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Head-to-head · 33 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 79% chose GULC. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 33 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.

33
cross-admits
11
cycles
-11pt
YoY shift

Cross-admit decision

Of 33 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
Georgetown University logo Chose GULC
79%
Chose USC University of Southern California logo
21%

Typical aid · ABA 509 · 2025

per year
$35,000
61.0% get a grant
$48,576 net tuition
$40,092
95.0% get a grant
$43,942 net tuition

Cross-admits who enrolled · self-reported, 3-yr award

$142,500
n = 17
$150,000
n = 7
View all-time (106 cross-admits)
84% chose GULC 16% chose USC

Trend · GULC's share

2005–2025

Lowest cycle

57%

Highest cycle

100%
11 cycles
100 50 0 05 07 09 13 14 18 20 21 23 24 25 2005: 100% 2007: 100% 2009: 80% 2013: 100% 2014: 100% 2018: 83% 2020: 80% 2021: 83% 2023: 75% 2024: 57% 2025: 89%
GULC #15 · USC #19 LSD n≈6/yr

Admissions

Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield
2025 ABA 509
Metric
Georgetown University logo
GULC
Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C.
University of Southern California logo
USC
Los Angeles, California
USN Rank
#18
#26
LSD Rank
#15 (0.179)
#19 (0.071)
LSAT 25th
166
165
LSAT Median
171
169
LSAT 75th
173
170
GPA Median
3.93
3.91
Acceptance Rate
15.8%
11.2%
Class Size
672
228
Yield Rate
28.7%
28.2%

Financial

Sticker price and scholarship aid
2025 ABA 509
Metric
Georgetown University logo
GULC
Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C.
University of Southern California logo
USC
Los Angeles, California
Tuition (In-State)
$83,576
$84,034
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$83,576
$84,034
Median Grant
$35,000
$40,092
% Receiving Grants
61.0%
95.0%

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2025 ABA Employment
Metric
Georgetown University logo
GULC
Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C.
University of Southern California logo
USC
Los Angeles, California
BigLaw (501+)
54.9%
58.6%
Federal Clerkships
5.0%
3.5%
State & Local Clerkships
4.3%
0.0%
Median Salary (Private)
-
-
Employment Rate
96.2%
96.9%
Bar Pass Rate
93.0%
94.0%

Overview

About GULC vs USC

Across 33 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 79% enrolled at Georgetown University and 21% at University of Southern California. The split has shifted -11 points across the tracked cycles.

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.

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Detailed comparison narrative

This page compares Georgetown University and University of Southern California across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 33 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 33 applicants admitted to both schools, 79% chose to attend Georgetown University. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.

In the U.S. News rankings, Georgetown University is ranked #18 compared to #26 — a gap of 8 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 University of Southern California is in Los Angeles, California. Regional placement matters: graduates tend to find employment near their law school, so location should factor into your decision alongside rankings and cost.