George Mason University vs. William & Mary: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
Both are Virginia law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, George Mason University is the more selective admit (median LSAT 169 vs 166); George Mason University posts the higher first-time bar passage (86.0% vs 83.6%); George Mason University is cheaper on sticker tuition ($24,864 vs $38,734); George Mason University places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (97.6% vs 93.5%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | George Mason University | William & Mary | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 169 | 166 | George Mason University |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.93 | 3.82 | George Mason University |
| Acceptance rate | 15.9% | 22.0% | George Mason University |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $24,864 | $38,734 | George Mason University |
| Non-resident tuition | $40,978 | $62,900 | George Mason University |
| Median grant | $21,000 | $29,302 | William & Mary |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 86.0% | 83.6% | George Mason University |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 93.9% | 98.6% | William & Mary |
| Bar passage vs. state average | +5.3 pts | +3.6 pts | George Mason University |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 97.6% | 93.5% | George Mason University |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 13.8% | 23.6% | William & Mary |
| Federal clerkships | 7.8% | 6.0% | George Mason University |
trajectory since 2011
Full profiles & related
George Mason University full profile · William & Mary full profile · Pin both on the interactive map → · All Virginia law schools
FAQ
Is George Mason University or William & Mary harder to get into?
George Mason University is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 169 against William & Mary's 166.
Which is cheaper, George Mason University or William & Mary?
George Mason University is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $24,864 versus William & Mary's $38,734.
Which has better bar passage, George Mason University or William & Mary?
George Mason University has the higher first-time bar passage, 86.0% against William & Mary's 83.6%.
Which has better job outcomes, George Mason University or William & Mary?
George Mason University places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (97.6% vs 93.5%).
George Mason University vs William & Mary: 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 Mason 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.