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Head-to-head · 18 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 72% chose IU. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 18 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.

18
cross-admits

Cross-admit decision

Of 18 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
University of Colorado—Boulder logo Chose CUBoulder
28%
Chose IU Indiana University - Bloomington logo
72%

Typical aid · ABA 509 · 2025

per year
$15,000
87.0% get a grant
$20,992 net tuition
$33,000
100.0% get a grant
$3,950 net tuition

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

$51,518
n = 5
$174,000
n = 13
View all-time (30 cross-admits)
30% chose CUBoulder 70% chose IU
Rank summary
CUBoulder
#53
LSD
USN #54
IU
#38
LSD
USN #49
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
Indiana University - Bloomington logo
IU
Bloomington, Indiana
USN Rank
#54
#49
LSD Rank
Top 75 (0.006)
#38 (0.011)
LSAT 25th
161
158
LSAT Median
164
164
LSAT 75th
167
166
GPA Median
3.81
3.91
Acceptance Rate
27.6%
35.8%
Class Size
199
186
Yield Rate
20.3%
28.4%

Financial

Sticker price and scholarship aid
2025 ABA 509
Metric
University of Colorado—Boulder logo
CUBoulder
Boulder, Colorado
Indiana University - Bloomington logo
IU
Bloomington, Indiana
Tuition (In-State)
$35,992
$36,950
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$44,002
$58,000
Median Grant
$15,000
$33,000
% Receiving Grants
87.0%
100.0%

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2025 ABA Employment
Metric
University of Colorado—Boulder logo
CUBoulder
Boulder, Colorado
Indiana University - Bloomington logo
IU
Bloomington, Indiana
BigLaw (501+)
14.0%
16.5%
Federal Clerkships
0.6%
4.3%
State & Local Clerkships
13.4%
7.3%
Median Salary (Private)
-
-
Employment Rate
98.1%
91.5%
Bar Pass Rate
90.4%
87.4%

Overview

About CUBoulder vs IU

Across 18 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 28% enrolled at University of Colorado—Boulder and 72% at Indiana University - Bloomington.

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 Indiana University - Bloomington across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes using official ABA 509 disclosures.

In the U.S. News rankings, Indiana University - Bloomington is ranked #49 compared to #54 — a gap of 5 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

University of Colorado—Boulder is located in Boulder, Colorado, while Indiana University - Bloomington is in Bloomington, Indiana. Regional placement matters: graduates tend to find employment near their law school, so location should factor into your decision alongside rankings and cost.

Among cross-admitted applicants who enrolled, those choosing Indiana University - Bloomington reported a higher median scholarship — $174,000 versus $51,518 over three years — though aid is one of several factors behind the enrollment decision.