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Head-to-head · 28 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 79% chose WFU. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 28 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.

28
cross-admits
5
cycles
+37pt
YoY shift

Cross-admit decision

Of 28 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
Wake Forest University logo Chose WFU
79%
Chose W&M William & Mary Law School logo
21%

Median scholarship (chose WFU)

$120,000 / yr

Median scholarship (chose W&M)

$137,004 / yr
View all-time (85 cross-admits)
47% chose WFU 53% chose W&M

Trend · WFU's share

2005–2025

Lowest cycle

0%

Highest cycle

90%
5 cycles
100 50 0 05 09 21 23 25 2005: 20% 2009: 0% 2021: 88% 2023: 90% 2025: 57%
WFU #31 · W&M #32 LSD n≈7/yr

Admissions

Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield
2025 ABA 509
Metric
Wake Forest University logo
WFU
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
William & Mary Law School logo
W&M
Williamsburg, Virginia
USN Rank
#30
#34
LSD Rank
#31 (0.019)
#32 (0.014)
LSAT 25th
163
161
LSAT Median
166
166
LSAT 75th
168
167
GPA Median
3.79
3.82
Acceptance Rate
24.6%
22.0%
Class Size
204
184
Yield Rate
28.3%
37.9%

Financial

Sticker price, scholarships, and debt burden
2025 ABA 509
Metric
Wake Forest University logo
WFU
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
William & Mary Law School logo
W&M
Williamsburg, Virginia
Tuition (In-State)
$57,920
$38,734
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$57,920
$62,900
Median Grant
$40,000
$29,302
% Receiving Grants
76.0%
66.0%
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
William & Mary Law School logo
W&M
Williamsburg, Virginia
BigLaw (501+)
24.5%
18.2%
Judicial Clerkships
7.1%
14.1%
Median Salary (Private)
$135,000
$185,000
Employment Rate
97.4%
91.8%
Bar Pass Rate
88.2%
83.6%

Overview

About WFU vs W&M

Across 28 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 79% enrolled at Wake Forest University and 21% at William & Mary Law School. The split has shifted +37 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.

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Detailed comparison narrative

This page compares Wake Forest University and William & Mary Law School across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 28 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 28 applicants admitted to both schools, 79% 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 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, William & Mary Law School has lower tuition at $38,734 per year compared to $57,920. Combined with employment rates of 97.4% (WFU) 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 $137,004 compared to $120,000, a difference of $17,004 that may factor into enrollment decisions.