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Head-to-head · 27 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 89% chose UMN. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 27 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.

27
cross-admits
4
cycles
+0pt
YoY shift

Cross-admit decision

Of 27 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
University of Colorado—Boulder logo Chose CUBoulder
11%
Chose UMN University of Minnesota logo
89%

Median scholarship (chose CUBoulder)

$55,000 / yr

Median scholarship (chose UMN)

$105,000 / yr
View all-time (56 cross-admits)
18% chose CUBoulder 82% chose UMN

Trend · CUBoulder's share

2020–2024

Lowest cycle

0%

Highest cycle

17%
4 cycles
100 50 0 20 21 22 24 2020: 17% 2021: 0% 2022: 13% 2024: 17%
CUBoulder #53 · UMN #24 LSD n≈6/yr

Admissions

Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield
2025 ABA 509
Metric
University of Colorado—Boulder logo
CUBoulder
Boulder, Colorado
University of Minnesota logo
UMN
Minneapolis, Minnesota
USN Rank
#54
#22
LSD Rank
Top 75 (0.006)
#24 (0.030)
LSAT 25th
161
166
LSAT Median
164
171
LSAT 75th
167
173
GPA Median
3.81
3.88
Acceptance Rate
27.6%
26.7%
Class Size
199
228
Yield Rate
20.3%
24.8%

Financial

Sticker price and scholarship aid
2025 ABA 509
Metric
University of Colorado—Boulder logo
CUBoulder
Boulder, Colorado
University of Minnesota logo
UMN
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Tuition (In-State)
$35,992
$51,440
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$44,002
$61,845
Median Grant
$15,000
$35,000
% Receiving Grants
87.0%
94.0%

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2025 ABA Employment
Metric
University of Colorado—Boulder logo
CUBoulder
Boulder, Colorado
University of Minnesota logo
UMN
Minneapolis, Minnesota
BigLaw (501+)
14.0%
17.6%
Judicial Clerkships
14.0%
26.1%
Median Salary (Private)
-
-
Employment Rate
98.1%
95.5%
Bar Pass Rate
90.4%
94.1%

Overview

About CUBoulder vs UMN

Across 27 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 11% enrolled at University of Colorado—Boulder and 89% at University of Minnesota.

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 CUBoulder and UMN? Work with a consultant who knows both — backed by this exact data.
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Detailed comparison narrative

This page compares University of Colorado—Boulder and University of Minnesota across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 27 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 27 applicants admitted to both schools, 89% chose to attend University of Minnesota. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.

In the U.S. News rankings, University of Minnesota is ranked #22 compared to #54 — a gap of 32 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

There is a meaningful difference in admissions competitiveness: University of Minnesota has a median LSAT of 171 compared to 164, a gap of 7 points. This suggests applicants to University of Minnesota face a more competitive admissions pool.

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

On cost, University of Colorado—Boulder has lower tuition at $35,992 per year compared to $51,440. Combined with employment rates of 98.1% (CUBoulder) and 95.5% (UMN), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants, University of Minnesota offered a median scholarship of $105,000 compared to $55,000, a difference of $50,000 that may factor into enrollment decisions.