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Head-to-head · 32 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 66% chose WFU. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 32 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.

32
cross-admits
11
cycles
-27pt
YoY shift

Cross-admit decision

Of 32 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
Wake Forest University logo Chose WFU
66%
Chose W&L Washington and Lee University logo
34%

Median scholarship (chose WFU)

$127,500 / yr

Median scholarship (chose W&L)

$135,000 / yr
View all-time (92 cross-admits)
50% chose WFU 50% chose W&L

Trend · WFU's share

2006–2025

Lowest cycle

11%

Highest cycle

83%
11 cycles
100 50 0 06 07 09 16 17 20 21 22 23 24 25 2006: 60% 2007: 20% 2009: 50% 2016: 33% 2017: 11% 2020: 60% 2021: 83% 2022: 80% 2023: 80% 2024: 40% 2025: 33%
WFU #31 · W&L #44 LSD n≈6/yr

Admissions

Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield
2025 ABA 509
Metric
Wake Forest University logo
WFU
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Washington and Lee University logo
W&L
Lexington, Virginia
USN Rank
#30
#34
LSD Rank
#31 (0.019)
#44 (0.009)
LSAT 25th
163
161
LSAT Median
166
167
LSAT 75th
168
168
GPA Median
3.79
3.75
Acceptance Rate
24.6%
22.7%
Class Size
204
131
Yield Rate
28.3%
24.1%

Financial

Sticker price, scholarships, and debt burden
2025 ABA 509
Metric
Wake Forest University logo
WFU
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Washington and Lee University logo
W&L
Lexington, Virginia
Tuition (In-State)
$57,920
$57,450
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$57,920
$57,450
Median Grant
$40,000
$33,500
% Receiving Grants
76.0%
97.0%
Avg. Debt at Graduation
-
-

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2024 ABA Employment
Metric
Wake Forest University logo
WFU
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Washington and Lee University logo
W&L
Lexington, Virginia
BigLaw (501+)
24.5%
21.3%
Judicial Clerkships
7.1%
14.2%
Median Salary (Private)
$135,000
$170,000
Employment Rate
97.4%
95.0%
Bar Pass Rate
88.2%
89.4%

Overview

About WFU vs W&L

Across 32 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 66% enrolled at Wake Forest University and 34% at Washington and Lee University. The split has shifted -27 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 WFU and W&L? Work with a consultant who knows both — backed by this exact data.
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Detailed comparison narrative

This page compares Wake Forest University and Washington and Lee University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 32 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 32 applicants admitted to both schools, 66% chose to attend Wake Forest University. 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: #30 and #34, separated by just 4 positions, making cross-admit data especially useful for deciding between them.

Wake Forest University is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, while Washington and Lee University is in Lexington, Virginia. Regional placement matters: graduates tend to find employment near their law school, so location should factor into your decision alongside rankings and cost.