, Emory University offered a median scholarship of $120,000 compared to $106,901, a difference of $13,099 that may factor into enrollment decisions.
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Admissions Comparison
2025 ABA 509How these schools compare on LSAT, GPA, selectivity, and class composition.
| Metric | Emory University | W&M |
|---|---|---|
| USN Rank | #38 | #31 ▲ |
| LSD Rank | #32 (0.019) | #32 (0.019) |
| LSAT 25th | 162 ▲ | 161 |
| LSAT Median | 166 | 166 |
| LSAT 75th | 168 ▲ | 167 |
| GPA Median | 3.82 | 3.82 |
| Acceptance Rate | 30.1% | 22.0% ▲ |
| Class Size | 391 | 184 |
| Yield Rate | 33.0% | 37.9% ▲ |
Financial Comparison
2025 ABA 509Tuition, scholarships, and debt burden at each school.
| Metric | Emory University | W&M |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition (In-State) | $69,510 | $38,734 ▲ |
| Tuition (Out-of-State) | $69,510 | $62,900 ▲ |
| Median Grant | $36,000 ▲ | $29,302 |
| % Receiving Grants | 98.0% ▲ | 66.0% |
| Avg. Debt at Graduation | - | - |
Employment Outcomes
2024 ABA 509Post-graduation employment placement, salaries, and bar passage.
| Metric | Emory University | W&M |
|---|---|---|
| BigLaw (501+) | 33.7% ▲ | 18.2% |
| Judicial Clerkships | 6.2% | 14.1% ▲ |
| Median Salary (Private) | $202,500 ▲ | $185,000 |
| Employment Rate | 92.0% ▲ | 91.8% |
| Bar Pass Rate | 88.4% ▲ | 83.6% |
Cross-Admit Decisions by Cycle
How cross-admit preferences have shifted over recent application cycles.
| Cycle | Split | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-2025 |
50%
|
6 |
| 2022-2023 |
80%
|
5 |
| 2019-2020 |
60%
|
5 |
| 2017-2018 |
80%
|
5 |
| 2013-2014 |
40%
|
5 |
| 2009-2010 |
27%
|
11 |
| 2008-2009 |
60%
|
5 |
| 2005-2006 |
20%
|
5 |
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