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Head-to-head · 36 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 86% chose UT. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 36 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.

36
cross-admits
18
cycles
+10pt
YoY shift

Cross-admit decision

Of 36 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
University of Texas at Austin logo Chose UT
86%
Chose WUSTL Washington University in St. Louis logo
14%

Typical aid · ABA 509 · 2025

per year
$23,375
94.0% get a grant
$14,861 net tuition
$48,000
94.0% get a grant
$24,792 net tuition

Cross-admits who enrolled · self-reported, 3-yr award

$90,000
n = 25
$168,000
n = 5
View all-time (164 cross-admits)
76% chose UT 24% chose WUSTL

Trend · UT's share

2006–2025

Lowest cycle

50%

Highest cycle

100%
18 cycles
100 50 0 06 07 08 09 10 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 21 22 23 24 25 2006: 90% 2007: 63% 2008: 90% 2009: 57% 2010: 80% 2012: 88% 2013: 64% 2014: 56% 2015: 70% 2016: 50% 2017: 85% 2018: 75% 2019: 60% 2021: 60% 2022: 67% 2023: 86% 2024: 100% 2025: 100%
UT #15 · WUSTL #19 LSD n≈8/yr

Admissions

Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield
2025 ABA 509
Metric
University of Texas at Austin logo
UT
Austin, Texas
Washington University in St. Louis logo
WUSTL
St. Louis, Missouri
USN Rank
#16
#13
LSD Rank
#15 (0.164)
#19 (0.073)
LSAT 25th
166
165
LSAT Median
172
175
LSAT 75th
173
176
GPA Median
3.89
3.96
Acceptance Rate
14.0%
19.0%
Class Size
373
261
Yield Rate
41.0%
24.2%

Financial

Sticker price and scholarship aid
2025 ABA 509
Metric
University of Texas at Austin logo
UT
Austin, Texas
Washington University in St. Louis logo
WUSTL
St. Louis, Missouri
Tuition (In-State)
$38,236
$72,792
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$56,822
$72,792
Median Grant
$23,375
$48,000
% Receiving Grants
94.0%
94.0%

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2025 ABA Employment
Metric
University of Texas at Austin logo
UT
Austin, Texas
Washington University in St. Louis logo
WUSTL
St. Louis, Missouri
BigLaw (501+)
39.3%
39.9%
Federal Clerkships
14.3%
11.7%
State & Local Clerkships
3.9%
2.6%
Median Salary (Private)
-
-
Employment Rate
99.4%
98.5%
Bar Pass Rate
95.6%
93.6%

Overview

About UT vs WUSTL

Across 36 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 86% enrolled at University of Texas at Austin and 14% at Washington University in St. Louis. The split has shifted +10 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 UT and WUSTL? Work with a consultant who knows both — backed by this exact data.
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Compare another pair

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Detailed comparison narrative

This page compares University of Texas at Austin and Washington University in St. Louis across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 36 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 36 applicants admitted to both schools, 86% chose to attend University of Texas at Austin. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.

Both schools are closely ranked in U.S. News: #13 and #16, separated by just 3 positions, making cross-admit data especially useful for deciding between them.

University of Texas at Austin is located in Austin, Texas, 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, University of Texas at Austin has lower tuition at $38,236 per year compared to $72,792. Combined with employment rates of 99.4% (UT) and 98.5% (WUSTL), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants who enrolled, those choosing Washington University in St. Louis reported a higher median scholarship — $168,000 versus $90,000 over three years — though aid is one of several factors behind the enrollment decision.