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Side-by-side comparison of admissions, costs, and outcomes
Cross-Admit Decision Data
Of 66 applicants admitted to both schools:
Based on 66 self-reported cross-admit decisions from the last 5 cycles
View all-time data (213 cross-admits)
213 total cross-admit decisions (all cycles)
GW is #36 · UMich is #9 in the LSD rankings
See full LSD.Law school rankings →About this comparison
This page compares George Washington University and University of Michigan across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 66 applicants admitted to both.
Based on 66 applicants admitted to both schools, 99% chose to attend University of Michigan. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.
In the U.S. News rankings, University of Michigan is ranked #8 compared to #31 — a gap of 23 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.
University of Michigan is significantly more selective, with an acceptance rate of 8.6% compared to George Washington University's 27.2%.
George Washington University is located in Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C., while University of Michigan is in Ann Arbor, Michigan. 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: University of Michigan places 50.3% of graduates into large law firm positions, compared to 30.0% for the other school. This 20 percentage point gap is significant for applicants targeting BigLaw careers.
Among cross-admitted applicants, George Washington University offered a median scholarship of $120,000 compared to $90,000, a difference of $30,000 that may factor into enrollment decisions.
Compare Another Pair
Admissions Comparison
2025 ABA 509How these schools compare on LSAT, GPA, selectivity, and class composition.
| Metric | GW | UMich |
|---|---|---|
| USN Rank | #31 | #8 ▲ |
| LSD Rank | #36 (0.016) | #9 (1.211) ▲ |
| LSAT 25th | 162 | 168 ▲ |
| LSAT Median | 168 | 171 ▲ |
| LSAT 75th | 170 | 173 ▲ |
| GPA Median | 3.86 | 3.88 ▲ |
| Acceptance Rate | 27.2% | 8.6% ▲ |
| Class Size | 612 | 343 |
| Yield Rate | 22.5% | 42.7% ▲ |
Financial Comparison
2025 ABA 509Tuition, scholarships, and debt burden at each school.
| Metric | GW | UMich |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition (In-State) | $75,420 ▲ | $76,108 |
| Tuition (Out-of-State) | $75,420 ▲ | $79,108 |
| Median Grant | $28,000 | $32,000 ▲ |
| % Receiving Grants | 77.0% | 91.0% ▲ |
| Avg. Debt at Graduation | - | - |
Employment Outcomes
2024 ABA 509Post-graduation employment placement, salaries, and bar passage.
| Metric | GW | UMich |
|---|---|---|
| BigLaw (501+) | 30.0% | 50.3% ▲ |
| Judicial Clerkships | 10.5% | 17.1% ▲ |
| Median Salary (Private) | $215,000 | - |
| Employment Rate | 96.5% ▲ | 95.0% |
| Bar Pass Rate | 90.2% | 95.6% ▲ |
Cross-Admit Decisions by Cycle
How cross-admit preferences have shifted over recent application cycles.
| Cycle | Split | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-2025 |
0%
|
16 |
| 2023-2024 |
5%
|
19 |
| 2022-2023 |
0%
|
11 |
| 2021-2022 |
0%
|
19 |
| 2020-2021 |
0%
|
12 |
| 2019-2020 |
0%
|
9 |
| 2018-2019 |
0%
|
11 |
| 2017-2018 |
0%
|
7 |
| 2016-2017 |
0%
|
10 |
| 2015-2016 |
0%
|
8 |
| 2014-2015 |
11%
|
9 |
| 2013-2014 |
0%
|
8 |
| 2010-2011 |
9%
|
11 |
| 2009-2010 |
0%
|
9 |
| 2008-2009 |
14%
|
7 |
| 2007-2008 |
14%
|
7 |
| 2006-2007 |
21%
|
14 |
| 2005-2006 |
0%
|
11 |
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