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Head-to-head · 14 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 71% chose Cincinnati. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 14 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.

14
cross-admits

Cross-admit decision

Of 14 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
University of Cincinnati logo Chose Cincinnati
71%
Chose Louisville University of Louisville logo
29%

Median scholarship (chose Cincinnati)

$51,000 / yr

Median scholarship (chose Louisville)

$60,000 / yr
View all-time (20 cross-admits)
75% chose Cincinnati 25% chose Louisville
Rank summary
Cincinnati
#63
LSD
USN #82
Louisville
#110
LSD
USN #124
LSD rank reflects where admitted applicants actually enroll. USN ranks come from US News.

Admissions

Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield
2025 ABA 509
Metric
University of Cincinnati logo
Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio
University of Louisville logo
Louisville
Louisville, Kentucky
USN Rank
#82
#124
LSD Rank
Top 75 (0.005)
75+ (0.002)
LSAT 25th
156
154
LSAT Median
159
157
LSAT 75th
161
161
GPA Median
3.80
3.67
Acceptance Rate
32.7%
63.4%
Class Size
139
145
Yield Rate
30.5%
39.5%

Financial

Sticker price, scholarships, and debt burden
2025 ABA 509
Metric
University of Cincinnati logo
Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio
University of Louisville logo
Louisville
Louisville, Kentucky
Tuition (In-State)
$24,010
$27,000
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$29,010
$32,000
Median Grant
$19,000
$12,000
% Receiving Grants
100.0%
75.0%
Avg. Debt at Graduation
-
-

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2024 ABA Employment
Metric
University of Cincinnati logo
Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio
University of Louisville logo
Louisville
Louisville, Kentucky
BigLaw (501+)
6.2%
3.2%
Judicial Clerkships
6.2%
3.2%
Median Salary (Private)
$71,000
$70,000
Employment Rate
88.5%
84.9%
Bar Pass Rate
85.6%
75.6%

Overview

About Cincinnati vs Louisville

Across 14 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 71% enrolled at University of Cincinnati 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.

Deciding between Cincinnati and Louisville? Work with a consultant who knows both — backed by this exact data.
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Detailed comparison narrative

This page compares University of Cincinnati and University of Louisville across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes using official ABA 509 disclosures.

In the U.S. News rankings, University of Cincinnati is ranked #82 compared to #124 — a gap of 42 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

University of Cincinnati is significantly more selective, with an acceptance rate of 32.7% compared to University of Louisville's 63.4%.

University of Cincinnati is located in Cincinnati, Ohio, while University of Louisville is in Louisville, Kentucky. Regional placement matters: graduates tend to find employment near their law school, so location should factor into your decision alongside rankings and cost.