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Head-to-head · 31 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 52% chose W&M. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 31 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.

31
cross-admits
15
cycles
+13pt
YoY shift

Cross-admit decision

Of 31 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
William & Mary Law School logo Chose W&M
52%
Chose GW George Washington University logo
48%

Typical aid · ABA 509 · 2025

per year
$29,302
66.0% get a grant
$9,432 net tuition
$28,000
77.0% get a grant
$47,420 net tuition

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

$112,278
n = 16
$118,500
n = 14
View all-time (113 cross-admits)
44% chose W&M 56% chose GW

Trend · W&M's share

2005–2025

Lowest cycle

13%

Highest cycle

83%
15 cycles
100 50 0 05 06 07 12 13 15 16 17 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 2005: 63% 2006: 33% 2007: 50% 2012: 60% 2013: 38% 2015: 40% 2016: 40% 2017: 13% 2019: 50% 2020: 20% 2021: 17% 2022: 33% 2023: 40% 2024: 83% 2025: 75%
W&M #30 · GW #34 LSD n≈6/yr

Admissions

Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield
2025 ABA 509
Metric
William & Mary Law School logo
W&M
Williamsburg, Virginia
George Washington University logo
GW
Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C.
USN Rank
#34
#26
LSD Rank
#30 (0.017)
#34 (0.013)
LSAT 25th
161
162
LSAT Median
166
168
LSAT 75th
167
170
GPA Median
3.82
3.86
Acceptance Rate
22.0%
27.2%
Class Size
184
612
Yield Rate
37.9%
22.5%

Financial

Sticker price and scholarship aid
2025 ABA 509
Metric
William & Mary Law School logo
W&M
Williamsburg, Virginia
George Washington University logo
GW
Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C.
Tuition (In-State)
$38,734
$75,420
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$62,900
$75,420
Median Grant
$29,302
$28,000
% Receiving Grants
66.0%
77.0%

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2025 ABA Employment
Metric
William & Mary Law School logo
W&M
Williamsburg, Virginia
George Washington University logo
GW
Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C.
BigLaw (501+)
19.1%
24.1%
Federal Clerkships
6.0%
2.6%
State & Local Clerkships
17.6%
7.2%
Median Salary (Private)
-
-
Employment Rate
95.0%
96.8%
Bar Pass Rate
83.6%
90.2%

Overview

About W&M vs GW

Across 31 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 52% enrolled at William & Mary Law School and 48% at George Washington University. The split has shifted +13 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 William & Mary Law School and George Washington University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 31 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 31 applicants admitted to both schools, 52% chose to attend William & Mary Law School. 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 #26 compared to #34 — a gap of 8 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

William & Mary Law School is located in Williamsburg, Virginia, 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, William & Mary Law School has lower tuition at $38,734 per year compared to $75,420. Combined with employment rates of 95.0% (W&M) and 96.8% (GW), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.