Hate ads? Verify for LSD+ → Learn More

Follow @lawschooldata on TikTok & Instagram

Head-to-head · 28 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 50% chose UCD. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 28 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.

28
cross-admits
4
cycles
+10pt
YoY shift

Cross-admit decision

Of 28 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
University of California—Davis logo Chose UCD
50%
Chose UWashington University of Washington logo
50%

Median scholarship (chose UCD)

$105,000 / yr

Median scholarship (chose UWashington)

$45,000 / yr
View all-time (52 cross-admits)
48% chose UCD 52% chose UWashington

Trend · UCD's share

2021–2025

Lowest cycle

38%

Highest cycle

60%
4 cycles
100 50 0 21 22 23 25 2021: 50% 2022: 38% 2023: 57% 2025: 60%
UCD #46 · UWashington #52 LSD n≈6/yr

Admissions

Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield
2025 ABA 509
Metric
University of California—Davis logo
UCD
Davis, California
University of Washington logo
UWashington
Seattle, Washington
USN Rank
#52
#52
LSD Rank
#46 (0.009)
Top 75 (0.008)
LSAT 25th
160
162
LSAT Median
165
165
LSAT 75th
167
167
GPA Median
3.70
3.76
Acceptance Rate
16.0%
19.6%
Class Size
209
207
Yield Rate
33.0%
30.2%

Financial

Sticker price and scholarship aid
2025 ABA 509
Metric
University of California—Davis logo
UCD
Davis, California
University of Washington logo
UWashington
Seattle, Washington
Tuition (In-State)
$57,460
$45,927
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$69,705
$57,810
Median Grant
$25,000
$14,000
% Receiving Grants
99.0%
70.0%

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2025 ABA Employment
Metric
University of California—Davis logo
UCD
Davis, California
University of Washington logo
UWashington
Seattle, Washington
BigLaw (501+)
22.1%
15.3%
Judicial Clerkships
6.9%
8.5%
Median Salary (Private)
-
-
Employment Rate
95.6%
88.7%
Bar Pass Rate
88.9%
91.7%

Overview

About UCD vs UWashington

Across 28 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 50% enrolled at University of California—Davis and 50% at University of Washington. The split has shifted +10 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.

Deciding between UCD and UWashington? Work with a consultant who knows both — backed by this exact data.
Join waitlist →

Compare another pair

vs
Detailed comparison narrative

This page compares University of California—Davis and University of Washington across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 28 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 28 applicants admitted to both schools, 50% chose to attend University of Washington. 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: #52 and #52, separated by just 0 positions, making cross-admit data especially useful for deciding between them.

University of California—Davis is located in Davis, California, while University of Washington is in Seattle, Washington. 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, University of Washington has lower tuition at $45,927 per year compared to $57,460. Combined with employment rates of 95.6% (UCD) and 88.7% (UWashington), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants, University of California—Davis offered a median scholarship of $105,000 compared to $45,000, a difference of $60,000 that may factor into enrollment decisions.