University of Virginia vs Washington and Lee University

This page compares University of Virginia and Washington and Lee University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes using official ABA 509 disclosures.

In the U.S. News rankings, University of Virginia is ranked #4 compared to #36 — a gap of 32 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

There is a meaningful difference in admissions competitiveness: University of Virginia has a median LSAT of 173 compared to 167, a gap of 6 points. This suggests applicants to University of Virginia face a more competitive admissions pool.

University of Virginia is significantly more selective, with an acceptance rate of 10.2% compared to Washington and Lee University's 22.7%.

Both schools are located in Virginia — University of Virginia in Charlottesville and Washington and Lee University in Lexington — meaning graduates often compete in the same regional legal market.

Employment outcomes differ substantially: University of Virginia places 60.2% of graduates into large law firm positions, compared to 21.3% for the other school. This 39 percentage point gap is significant for applicants targeting BigLaw careers.

On cost, Washington and Lee University has lower tuition at $57,450 per year compared to $74,078. Combined with employment rates of 95.3% (UVA) and 95.0% (W&L), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants, Washington and Lee University offered a median scholarship of $117,750 compared to $71,250, a difference of $46,500 that may factor into enrollment decisions.