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Side-by-side comparison of admissions, costs, and outcomes
View all-time data (192 cross-admits)
192 total cross-admit decisions (all cycles)
GW is #36 · NYU is #8 in the LSD rankings
See full LSD.Law school rankings →About this comparison
This page compares George Washington University and New York University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 59 applicants admitted to both.
Based on 59 applicants admitted to both schools, 100% chose to attend New York University. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.
In the U.S. News rankings, New York University is ranked #8 compared to #31 — a gap of 23 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.
There is a meaningful difference in admissions competitiveness: New York University has a median LSAT of 172 compared to 168, a gap of 4 points. This suggests applicants to New York University face a more competitive admissions pool.
New York University is significantly more selective, with an acceptance rate of 13.4% compared to George Washington University's 27.2%.
George Washington University is located in Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C., while New York University is in New York City, New York. 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: New York University places 54.1% of graduates into large law firm positions, compared to 30.0% for the other school. This 24 percentage point gap is significant for applicants targeting BigLaw careers.
On cost, George Washington University has lower tuition at $75,420 per year compared to $83,952. Combined with employment rates of 96.5% (GW) and 92.9% (NYU), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.
Among cross-admitted applicants, George Washington University offered a median scholarship of $127,500 compared to $67,500, a difference of $60,000 that may factor into enrollment decisions.
Compare Another Pair
Admissions Comparison
2025 ABA 509How these schools compare on LSAT, GPA, selectivity, and class composition.
| Metric | GW | NYU |
|---|---|---|
| USN Rank | #31 | #8 ▲ |
| LSD Rank | #36 (0.016) | #8 (1.509) ▲ |
| LSAT 25th | 162 | 169 ▲ |
| LSAT Median | 168 | 172 ▲ |
| LSAT 75th | 170 | 174 ▲ |
| GPA Median | 3.86 | 3.92 ▲ |
| Acceptance Rate | 27.2% | 13.4% ▲ |
| Class Size | 612 | 452 |
| Yield Rate | 22.5% | 30.4% ▲ |
Financial Comparison
2025 ABA 509Tuition, scholarships, and debt burden at each school.
| Metric | GW | NYU |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition (In-State) | $75,420 ▲ | $83,952 |
| Tuition (Out-of-State) | $75,420 ▲ | $83,952 |
| Median Grant | $28,000 ▲ | $20,000 |
| % Receiving Grants | 77.0% ▲ | 66.0% |
| Avg. Debt at Graduation | - | - |
Employment Outcomes
2024 ABA 509Post-graduation employment placement, salaries, and bar passage.
| Metric | GW | NYU |
|---|---|---|
| BigLaw (501+) | 30.0% | 54.1% ▲ |
| Judicial Clerkships | 10.5% ▲ | 7.1% |
| Median Salary (Private) | $215,000 | - |
| Employment Rate | 96.5% ▲ | 92.9% |
| Bar Pass Rate | 90.2% | 96.7% ▲ |
Cross-Admit Decisions by Cycle
How cross-admit preferences have shifted over recent application cycles.
| Cycle | Split | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-2025 |
0%
|
15 |
| 2023-2024 |
0%
|
15 |
| 2022-2023 |
0%
|
12 |
| 2021-2022 |
0%
|
7 |
| 2020-2021 |
0%
|
10 |
| 2019-2020 |
0%
|
8 |
| 2017-2018 |
0%
|
5 |
| 2016-2017 |
0%
|
5 |
| 2015-2016 |
0%
|
9 |
| 2014-2015 |
0%
|
5 |
| 2013-2014 |
0%
|
11 |
| 2012-2013 |
0%
|
7 |
| 2011-2012 |
0%
|
8 |
| 2010-2011 |
9%
|
11 |
| 2009-2010 |
0%
|
13 |
| 2008-2009 |
0%
|
6 |
| 2007-2008 |
9%
|
11 |
| 2006-2007 |
7%
|
14 |
| 2005-2006 |
0%
|
7 |
| 2004-2005 |
0%
|
6 |
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