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Head-to-head · 44 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 91% chose ND. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 44 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.

44
cross-admits
9
cycles
-12pt
YoY shift

Cross-admit decision

Of 44 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
George Washington University logo Chose GW
9%
Chose ND University of Notre Dame logo
91%

Median scholarship (chose GW)

$120,000 / yr

Median scholarship (chose ND)

$120,000 / yr
View all-time (107 cross-admits)
20% chose GW 80% chose ND

Trend · GW's share

2005–2024

Lowest cycle

0%

Highest cycle

40%
9 cycles
100 50 0 05 09 16 17 20 21 22 23 24 2005: 29% 2009: 40% 2016: 9% 2017: 17% 2020: 0% 2021: 10% 2022: 11% 2023: 0% 2024: 17%
GW #32 · ND #17 LSD n≈9/yr

Admissions

Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield
2025 ABA 509
Metric
George Washington University logo
GW
Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C.
University of Notre Dame logo
ND
South Bend, Indiana
USN Rank
#26
#20
LSD Rank
#32 (0.013)
#17 (0.099)
LSAT 25th
162
166
LSAT Median
168
170
LSAT 75th
170
171
GPA Median
3.86
3.89
Acceptance Rate
27.2%
16.1%
Class Size
612
185
Yield Rate
22.5%
31.6%

Financial

Sticker price and scholarship aid
2025 ABA 509
Metric
George Washington University logo
GW
Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C.
University of Notre Dame logo
ND
South Bend, Indiana
Tuition (In-State)
$75,420
$73,430
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$75,420
$73,430
Median Grant
$28,000
$30,000
% Receiving Grants
77.0%
92.0%

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2025 ABA Employment
Metric
George Washington University logo
GW
Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C.
University of Notre Dame logo
ND
South Bend, Indiana
BigLaw (501+)
24.1%
30.5%
Federal Clerkships
2.6%
17.1%
State & Local Clerkships
7.2%
6.7%
Median Salary (Private)
-
-
Employment Rate
96.8%
95.1%
Bar Pass Rate
90.2%
92.2%

Overview

About GW vs ND

Across 44 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 9% enrolled at George Washington University and 91% at University of Notre Dame. The split has shifted -12 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.

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Detailed comparison narrative

This page compares George Washington University and University of Notre Dame across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 44 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 44 applicants admitted to both schools, 91% chose to attend University of Notre Dame. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.

In the U.S. News rankings, University of Notre Dame is ranked #20 compared to #26 — a gap of 6 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

University of Notre Dame is significantly more selective, with an acceptance rate of 16.1% compared to George Washington University's 27.2%.

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