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Head-to-head · 20 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 60% chose UWisconsin. 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

Cross-admit decision

Of 20 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
University of Wisconsin logo Chose UWisconsin
60%
Chose GW George Washington University logo
40%

Typical aid · ABA 509 · 2025

per year
$35,000
94.0% get a grant
$1,526 net tuition
$28,000
77.0% get a grant
$47,420 net tuition

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

$129,000
n = 11
$105,000
n = 8
View all-time (29 cross-admits)
52% chose UWisconsin 48% chose GW
Rank summary
UWisconsin
#29
LSD
USN #26
GW
#34
LSD
USN #26
LSD rank reflects where admitted applicants actually enroll. USN ranks come from US News.

Admissions

Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield
2025 ABA 509
Metric
University of Wisconsin logo
UWisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin
George Washington University logo
GW
Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C.
USN Rank
#26
#26
LSD Rank
#29 (0.022)
#34 (0.013)
LSAT 25th
161
162
LSAT Median
167
168
LSAT 75th
169
170
GPA Median
3.81
3.86
Acceptance Rate
19.1%
27.2%
Class Size
224
612
Yield Rate
46.4%
22.5%

Financial

Sticker price and scholarship aid
2025 ABA 509
Metric
University of Wisconsin logo
UWisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin
George Washington University logo
GW
Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C.
Tuition (In-State)
$36,526
$75,420
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$53,640
$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 Wisconsin logo
UWisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin
George Washington University logo
GW
Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C.
BigLaw (501+)
12.9%
24.1%
Federal Clerkships
3.5%
2.6%
State & Local Clerkships
2.4%
7.2%
Median Salary (Private)
-
-
Employment Rate
96.1%
96.8%
Bar Pass Rate
80.0%
90.2%

Overview

About UWisconsin vs GW

Across 20 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 60% enrolled at University of Wisconsin and 40% at George Washington University.

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 University of Wisconsin 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, 60% chose to attend University of Wisconsin. 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 #26, separated by just 0 positions, making cross-admit data especially useful for deciding between them.

University of Wisconsin is located in Madison, Wisconsin, 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.

Employment outcomes differ substantially: George Washington University places 24.1% of graduates into large law firm positions, compared to 12.9% for the other school. This 11 percentage point gap is significant for applicants targeting BigLaw careers.

On cost, University of Wisconsin has lower tuition at $36,526 per year compared to $75,420. Combined with employment rates of 96.1% (UWisconsin) and 96.8% (GW), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants who enrolled, those choosing University of Wisconsin reported a higher median scholarship — $129,000 versus $105,000 over three years — though aid is one of several factors behind the enrollment decision.