Connection lost
Server error
Side-by-side comparison of admissions, costs, and outcomes
Cross-Admit Decision Data
Of 27 applicants admitted to both schools:
Based on 27 self-reported cross-admit decisions from the last 5 cycles
View all-time data (40 cross-admits)
40 total cross-admit decisions (all cycles)
GW is #36 · 'Nova is #36 in the LSD rankings
See full LSD.Law school rankings →About this comparison
This page compares George Washington University and Villanova University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 27 applicants admitted to both.
Based on 27 applicants admitted to both schools, 63% chose to attend George Washington 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 #31 compared to #48 — a gap of 17 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.
There is a meaningful difference in admissions competitiveness: George Washington University has a median LSAT of 168 compared to 164, a gap of 4 points. This suggests applicants to George Washington University face a more competitive admissions pool.
George Washington University is located in Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C., while Villanova University is in Villanova, Pennsylvania. 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, Villanova University has lower tuition at $59,800 per year compared to $75,420. Combined with employment rates of 96.5% (GW) and 92.5% ('Nova), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.
Among cross-admitted applicants, Villanova University offered a median scholarship of $142,000 compared to $120,000, a difference of $22,000 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 | 'Nova |
|---|---|---|
| USN Rank | #31 ▲ | #48 |
| LSD Rank | #36 (0.016) | #36 (0.016) |
| LSAT 25th | 162 ▲ | 159 |
| LSAT Median | 168 ▲ | 164 |
| LSAT 75th | 170 ▲ | 166 |
| GPA Median | 3.86 ▲ | 3.80 |
| Acceptance Rate | 27.2% | 25.9% ▲ |
| Class Size | 612 | 232 |
| Yield Rate | 22.5% | 30.8% ▲ |
Financial Comparison
2025 ABA 509Tuition, scholarships, and debt burden at each school.
| Metric | GW | 'Nova |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition (In-State) | $75,420 | $59,800 ▲ |
| Tuition (Out-of-State) | $75,420 | $59,800 ▲ |
| Median Grant | $28,000 | $40,000 ▲ |
| % Receiving Grants | 77.0% | 87.0% ▲ |
| Avg. Debt at Graduation | - | - |
Employment Outcomes
2024 ABA 509Post-graduation employment placement, salaries, and bar passage.
| Metric | GW | 'Nova |
|---|---|---|
| BigLaw (501+) | 30.0% ▲ | 20.1% |
| Judicial Clerkships | 10.5% | 12.6% ▲ |
| Median Salary (Private) | $215,000 ▲ | $110,000 |
| Employment Rate | 96.5% ▲ | 92.5% |
| Bar Pass Rate | 90.2% | 91.3% ▲ |
Cross-Admit Decisions by Cycle
How cross-admit preferences have shifted over recent application cycles.
| Cycle | Split | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-2025 |
71%
|
7 |
| 2023-2024 |
40%
|
5 |
| 2021-2022 |
67%
|
6 |
| 2020-2021 |
60%
|
5 |
Track Your Applications
Join 150,000+ applicants using LSD.Law to track applications, compare schools, and make data-driven decisions.