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Head-to-head · 33 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 100% chose YLS. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 33 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.

33
cross-admits
4
cycles
+0pt
YoY shift

Cross-admit decision

Of 33 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
Yale University logo Chose YLS
100%
Chose WUSTL Washington University in St. Louis logo
0%

Typical aid · ABA 509 · 2025

per year
$34,747
63.0% get a grant
$41,889 net tuition
$48,000
94.0% get a grant
$24,792 net tuition

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

$230,277
n = 14
—
n < 5
View all-time (46 cross-admits)
100% chose YLS 0% chose WUSTL

Trend · YLS's share

2021–2025
100%
every cycle (4)
100 50 0 21 22 23 25 2021: 100% 2022: 100% 2023: 100% 2025: 100%
YLS #1 · WUSTL #21 LSD n≈7/yr

Admissions

Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield
2025 ABA 509
Metric
Yale University logo
YLS
New Haven, Connecticut
Washington University in St. Louis logo
WUSTL
St. Louis, Missouri
USN Rank
#2
#13
LSD Rank
#1 (139.459)
#21 (0.068)
LSAT 25th
171
165
LSAT Median
174
175
LSAT 75th
177
176
GPA Median
3.96
3.96
Acceptance Rate
4.1%
19.0%
Class Size
204
261
Yield Rate
77.4%
24.2%

Financial

Sticker price and scholarship aid
2025 ABA 509
Metric
Yale University logo
YLS
New Haven, Connecticut
Washington University in St. Louis logo
WUSTL
St. Louis, Missouri
Tuition (In-State)
$76,636
$72,792
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$76,636
$72,792
Median Grant
$34,747
$48,000
% Receiving Grants
63.0%
94.0%

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2025 ABA Employment
Metric
Yale University logo
YLS
New Haven, Connecticut
Washington University in St. Louis logo
WUSTL
St. Louis, Missouri
BigLaw (501+)
31.3%
39.9%
Federal Clerkships
23.2%
11.7%
State & Local Clerkships
4.3%
2.6%
Median Salary (Private)
-
-
Employment Rate
92.9%
98.5%
Bar Pass Rate
96.5%
93.6%

Overview

About YLS vs WUSTL

Across 33 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 100% enrolled at Yale University and 0% at Washington University in St. Louis.

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 YLS and WUSTL? Work with a consultant who knows both — backed by this exact data.
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Detailed comparison narrative

This page compares Yale University and Washington University in St. Louis across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 33 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 33 applicants admitted to both schools, 100% chose to attend Yale University. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.

In the U.S. News rankings, Yale University is ranked #2 compared to #13 — a gap of 11 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

Yale University is significantly more selective, with an acceptance rate of 4.1% compared to Washington University in St. Louis's 19.0%.

Yale University is located in New Haven, Connecticut, 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.