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Head-to-head · 46 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 61% chose UMN. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 46 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.

46
cross-admits
8
cycles
-10pt
YoY shift

Cross-admit decision

Of 46 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
University of Minnesota logo Chose UMN
61%
Chose GW George Washington University logo
39%

Typical aid · ABA 509 · 2025

per year
$35,000
94.0% get a grant
$16,440 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 = 27
$124,500
n = 16
View all-time (96 cross-admits)
53% chose UMN 47% chose GW

Trend · UMN's share

2004–2025

Lowest cycle

20%

Highest cycle

88%
8 cycles
100 50 0 04 07 20 21 22 23 24 25 2004: 60% 2007: 20% 2020: 88% 2021: 67% 2022: 70% 2023: 67% 2024: 50% 2025: 50%
UMN #23 · GW #34 LSD n≈8/yr

Admissions

Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield
2025 ABA 509
Metric
University of Minnesota logo
UMN
Minneapolis, Minnesota
George Washington University logo
GW
Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C.
USN Rank
#22
#26
LSD Rank
#23 (0.029)
#34 (0.013)
LSAT 25th
166
162
LSAT Median
171
168
LSAT 75th
173
170
GPA Median
3.88
3.86
Acceptance Rate
26.7%
27.2%
Class Size
228
612
Yield Rate
24.8%
22.5%

Financial

Sticker price and scholarship aid
2025 ABA 509
Metric
University of Minnesota logo
UMN
Minneapolis, Minnesota
George Washington University logo
GW
Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C.
Tuition (In-State)
$51,440
$75,420
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$61,845
$75,420
Median Grant
$35,000
$28,000
% Receiving Grants
94.0%
77.0%

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2025 ABA Employment
Metric
University of Minnesota logo
UMN
Minneapolis, Minnesota
George Washington University logo
GW
Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C.
BigLaw (501+)
17.6%
24.1%
Federal Clerkships
3.2%
2.6%
State & Local Clerkships
23.0%
7.2%
Median Salary (Private)
-
-
Employment Rate
95.5%
96.8%
Bar Pass Rate
94.1%
90.2%

Overview

About UMN vs GW

Across 46 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 61% enrolled at University of Minnesota and 39% at George Washington University. The split has shifted -10 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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Compare another pair

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Detailed comparison narrative

This page compares University of Minnesota and George Washington University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 46 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 46 applicants admitted to both schools, 61% chose to attend University of Minnesota. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.

Both schools are closely ranked in U.S. News: #22 and #26, separated by just 4 positions, making cross-admit data especially useful for deciding between them.

University of Minnesota is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, 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.

On cost, University of Minnesota has lower tuition at $51,440 per year compared to $75,420. Combined with employment rates of 95.5% (UMN) and 96.8% (GW), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants who enrolled, those choosing George Washington University reported a higher median scholarship — $124,500 versus $105,000 over three years — though aid is one of several factors behind the enrollment decision.