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Head-to-head · 48 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 85% chose UNC. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 48 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.

48
cross-admits
5
cycles
-19pt
YoY shift

Cross-admit decision

Of 48 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
George Washington University logo Chose GW
15%
Chose UNC University of North Carolina logo
85%

Median scholarship (chose GW)

$112,500 / yr

Median scholarship (chose UNC)

$52,500 / yr
View all-time (62 cross-admits)
21% chose GW 79% chose UNC

Trend · GW's share

2021–2025

Lowest cycle

0%

Highest cycle

57%
5 cycles
100 50 0 21 22 23 24 25 2021: 29% 2022: 57% 2023: 0% 2024: 0% 2025: 10%
GW #32 · UNC #19 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 North Carolina logo
UNC
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
USN Rank
#26
#18
LSD Rank
#32 (0.013)
#19 (0.081)
LSAT 25th
162
165
LSAT Median
168
168
LSAT 75th
170
169
GPA Median
3.86
3.89
Acceptance Rate
27.2%
11.2%
Class Size
612
181
Yield Rate
22.5%
45.5%

Financial

Sticker price and scholarship aid
2025 ABA 509
Metric
George Washington University logo
GW
Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C.
University of North Carolina logo
UNC
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Tuition (In-State)
$75,420
$28,082
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$75,420
$51,320
Median Grant
$28,000
$17,000
% Receiving Grants
77.0%
95.0%

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 North Carolina logo
UNC
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
BigLaw (501+)
24.1%
24.6%
Judicial Clerkships
9.8%
13.1%
Median Salary (Private)
-
-
Employment Rate
96.8%
97.3%
Bar Pass Rate
90.2%
92.3%

Overview

About GW vs UNC

Across 48 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 15% enrolled at George Washington University and 85% at University of North Carolina. The split has shifted -19 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 North Carolina across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 48 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 48 applicants admitted to both schools, 85% chose to attend University of North Carolina. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.

In the U.S. News rankings, University of North Carolina is ranked #18 compared to #26 — a gap of 8 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

University of North Carolina is significantly more selective, with an acceptance rate of 11.2% compared to George Washington University's 27.2%.

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

On cost, University of North Carolina has lower tuition at $28,082 per year compared to $75,420. Combined with employment rates of 96.8% (GW) and 97.3% (UNC), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants, George Washington University offered a median scholarship of $112,500 compared to $52,500, a difference of $60,000 that may factor into enrollment decisions.