Hate ads? Verify for LSD+ → Learn More

Follow @lawschooldata on TikTok & Instagram

Head-to-head · 33 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 97% chose UT. 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
13
cycles
+13pt
YoY shift

Cross-admit decision

Of 33 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
University of Texas at Austin logo Chose UT
97%
Chose Baylor University Baylor University logo
3%

Typical aid · ABA 509 · 2025

per year
$23,375
94.0% get a grant
$14,861 net tuition
$33,518
97.0% get a grant

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

$60,000
n = 26
—
n < 5
View all-time (127 cross-admits)
98% chose UT 2% chose Baylor University

Trend · UT's share

2004–2025

Lowest cycle

88%

Highest cycle

100%
13 cycles
100 50 0 04 05 06 07 08 09 12 17 20 22 23 24 25 2004: 88% 2005: 100% 2006: 100% 2007: 100% 2008: 100% 2009: 100% 2012: 100% 2017: 100% 2020: 100% 2022: 100% 2023: 100% 2024: 100% 2025: 100%
UT #15 · Baylor University #80 LSD n≈7/yr

Admissions

Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield
2025 ABA 509
Metric
University of Texas at Austin logo
UT
Austin, Texas
Baylor University logo
Baylor University
Waco, Texas
USN Rank
#16
#34
LSD Rank
#15 (0.174)
75+ (0.003)
LSAT 25th
166
159
LSAT Median
172
164
LSAT 75th
173
165
GPA Median
3.89
3.77
Acceptance Rate
14.0%
20.6%
Class Size
373
165
Yield Rate
41.0%
21.9%

Financial

Sticker price and scholarship aid
2025 ABA 509
Metric
University of Texas at Austin logo
UT
Austin, Texas
Baylor University logo
Baylor University
Waco, Texas
Tuition (In-State)
$38,236
-
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$56,822
-
Median Grant
$23,375
$33,518
% Receiving Grants
94.0%
97.0%

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2025 ABA Employment
Metric
University of Texas at Austin logo
UT
Austin, Texas
Baylor University logo
Baylor University
Waco, Texas
BigLaw (501+)
39.3%
11.8%
Federal Clerkships
14.3%
7.3%
State & Local Clerkships
3.9%
0.9%
Median Salary (Private)
-
-
Employment Rate
99.4%
97.3%
Bar Pass Rate
95.6%
94.9%

Overview

About UT vs Baylor University

Across 33 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 97% enrolled at University of Texas at Austin and 3% at Baylor University. The split has shifted +13 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.

Deciding between UT and Baylor University? Work with a consultant who knows both — backed by this exact data.
Join waitlist →

Compare another pair

vs
Detailed comparison narrative

This page compares University of Texas at Austin and Baylor University 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, 97% chose to attend University of Texas at Austin. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.

In the U.S. News rankings, University of Texas at Austin is ranked #16 compared to #34 — a gap of 18 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

There is a meaningful difference in admissions competitiveness: University of Texas at Austin has a median LSAT of 172 compared to 164, a gap of 8 points. This suggests applicants to University of Texas at Austin face a more competitive admissions pool.

Both schools are located in Texas — University of Texas at Austin in Austin and Baylor University in Waco — meaning graduates often compete in the same regional legal market.

Employment outcomes differ substantially: University of Texas at Austin places 39.3% of graduates into large law firm positions, compared to 11.8% for the other school. This 27 percentage point gap is significant for applicants targeting BigLaw careers.

On cost, Baylor University has lower tuition at - per year compared to $38,236. Combined with employment rates of 99.4% (UT) and 97.3% (Baylor University), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.