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Head-to-head · 20 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 55% chose WFU. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 20 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.

20
cross-admits
2
cycles
-43pt
YoY shift

Cross-admit decision

Of 20 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
Wake Forest University logo Chose WFU
55%
Chose GW George Washington University logo
45%

Typical aid · ABA 509 · 2025

per year
$40,000
76.0% get a grant
$17,920 net tuition
$28,000
77.0% get a grant
$47,420 net tuition

Cross-admits who enrolled · self-reported, 3-yr award

$144,000
n = 10
$100,500
n = 8
View all-time (48 cross-admits)
40% chose WFU 60% chose GW

Trend · WFU's share

2023–2024

Lowest cycle

40%

Highest cycle

83%
2 cycles
100 50 0 23 24 2023: 83% 2024: 40%
WFU #30 · GW #34 LSD n≈5/yr

Admissions

Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield
2025 ABA 509
Metric
Wake Forest University logo
WFU
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
George Washington University logo
GW
Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C.
USN Rank
#30
#26
LSD Rank
#30 (0.017)
#34 (0.013)
LSAT 25th
163
162
LSAT Median
166
168
LSAT 75th
168
170
GPA Median
3.79
3.86
Acceptance Rate
24.6%
27.2%
Class Size
204
612
Yield Rate
28.3%
22.5%

Financial

Sticker price and scholarship aid
2025 ABA 509
Metric
Wake Forest University logo
WFU
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
George Washington University logo
GW
Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C.
Tuition (In-State)
$57,920
$75,420
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$57,920
$75,420
Median Grant
$40,000
$28,000
% Receiving Grants
76.0%
77.0%

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2025 ABA Employment
Metric
Wake Forest University logo
WFU
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
George Washington University logo
GW
Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C.
BigLaw (501+)
26.6%
24.1%
Federal Clerkships
4.4%
2.6%
State & Local Clerkships
5.1%
7.2%
Median Salary (Private)
-
-
Employment Rate
98.7%
96.8%
Bar Pass Rate
88.2%
90.2%

Overview

About WFU vs GW

Across 20 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 55% enrolled at Wake Forest University and 45% at George Washington University. The split has shifted -43 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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Detailed comparison narrative

This page compares Wake Forest University and George Washington University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 20 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 20 applicants admitted to both schools, 55% chose to attend Wake Forest University. 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: #26 and #30, separated by just 4 positions, making cross-admit data especially useful for deciding between them.

Wake Forest University is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 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, Wake Forest University has lower tuition at $57,920 per year compared to $75,420. Combined with employment rates of 98.7% (WFU) and 96.8% (GW), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants who enrolled, those choosing Wake Forest University reported a higher median scholarship — $144,000 versus $100,500 over three years — though aid is one of several factors behind the enrollment decision.