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Side-by-side comparison of admissions, costs, and outcomes
View all-time data (154 cross-admits)
154 total cross-admit decisions (all cycles)
UNC is #19 · WFU is #31 in the LSD rankings
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About this comparison
This page compares University of North Carolina and Wake Forest University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 57 applicants admitted to both.
Based on 57 applicants admitted to both schools, 90% chose to attend University of North Carolina. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.
In the U.S. News rankings, University of North Carolina is ranked #18 compared to #26 — a gap of 8 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.
University of North Carolina is significantly more selective, with an acceptance rate of 11.2% compared to Wake Forest University's 24.6%.
Both schools are located in North Carolina — University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill and Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem — meaning graduates often compete in the same regional legal market.
On cost, University of North Carolina has lower tuition at $28,082 per year compared to $57,920. Combined with employment rates of 96.2% (UNC) and 97.4% (WFU), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.
Among cross-admitted applicants, Wake Forest University offered a median scholarship of $135,000 compared to $52,500, a difference of $82,500 that may factor into enrollment decisions.
Compare Another Pair
Admissions Comparison
2025 ABA 509How these schools compare on LSAT, GPA, selectivity, and class composition.
| Metric | UNC | WFU |
|---|---|---|
| USN Rank | #18 ▲ | #26 |
| LSD Rank | #19 (0.080) ▲ | #31 (0.019) |
| LSAT 25th | 165 ▲ | 163 |
| LSAT Median | 168 ▲ | 166 |
| LSAT 75th | 169 ▲ | 168 |
| GPA Median | 3.89 ▲ | 3.79 |
| Acceptance Rate | 11.2% ▲ | 24.6% |
| Class Size | 181 | 204 |
| Yield Rate | 45.5% ▲ | 28.3% |
Financial Comparison
2025 ABA 509Tuition, scholarships, and debt burden at each school.
| Metric | UNC | WFU |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition (In-State) | $28,082 ▲ | $57,920 |
| Tuition (Out-of-State) | $51,320 ▲ | $57,920 |
| Median Grant | $17,000 | $40,000 ▲ |
| % Receiving Grants | 95.0% ▲ | 76.0% |
| Avg. Debt at Graduation | - | - |
Employment Outcomes
2024 ABA 509Post-graduation employment placement, salaries, and bar passage.
| Metric | UNC | WFU |
|---|---|---|
| BigLaw (501+) | 24.8% ▲ | 24.5% |
| Judicial Clerkships | 10.0% ▲ | 7.1% |
| Median Salary (Private) | $175,000 ▲ | $135,000 |
| Employment Rate | 96.2% | 97.4% ▲ |
| Bar Pass Rate | 92.3% ▲ | 88.2% |
Cross-Admit Decisions by Cycle
How cross-admit preferences have shifted over recent application cycles.
| Cycle | Split | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-2025 |
94%
|
16 |
| 2023-2024 |
86%
|
14 |
| 2022-2023 |
93%
|
14 |
| 2021-2022 |
90%
|
10 |
| 2020-2021 |
86%
|
14 |
| 2019-2020 |
86%
|
7 |
| 2016-2017 |
71%
|
7 |
| 2014-2015 |
50%
|
6 |
| 2010-2011 |
83%
|
6 |
| 2009-2010 |
82%
|
11 |
| 2008-2009 |
100%
|
5 |
| 2007-2008 |
63%
|
8 |
| 2005-2006 |
60%
|
5 |
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