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Head-to-head · 24 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 71% chose UKentucky. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 24 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.

24
cross-admits
2
cycles
+0pt
YoY shift

Cross-admit decision

Of 24 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
University of Kentucky logo Chose UKentucky
71%
Chose Louisville University of Louisville logo
29%

Median scholarship (chose UKentucky)

$30,000 / yr

Median scholarship (chose Louisville)

$45,000 / yr
View all-time (41 cross-admits)
81% chose UKentucky 19% chose Louisville

Trend · UKentucky's share

2022–2024
71%
every cycle (2)
100 50 0 22 24 2022: 71% 2024: 71%
UKentucky #89 · Louisville #110 LSD n≈7/yr

Admissions

Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield
2025 ABA 509
Metric
University of Kentucky logo
UKentucky
Lexington, Kentucky
University of Louisville logo
Louisville
Louisville, Kentucky
USN Rank
#70
#124
LSD Rank
75+ (0.002)
75+ (0.002)
LSAT 25th
156
154
LSAT Median
159
157
LSAT 75th
162
161
GPA Median
3.72
3.67
Acceptance Rate
40.8%
63.4%
Class Size
147
145
Yield Rate
28.4%
39.5%

Financial

Sticker price, scholarships, and debt burden
2025 ABA 509
Metric
University of Kentucky logo
UKentucky
Lexington, Kentucky
University of Louisville logo
Louisville
Louisville, Kentucky
Tuition (In-State)
$25,685
$27,000
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$49,836
$32,000
Median Grant
$11,000
$12,000
% Receiving Grants
98.0%
75.0%
Avg. Debt at Graduation
-
-

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2024 ABA Employment
Metric
University of Kentucky logo
UKentucky
Lexington, Kentucky
University of Louisville logo
Louisville
Louisville, Kentucky
BigLaw (501+)
6.5%
3.2%
Judicial Clerkships
15.1%
3.2%
Median Salary (Private)
$85,000
$70,000
Employment Rate
97.8%
84.9%
Bar Pass Rate
83.1%
75.6%

Overview

About UKentucky vs Louisville

Across 24 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 71% enrolled at University of Kentucky and 29% at University of Louisville.

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.

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Detailed comparison narrative

This page compares University of Kentucky and University of Louisville across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 24 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 24 applicants admitted to both schools, 71% chose to attend University of Kentucky. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.

In the U.S. News rankings, University of Kentucky is ranked #70 compared to #124 — a gap of 54 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

University of Kentucky is significantly more selective, with an acceptance rate of 40.8% compared to University of Louisville's 63.4%.

Both schools are located in Kentucky — University of Kentucky in Lexington and University of Louisville in Louisville — meaning graduates often compete in the same regional legal market.

Among cross-admitted applicants, University of Louisville offered a median scholarship of $45,000 compared to $30,000, a difference of $15,000 that may factor into enrollment decisions.