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Head-to-head · 35 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 63% chose GW. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 35 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.

35
cross-admits
5
cycles
-11pt
YoY shift

Cross-admit decision

Of 35 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
George Washington University logo Chose GW
63%
Chose NUSL Northeastern University logo
37%

Median scholarship (chose GW)

$100,500 / yr

Median scholarship (chose NUSL)

$145,800 / yr
View all-time (65 cross-admits)
66% chose GW 34% chose NUSL

Trend · GW's share

2020–2025

Lowest cycle

40%

Highest cycle

73%
5 cycles
100 50 0 20 21 23 24 25 2020: 67% 2021: 50% 2023: 73% 2024: 40% 2025: 56%
GW #32 · NUSL #63 LSD n≈8/yr

Admissions

Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield
2026 ABA 509
Metric
George Washington University logo
GW
Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C.
Northeastern University logo
NUSL
Boston, Massachusetts
USN Rank
#26
#77
LSD Rank
#32 (0.013)
Top 75 (0.005)
LSAT 25th
-
-
LSAT Median
-
-
LSAT 75th
-
-
GPA Median
-
-
Acceptance Rate
-
-
Class Size
-
-
Yield Rate
-
-

Financial

Sticker price, scholarships, and debt burden
2026 ABA 509
Metric
George Washington University logo
GW
Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C.
Northeastern University logo
NUSL
Boston, Massachusetts
Tuition (In-State)
-
-
Tuition (Out-of-State)
-
-
Median Grant
-
-
% Receiving Grants
-
-
Avg. Debt at Graduation
-
-

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2025 ABA Employment
Metric
George Washington University logo
GW
Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C.
Northeastern University logo
NUSL
Boston, Massachusetts
BigLaw (501+)
24.1%
16.4%
Judicial Clerkships
9.8%
8.0%
Median Salary (Private)
-
-
Employment Rate
96.8%
87.8%
Bar Pass Rate
87.7%
90.5%

Overview

About GW vs NUSL

Across 35 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 63% enrolled at George Washington University and 37% at Northeastern University. 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 George Washington University and Northeastern University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 35 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 35 applicants admitted to both schools, 63% chose to attend George Washington University. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.

In the U.S. News rankings, George Washington University is ranked #26 compared to #77 — a gap of 51 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

George Washington University is located in Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C., while Northeastern University is in Boston, Massachusetts. 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, Northeastern University offered a median scholarship of $145,800 compared to $100,500, a difference of $45,300 that may factor into enrollment decisions.