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Head-to-head · 22 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 50% chose GW. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 22 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.

22
cross-admits
5
cycles
-44pt
YoY shift

Cross-admit decision

Of 22 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
George Washington University logo Chose GW
50%
Chose Temple University Temple University logo
50%

Median scholarship (chose GW)

$105,000 / yr

Median scholarship (chose Temple University)

$112,500 / yr
View all-time (62 cross-admits)
63% chose GW 37% chose Temple University

Trend · GW's share

2007–2024

Lowest cycle

27%

Highest cycle

83%
5 cycles
100 50 0 07 09 19 23 24 2007: 71% 2009: 83% 2019: 40% 2023: 80% 2024: 27%
GW #32 · Temple University #44 LSD n≈6/yr

Admissions

Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield
2025 ABA 509
Metric
George Washington University logo
GW
Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C.
Temple University logo
Temple University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
USN Rank
#26
#49
LSD Rank
#32 (0.013)
#44 (0.010)
LSAT 25th
162
162
LSAT Median
168
165
LSAT 75th
170
168
GPA Median
3.86
3.76
Acceptance Rate
27.2%
24.4%
Class Size
612
237
Yield Rate
22.5%
31.3%

Financial

Sticker price, scholarships, and debt burden
2025 ABA 509
Metric
George Washington University logo
GW
Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C.
Temple University logo
Temple University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Tuition (In-State)
$75,420
$32,588
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$75,420
$48,996
Median Grant
$28,000
$31,334
% Receiving Grants
77.0%
85.0%
Avg. Debt at Graduation
-
-

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2024 ABA Employment
Metric
George Washington University logo
GW
Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C.
Temple University logo
Temple University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
BigLaw (501+)
30.0%
18.2%
Judicial Clerkships
10.5%
15.6%
Median Salary (Private)
$215,000
$150,000
Employment Rate
96.5%
93.8%
Bar Pass Rate
90.2%
90.3%

Overview

About GW vs Temple University

Across 22 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 50% enrolled at George Washington University and 50% at Temple University. The split has shifted -44 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 Temple University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 22 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 22 applicants admitted to both schools, 50% chose to attend Temple University. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.

In the U.S. News rankings, George Washington University is ranked #26 compared to #49 — a gap of 23 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

George Washington University is located in Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C., while Temple University is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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: George Washington University places 30.0% of graduates into large law firm positions, compared to 18.2% for the other school. This 12 percentage point gap is significant for applicants targeting BigLaw careers.

On cost, Temple University has lower tuition at $32,588 per year compared to $75,420. Combined with employment rates of 96.5% (GW) and 93.8% (Temple University), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.