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Head-to-head · 18 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 78% chose GW. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 18 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.

18
cross-admits
2
cycles
+20pt
YoY shift

Cross-admit decision

Of 18 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
George Washington University logo Chose GW
78%
Chose IU Indiana University - Bloomington logo
22%

Typical aid · ABA 509 · 2025

per year
$28,000
77.0% get a grant
$47,420 net tuition
$33,000
100.0% get a grant
$3,950 net tuition

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

$91,500
n = 12
n < 5
View all-time (42 cross-admits)
71% chose GW 29% chose IU

Trend · GW's share

2023–2025

Lowest cycle

80%

Highest cycle

100%
2 cycles
100 50 0 23 25 2023: 80% 2025: 100%
GW #32 · IU #38 LSD n≈5/yr

Admissions

Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield
2025 ABA 509
Metric
George Washington University logo
GW
Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C.
Indiana University - Bloomington logo
IU
Bloomington, Indiana
USN Rank
#26
#49
LSD Rank
#32 (0.013)
#38 (0.011)
LSAT 25th
162
158
LSAT Median
168
164
LSAT 75th
170
166
GPA Median
3.86
3.91
Acceptance Rate
27.2%
35.8%
Class Size
612
186
Yield Rate
22.5%
28.4%

Financial

Sticker price and scholarship aid
2025 ABA 509
Metric
George Washington University logo
GW
Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C.
Indiana University - Bloomington logo
IU
Bloomington, Indiana
Tuition (In-State)
$75,420
$36,950
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$75,420
$58,000
Median Grant
$28,000
$33,000
% Receiving Grants
77.0%
100.0%

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2025 ABA Employment
Metric
George Washington University logo
GW
Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C.
Indiana University - Bloomington logo
IU
Bloomington, Indiana
BigLaw (501+)
24.1%
16.5%
Federal Clerkships
2.6%
4.3%
State & Local Clerkships
7.2%
7.3%
Median Salary (Private)
-
-
Employment Rate
96.8%
91.5%
Bar Pass Rate
90.2%
87.4%

Overview

About GW vs IU

Across 18 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 78% enrolled at George Washington University and 22% at Indiana University - Bloomington. 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 George Washington University and Indiana University - Bloomington across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes using official ABA 509 disclosures.

In the U.S. News rankings, George Washington University is ranked #26 compared to #49 — a gap of 23 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

There is a meaningful difference in admissions competitiveness: George Washington University has a median LSAT of 168 compared to 164, a gap of 4 points. This suggests applicants to George Washington University face a more competitive admissions pool.

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

On cost, Indiana University - Bloomington has lower tuition at $36,950 per year compared to $75,420. Combined with employment rates of 96.8% (GW) and 91.5% (IU), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.