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Head-to-head · 22 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 100% chose UC. 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
+0pt
YoY shift

Cross-admit decision

Of 22 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
George Washington University logo Chose GW
0%
Chose UC University of Chicago logo
100%

Median scholarship (chose GW)

$165,000 / yr

Median scholarship (chose UC)

$45,000 / yr
View all-time (67 cross-admits)
2% chose GW 98% chose UC

Trend · GW's share

2004–2025

Lowest cycle

0%

Highest cycle

14%
5 cycles
100 50 0 04 06 22 23 25 2004: 0% 2006: 14% 2022: 0% 2023: 0% 2025: 0%
GW #32 · UC #4 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.
University of Chicago logo
UC
Chicago, Illinois
USN Rank
#26
#2
LSD Rank
#32 (0.013)
#4 (2.643)
LSAT 25th
162
171
LSAT Median
168
174
LSAT 75th
170
176
GPA Median
3.86
3.97
Acceptance Rate
27.2%
9.7%
Class Size
612
203
Yield Rate
22.5%
29.8%

Financial

Sticker price and scholarship aid
2025 ABA 509
Metric
George Washington University logo
GW
Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C.
University of Chicago logo
UC
Chicago, Illinois
Tuition (In-State)
$75,420
$83,316
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$75,420
$83,316
Median Grant
$28,000
$15,000
% Receiving Grants
77.0%
78.0%

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 Chicago logo
UC
Chicago, Illinois
BigLaw (501+)
24.1%
59.7%
Federal Clerkships
2.6%
22.7%
State & Local Clerkships
7.2%
0.9%
Median Salary (Private)
-
-
Employment Rate
96.8%
98.1%
Bar Pass Rate
90.2%
97.4%

Overview

About GW vs UC

Across 22 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 0% enrolled at George Washington University and 100% at University of Chicago.

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 George Washington University and University of Chicago 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, 100% chose to attend University of Chicago. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.

In the U.S. News rankings, University of Chicago is ranked #2 compared to #26 — a gap of 24 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

There is a meaningful difference in admissions competitiveness: University of Chicago has a median LSAT of 174 compared to 168, a gap of 6 points. This suggests applicants to University of Chicago face a more competitive admissions pool.

University of Chicago is significantly more selective, with an acceptance rate of 9.7% compared to George Washington University's 27.2%.

George Washington University is located in Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C., while University of Chicago is in Chicago, Illinois. 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: University of Chicago places 59.7% of graduates into large law firm positions, compared to 24.1% for the other school. This 36 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 $83,316. Combined with employment rates of 96.8% (GW) and 98.1% (UC), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants, George Washington University offered a median scholarship of $165,000 compared to $45,000, a difference of $120,000 that may factor into enrollment decisions.