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Head-to-head · 17 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 82% chose W&M. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 17 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.

17
cross-admits
3
cycles
+17pt
YoY shift

Cross-admit decision

Of 17 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
William & Mary Law School logo Chose W&M
82%
Chose UMD University of Maryland logo
18%

Median scholarship (chose W&M)

$93,264 / yr

Median scholarship (chose UMD)

$102,903 / yr
View all-time (52 cross-admits)
83% chose W&M 17% chose UMD

Trend · W&M's share

2009–2025

Lowest cycle

80%

Highest cycle

100%
3 cycles
100 50 0 09 21 25 2009: 83% 2021: 80% 2025: 100%
W&M #32 · UMD #63 LSD n≈5/yr

Admissions

Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield
2025 ABA 509
Metric
William & Mary Law School logo
W&M
Williamsburg, Virginia
University of Maryland logo
UMD
Baltimore, Maryland
USN Rank
#34
#62
LSD Rank
#32 (0.014)
Top 75 (0.004)
LSAT 25th
161
156
LSAT Median
166
164
LSAT 75th
167
166
GPA Median
3.82
3.72
Acceptance Rate
22.0%
26.1%
Class Size
184
229
Yield Rate
37.9%
30.5%

Financial

Sticker price, scholarships, and debt burden
2025 ABA 509
Metric
William & Mary Law School logo
W&M
Williamsburg, Virginia
University of Maryland logo
UMD
Baltimore, Maryland
Tuition (In-State)
$38,734
$37,830
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$62,900
$55,844
Median Grant
$29,302
$28,000
% Receiving Grants
66.0%
79.0%
Avg. Debt at Graduation
-
-

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2024 ABA Employment
Metric
William & Mary Law School logo
W&M
Williamsburg, Virginia
University of Maryland logo
UMD
Baltimore, Maryland
BigLaw (501+)
18.2%
9.8%
Judicial Clerkships
14.1%
30.7%
Median Salary (Private)
$185,000
$100,000
Employment Rate
91.8%
93.4%
Bar Pass Rate
83.6%
82.1%

Overview

About W&M vs UMD

Across 17 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 82% enrolled at William & Mary Law School and 18% at University of Maryland. The split has shifted +17 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 W&M and UMD? Work with a consultant who knows both — backed by this exact data.
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Detailed comparison narrative

This page compares William & Mary Law School and University of Maryland across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes using official ABA 509 disclosures.

In the U.S. News rankings, William & Mary Law School is ranked #34 compared to #62 — a gap of 28 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

William & Mary Law School is located in Williamsburg, Virginia, while University of Maryland is in Baltimore, Maryland. Regional placement matters: graduates tend to find employment near their law school, so location should factor into your decision alongside rankings and cost.