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Head-to-head · 14 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 71% chose CUBoulder. 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 Colorado—Boulder logo Chose CUBoulder
71%
Chose L&C Lewis And Clark College logo
29%

Median scholarship (chose CUBoulder)

$45,000 / yr

Median scholarship (chose L&C)

$111,000 / yr
View all-time (42 cross-admits)
71% chose CUBoulder 29% chose L&C
Rank summary
CUBoulder
#53
LSD
USN #54
L&C
#78
LSD
USN #112
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 Colorado—Boulder logo
CUBoulder
Boulder, Colorado
Lewis And Clark College logo
L&C
Portland, Oregon
USN Rank
#54
#112
LSD Rank
Top 75 (0.006)
75+ (0.003)
LSAT 25th
161
158
LSAT Median
164
161
LSAT 75th
167
166
GPA Median
3.81
3.59
Acceptance Rate
27.6%
54.7%
Class Size
199
176
Yield Rate
20.3%
27.6%

Financial

Sticker price, scholarships, and debt burden
2025 ABA 509
Metric
University of Colorado—Boulder logo
CUBoulder
Boulder, Colorado
Lewis And Clark College logo
L&C
Portland, Oregon
Tuition (In-State)
$35,992
$61,434
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$44,002
$61,434
Median Grant
$15,000
$26,000
% Receiving Grants
87.0%
95.0%
Avg. Debt at Graduation
-
-

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2024 ABA Employment
Metric
University of Colorado—Boulder logo
CUBoulder
Boulder, Colorado
Lewis And Clark College logo
L&C
Portland, Oregon
BigLaw (501+)
18.5%
2.6%
Judicial Clerkships
18.5%
8.8%
Median Salary (Private)
$137,500
-
Employment Rate
89.9%
82.0%
Bar Pass Rate
90.4%
85.0%

Overview

About CUBoulder vs L&C

Across 14 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 71% enrolled at University of Colorado—Boulder and 29% at Lewis And Clark College.

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 Colorado—Boulder and Lewis And Clark College across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes using official ABA 509 disclosures.

In the U.S. News rankings, University of Colorado—Boulder is ranked #54 compared to #112 — a gap of 58 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

University of Colorado—Boulder is significantly more selective, with an acceptance rate of 27.6% compared to Lewis And Clark College's 54.7%.

University of Colorado—Boulder is located in Boulder, Colorado, while Lewis And Clark College is in Portland, Oregon. Regional placement matters: graduates tend to find employment near their law school, so location should factor into your decision alongside rankings and cost.

Employment outcomes differ substantially: University of Colorado—Boulder places 18.5% of graduates into large law firm positions, compared to 2.6% for the other school. This 16 percentage point gap is significant for applicants targeting BigLaw careers.

On cost, University of Colorado—Boulder has lower tuition at $35,992 per year compared to $61,434. Combined with employment rates of 89.9% (CUBoulder) and 82.0% (L&C), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants, Lewis And Clark College offered a median scholarship of $111,000 compared to $45,000, a difference of $66,000 that may factor into enrollment decisions.