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.
Cross-admit decision
Chose WFU
Typical aid · ABA 509 · 2025
per yearCross-admits who enrolled · self-reported, 3-yr award
View all-time (33 cross-admits)
Admissions
Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield 2025 ABA 509
Financial
Sticker price and scholarship aid 2025 ABA 509
Employment & outcomes
Post-graduation placement and bar passage 2025 ABA Employment
Related comparisons
Other popular cross-admit matchups
Overview
About WFU vs FSU
Across 13 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 69% enrolled at Wake Forest University and 31% at Florida State 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.
Compare another pair
Detailed comparison narrative
This page compares Wake Forest University and Florida State 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%.
Wake Forest University is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, while Florida State University is in Tallahassee, Florida. 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 98.7% (WFU) and 92.4% (FSU), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.
Your study break just got better: follow @lawschooldata on Follow @lawschooldata on TikTok & Instagram