George Washington University vs Northwestern University

This page compares George Washington University and Northwestern University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 34 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 34 applicants admitted to both schools, 100% chose to attend Northwestern University. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.

In the U.S. News rankings, Northwestern University is ranked #10 compared to #31 — a gap of 21 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

There is a meaningful difference in admissions competitiveness: Northwestern University has a median LSAT of 173 compared to 168, a gap of 5 points. This suggests applicants to Northwestern University face a more competitive admissions pool.

Northwestern University is significantly more selective, with an acceptance rate of 12.3% compared to George Washington University's 27.2%.

George Washington University is located in Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C., while Northwestern University is in Evanston, Illinois. 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: Northwestern University places 64.1% of graduates into large law firm positions, compared to 30.0% for the other school. This 34 percentage point gap is significant for applicants targeting BigLaw careers.