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Head-to-head · 29 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 76% chose GULC. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 29 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.

29
cross-admits
11
cycles
-20pt
YoY shift

Cross-admit decision

Of 29 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
Georgetown University logo Chose GULC
76%
Chose USC University of Southern California logo
24%

Median scholarship (chose GULC)

$120,000 / yr

Median scholarship (chose USC)

$150,000 / yr
View all-time (102 cross-admits)
83% chose GULC 17% 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: 80%
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, scholarships, and debt burden
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%
Avg. Debt at Graduation
-
-

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2024 ABA Employment
Metric
Georgetown University logo
GULC
Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C.
University of Southern California logo
USC
Los Angeles, California
BigLaw (501+)
54.6%
56.6%
Judicial Clerkships
8.9%
2.7%
Median Salary (Private)
-
$215,000
Employment Rate
89.4%
95.5%
Bar Pass Rate
93.0%
94.0%

Overview

About GULC vs USC

Across 29 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 76% enrolled at Georgetown University and 24% at University of Southern California. The split has shifted -20 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 29 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 29 applicants admitted to both schools, 76% 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.

Among cross-admitted applicants, University of Southern California offered a median scholarship of $150,000 compared to $120,000, a difference of $30,000 that may factor into enrollment decisions.