Which has a higher LSAT median, Georgetown University or Northwestern University?

Northwestern University has a higher median LSAT of 173, compared to 171. This is a difference of 2 points.

Which school has better BigLaw placement, Georgetown University or Northwestern University?

Northwestern University places 64.1% of graduates into large law firms (501+ attorneys), compared to 54.6% for the other school.

Georgetown University vs Northwestern University

Q: When admitted to both Georgetown University and Northwestern University, which do students choose?

Of 83 applicants admitted to both schools, 77% chose Northwestern University. This is based on cross-admit decisions self-reported by LSD.Law users.

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

Cross-Admit Decision Data

Of 83 applicants admitted to both schools:

Chose GULC Chose NU

23%

77%

Median scholarship: $135,000 Median scholarship: $145,000

Based on 83 self-reported cross-admit decisions from the last 5 cycles

View all-time data (270 cross-admits)

28% chose GULC 72% chose NU

270 total cross-admit decisions (all cycles)

GULC is #15 · NU is #12 in the LSD rankings

See full LSD.Law school rankings →

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About this comparison

This page compares Georgetown University and Northwestern University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 83 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 83 applicants admitted to both schools, 77% chose to attend Northwestern University. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.

In the U.S. News rankings, Northwestern University is ranked #9 compared to #18 — a gap of 9 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

Georgetown University is located in Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C., while Northwestern University is in Evanston, Illinois. Regional placement matters: graduates tend to find employment near their law school, so location should factor into your decision alongside rankings and cost.

Compare Another Pair

Admissions Financial Employment Trends Related

Admissions Comparison

2025 ABA 509

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

Metric	GULC	NU
USN Rank	#18	#9 ▲
LSD Rank	#15 (0.178)	#12 (0.428) ▲
LSAT 25th	166	167 ▲
LSAT Median	171	173 ▲
LSAT 75th	173	175 ▲
GPA Median	3.93	3.96 ▲
Acceptance Rate	15.8%	12.3% ▲
Class Size	672	250
Yield Rate	28.7% ▲	25.0%

Financial Comparison

2025 ABA 509

Tuition, scholarships, and debt burden at each school.

Metric	GULC	NU
Tuition (In-State)	$83,576	$79,772 ▲
Tuition (Out-of-State)	$83,576	$79,722 ▲
Median Grant	$35,000	$40,000 ▲
% Receiving Grants	61.0%	76.0% ▲
Avg. Debt at Graduation	-	-

Employment Outcomes

2024 ABA 509

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

Metric	GULC	NU
BigLaw (501+)	54.6%	64.1% ▲
Judicial Clerkships	8.9% ▲	7.4%
Median Salary (Private)	-	-
Employment Rate	89.4%	95.6% ▲
Bar Pass Rate	93.0% ▲	91.8%

Cross-Admit Decisions by Cycle

How cross-admit preferences have shifted over recent application cycles.

GULC NU

Cycle	Split	Total
2024-2025	11% 89%	27
2023-2024	7% 93%	15
2022-2023	13% 87%	16
2021-2022	55% 45%	22
2020-2021	25% 75%	16
2019-2020	57% 43%	7
2018-2019	33% 67%	6
2017-2018	9% 91%	11
2016-2017	43% 57%	7
2015-2016	23% 77%	13
2014-2015	33% 67%	9
2013-2014	27% 73%	11
2012-2013	0% 100%	7
2011-2012	18% 82%	11
2010-2011	25% 75%	12
2009-2010	14% 86%	14
2008-2009	13% 87%	15
2007-2008	53% 47%	19
2006-2007	50% 50%	12
2005-2006	33% 67%	9
2004-2005	60% 40%	5