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Head-to-head · 45 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 91% chose ND. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 45 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.

45
cross-admits
9
cycles
+12pt
YoY shift

Cross-admit decision

Of 45 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
University of Notre Dame logo Chose ND
91%
Chose GW George Washington University logo
9%

Median scholarship (chose ND)

$120,000 / yr

Median scholarship (chose GW)

$120,000 / yr
View all-time (108 cross-admits)
81% chose ND 19% chose GW

Trend · ND's share

2005–2024

Lowest cycle

60%

Highest cycle

100%
9 cycles
100 50 0 05 09 16 17 20 21 22 23 24 2005: 71% 2009: 60% 2016: 91% 2017: 83% 2020: 100% 2021: 90% 2022: 89% 2023: 100% 2024: 83%
ND #17 · GW #32 LSD n≈9/yr

Admissions

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

Financial

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

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2024 ABA Employment
Metric
University of Notre Dame logo
ND
South Bend, Indiana
George Washington University logo
GW
Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C.
BigLaw (501+)
39.6%
30.0%
Judicial Clerkships
21.9%
10.5%
Median Salary (Private)
$215,000
$215,000
Employment Rate
95.2%
96.5%
Bar Pass Rate
92.2%
90.2%

Overview

About ND vs GW

Across 45 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 91% enrolled at University of Notre Dame and 9% at George Washington University. 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 University of Notre Dame and George Washington University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 45 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 45 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%.

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