University of Chicago vs Washington University in St. Louis

This page compares University of Chicago and Washington University in St. Louis across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 38 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 38 applicants admitted to both schools, 100% chose to attend University of Chicago. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.

In the U.S. News rankings, University of Chicago is ranked #3 compared to #14 — a gap of 11 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

University of Chicago is significantly more selective, with an acceptance rate of 9.7% compared to Washington University in St. Louis's 19.0%.

University of Chicago is located in Chicago, Illinois, while Washington University in St. Louis is in St. Louis, Missouri. 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, Washington University in St. Louis has lower tuition at $72,792 per year compared to $83,316. Combined with employment rates of 97.0% (UC) and 96.8% (WUSTL), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants, Washington University in St. Louis offered a median scholarship of $191,000 compared to $45,000, a difference of $146,000 that may factor into enrollment decisions.