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University of North Carolina vs William & Mary Law School
Side-by-side comparison of admissions, costs, and outcomes
View all-time data (46 cross-admits)
46 total cross-admit decisions (all cycles)
UNC is #19 · W&M is #32 in the LSD rankings
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About this comparison
This page compares University of North Carolina 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, University of North Carolina is ranked #18 compared to #31 — a gap of 13 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 William & Mary Law School's 22.0%.
University of North Carolina is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 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.
On cost, University of North Carolina has lower tuition at $28,082 per year compared to $38,734. Combined with employment rates of 96.2% (UNC) and 91.8% (W&M), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.
Among cross-admitted applicants, William & Mary Law School offered a median scholarship of $111,318 compared to $48,750, a difference of $62,568 that may factor into enrollment decisions.
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Admissions Comparison
2025 ABA 509How these schools compare on LSAT, GPA, selectivity, and class composition.
| Metric | UNC | W&M |
|---|---|---|
| USN Rank | #18 ▲ | #31 |
| LSD Rank | #19 (0.080) ▲ | #32 (0.014) |
| LSAT 25th | 165 ▲ | 161 |
| LSAT Median | 168 ▲ | 166 |
| LSAT 75th | 169 ▲ | 167 |
| GPA Median | 3.89 ▲ | 3.82 |
| Acceptance Rate | 11.2% ▲ | 22.0% |
| Class Size | 181 | 184 |
| Yield Rate | 45.5% ▲ | 37.9% |
Financial Comparison
2025 ABA 509Tuition, scholarships, and debt burden at each school.
| Metric | UNC | W&M |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition (In-State) | $28,082 ▲ | $38,734 |
| Tuition (Out-of-State) | $51,320 ▲ | $62,900 |
| Median Grant | $17,000 | $29,302 ▲ |
| % Receiving Grants | 95.0% ▲ | 66.0% |
| Avg. Debt at Graduation | - | - |
Employment Outcomes
2024 ABA 509Post-graduation employment placement, salaries, and bar passage.
| Metric | UNC | W&M |
|---|---|---|
| BigLaw (501+) | 24.8% ▲ | 18.2% |
| Judicial Clerkships | 10.0% | 14.1% ▲ |
| Median Salary (Private) | $175,000 | $185,000 ▲ |
| Employment Rate | 96.2% ▲ | 91.8% |
| Bar Pass Rate | 92.3% ▲ | 83.6% |
Cross-Admit Decisions by Cycle
How cross-admit preferences have shifted over recent application cycles.
UNC
W&M
| Cycle | Split | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-2023 |
100%
|
5 |
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