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Head-to-head · 49 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 92% chose ND. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 49 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.

49
cross-admits
10
cycles
+29pt
YoY shift

Cross-admit decision

Of 49 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
University of Notre Dame logo Chose ND
92%
Chose GW George Washington University logo
8%

Typical aid · ABA 509 · 2025

per year
$30,000
92.0% get a grant
$43,430 net tuition
$28,000
77.0% get a grant
$47,420 net tuition

Cross-admits who enrolled · self-reported, 3-yr award

$105,000
n = 43
—
n < 5
View all-time (112 cross-admits)
81% chose ND 19% chose GW

Trend · ND's share

2005–2025

Lowest cycle

60%

Highest cycle

100%
10 cycles
100 50 0 05 09 16 17 20 21 22 23 24 25 2005: 71% 2009: 60% 2016: 91% 2017: 83% 2020: 100% 2021: 90% 2022: 88% 2023: 100% 2024: 83% 2025: 100%
ND #17 · GW #34 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 (0.112)
#34 (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 and scholarship aid
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%

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2025 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+)
30.5%
24.1%
Federal Clerkships
17.1%
2.6%
State & Local Clerkships
6.7%
7.2%
Median Salary (Private)
-
-
Employment Rate
95.1%
96.8%
Bar Pass Rate
92.2%
90.2%

Overview

About ND vs GW

Across 49 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 92% enrolled at University of Notre Dame and 8% at George Washington University. The split has shifted +29 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 University of Notre Dame and George Washington University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 49 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 49 applicants admitted to both schools, 92% 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.