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Head-to-head · 13 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 69% chose WFU. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 13 self-reported decisions and ABA 509 filings.

Choice, not ranking

These are decisions, not opinions. Scholarship offers, location, intended practice, and personal fit are all priced into the split.

13
cross-admits

Cross-admit decision

Of 13 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
Florida State University logo Chose FSU
31%
Chose WFU Wake Forest University logo
69%

Median scholarship (chose FSU)

$80,554 / yr

Median scholarship (chose WFU)

$135,000 / yr
View all-time (33 cross-admits)
39% chose FSU 61% chose WFU
Rank summary
FSU
#38
LSD
USN #34
WFU
#31
LSD
USN #30
LSD rank reflects where admitted applicants actually enroll. USN ranks come from US News.

Admissions

Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield
2025 ABA 509
Metric
Florida State University logo
FSU
Tallahassee, Florida
Wake Forest University logo
WFU
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
USN Rank
#34
#30
LSD Rank
#38 (0.010)
#31 (0.019)
LSAT 25th
158
163
LSAT Median
166
166
LSAT 75th
167
168
GPA Median
3.93
3.79
Acceptance Rate
16.0%
24.6%
Class Size
153
204
Yield Rate
35.3%
28.3%

Financial

Sticker price and scholarship aid
2025 ABA 509
Metric
Florida State University logo
FSU
Tallahassee, Florida
Wake Forest University logo
WFU
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Tuition (In-State)
-
$57,920
Tuition (Out-of-State)
-
$57,920
Median Grant
$15,464
$40,000
% Receiving Grants
78.0%
76.0%

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2025 ABA Employment
Metric
Florida State University logo
FSU
Tallahassee, Florida
Wake Forest University logo
WFU
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
BigLaw (501+)
9.1%
26.6%
Judicial Clerkships
6.8%
9.5%
Median Salary (Private)
-
-
Employment Rate
92.4%
98.7%
Bar Pass Rate
87.2%
88.2%

Overview

About FSU vs WFU

Across 13 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 31% enrolled at Florida State University and 69% at Wake Forest University.

These numbers reflect every factor that goes into a real decision: scholarship offers, geographic preference, intended practice area, and fit. Choosing one school doesn't mean it's "better" — it means the pool of cross-admits, weighing their options, ended up there more often. Pair this with the scholarship distribution and employment outcomes above for full context.

Looking at a different matchup? Browse all comparisons or run a custom pair from the index.

Deciding between FSU and WFU? Work with a consultant who knows both — backed by this exact data.
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Detailed comparison narrative

This page compares Florida State University and Wake Forest University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes using official ABA 509 disclosures.

Both schools are closely ranked in U.S. News: #30 and #34, separated by just 4 positions, making cross-admit data especially useful for deciding between them.

Florida State University is significantly more selective, with an acceptance rate of 16.0% compared to Wake Forest University's 24.6%.

Florida State University is located in Tallahassee, Florida, while Wake Forest University is in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. 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: Wake Forest University places 26.6% of graduates into large law firm positions, compared to 9.1% for the other school. This 18 percentage point gap is significant for applicants targeting BigLaw careers.

On cost, Florida State University has lower tuition at - per year compared to $57,920. Combined with employment rates of 92.4% (FSU) and 98.7% (WFU), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants, Wake Forest University offered a median scholarship of $135,000 compared to $80,554, a difference of $54,446 that may factor into enrollment decisions.