District of Columbia vs. George Washington University: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
Both are District of Columbia law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, George Washington University is the more selective admit (median LSAT 168 vs 151); George Washington University posts the higher first-time bar passage (90.22% vs 65.57%); District of Columbia is cheaper on sticker tuition ($12,438 vs $75,420); George Washington University places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (96.8% vs 71.2%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | District of Columbia | George Washington University | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 151 | 168 | George Washington University |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.28 | 3.86 | George Washington University |
| Acceptance rate | 37% | 27.2% | George Washington University |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $12,438 | $75,420 | District of Columbia |
| Non-resident tuition | $28,874 | $75,420 | District of Columbia |
| Median grant | $8,292 | $28,000 | George Washington University |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 65.57% | 90.22% | George Washington University |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 75% | 95.43% | George Washington University |
| Bar passage vs. state average | -15.1 pts | +7.5 pts | George Washington University |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 71.2% | 96.8% | George Washington University |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 2.4% | 28.7% | George Washington University |
| Federal clerkships | 0% | 2.6% | George Washington University |
15-year trajectory
Full profiles & related
District of Columbia full profile · George Washington University full profile · All District of Columbia law schools
FAQ
Is District of Columbia or George Washington University harder to get into?
George Washington University is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 168 against District of Columbia's 151.
Which is cheaper, District of Columbia or George Washington University?
District of Columbia is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $12,438 versus George Washington University's $75,420.
Which has better bar passage, District of Columbia or George Washington University?
George Washington University has the higher first-time bar passage, 90.22% against District of Columbia's 65.57%.
Which has better job outcomes, District of Columbia or George Washington University?
George Washington University places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (96.8% vs 71.2%).
District of Columbia vs George Washington University: which is better?
It depends on what you weigh — the table above shows where each wins. Across the four headline measures (selectivity, sticker cost, first-time bar passage, and JD employment), George Washington University leads on more of them, but read the row that matters most to you rather than the count.
Source: ABA Standard 509 Required Disclosures, most recent reported cycle. Last updated June 26, 2026.