George Washington University vs. Howard 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 156); George Washington University posts the higher first-time bar passage (90.22% vs 76.77%); Howard University is cheaper on sticker tuition ($39,780 vs $75,420); George Washington University places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (96.8% vs 70.3%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | George Washington University | Howard University | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 168 | 156 | George Washington University |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.86 | 3.63 | George Washington University |
| Acceptance rate | 27.2% | 24.1% | Howard University |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $75,420 | $39,780 | Howard University |
| Non-resident tuition | $75,420 | $39,780 | Howard University |
| Median grant | $28,000 | $23,657 | George Washington University |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 90.22% | 76.77% | George Washington University |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 95.43% | 87.32% | George Washington University |
| Bar passage vs. state average | +7.5 pts | -5.5 pts | George Washington University |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 96.8% | 70.3% | George Washington University |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 28.7% | 36.1% | Howard University |
| Federal clerkships | 2.6% | 1.9% | George Washington University |
15-year trajectory
Full profiles & related
George Washington University full profile · Howard University full profile · All District of Columbia law schools
FAQ
Is George Washington University or Howard University harder to get into?
George Washington University is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 168 against Howard University's 156.
Which is cheaper, George Washington University or Howard University?
Howard University is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $39,780 versus George Washington University's $75,420.
Which has better bar passage, George Washington University or Howard University?
George Washington University has the higher first-time bar passage, 90.22% against Howard University's 76.77%.
Which has better job outcomes, George Washington University or Howard University?
George Washington University places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (96.8% vs 70.3%).
George Washington University vs Howard 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.