George Washington University vs Harvard University

This page compares George Washington University and Harvard University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 56 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 56 applicants admitted to both schools, 100% chose to attend Harvard University. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.

In the U.S. News rankings, Harvard University is ranked #6 compared to #31 — a gap of 25 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

There is a meaningful difference in admissions competitiveness: Harvard University has a median LSAT of 174 compared to 168, a gap of 6 points. This suggests applicants to Harvard University face a more competitive admissions pool.

Harvard University is significantly more selective, with an acceptance rate of 9.2% compared to George Washington University's 27.2%.

George Washington University is located in Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C., while Harvard University is in Cambridge, Massachusetts. 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: Harvard University places 51.4% of graduates into large law firm positions, compared to 30.0% for the other school. This 21 percentage point gap is significant for applicants targeting BigLaw careers.

Among cross-admitted applicants, George Washington University offered a median scholarship of $165,000 compared to $126,000, a difference of $39,000 that may factor into enrollment decisions.