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Head-to-head · 18 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 83% chose W&M. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 18 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.

18
cross-admits
3
cycles
-17pt
YoY shift

Cross-admit decision

Of 18 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
University of Maryland logo Chose UMD
17%
Chose W&M William & Mary Law School logo
83%

Median scholarship (chose UMD)

$102,903 / yr

Median scholarship (chose W&M)

$93,264 / yr
View all-time (53 cross-admits)
17% chose UMD 83% chose W&M

Trend · UMD's share

2009–2025

Lowest cycle

0%

Highest cycle

20%
3 cycles
100 50 0 09 21 25 2009: 17% 2021: 20% 2025: 0%
UMD #63 · W&M #32 LSD n≈5/yr

Admissions

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

Financial

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

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2025 ABA Employment
Metric
University of Maryland logo
UMD
Baltimore, Maryland
William & Mary Law School logo
W&M
Williamsburg, Virginia
BigLaw (501+)
10.1%
19.1%
Judicial Clerkships
32.2%
23.6%
Median Salary (Private)
-
-
Employment Rate
91.8%
95.0%
Bar Pass Rate
82.1%
83.6%

Overview

About UMD vs W&M

Across 18 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 17% enrolled at University of Maryland and 83% at William & Mary Law School. 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 UMD and W&M? Work with a consultant who knows both — backed by this exact data.
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Detailed comparison narrative

This page compares University of Maryland and William & Mary Law School 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.

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