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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%

Median scholarship (chose WFU)

$135,000 / yr

Median scholarship (chose GW)

$100,500 / yr
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 #31 · GW #32 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
#31 (0.019)
#32 (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, scholarships, and debt burden
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%
Avg. Debt at Graduation
-
-

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2024 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+)
24.5%
30.0%
Judicial Clerkships
7.1%
10.5%
Median Salary (Private)
$135,000
$215,000
Employment Rate
97.4%
96.5%
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 97.4% (WFU) and 96.5% (GW), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants, Wake Forest University offered a median scholarship of $135,000 compared to $100,500, a difference of $34,500 that may factor into enrollment decisions.