Hate ads? Verify for LSD+ → Learn More

Follow @lawschooldata on TikTok & Instagram

Head-to-head · 18 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 78% chose Utah. 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
2
cycles
+33pt
YoY shift

Cross-admit decision

Of 18 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
University of Utah logo Chose Utah
78%
Chose CUBoulder University of Colorado—Boulder logo
22%

Typical aid · ABA 509 · 2025

per year
$28,410
91.0% get a grant
$6,311 net tuition
$15,000
87.0% get a grant
$20,992 net tuition

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

$94,750
n = 14
n < 5
View all-time (27 cross-admits)
63% chose Utah 37% chose CUBoulder

Trend · Utah's share

2023–2025

Lowest cycle

67%

Highest cycle

100%
2 cycles
100 50 0 23 25 2023: 67% 2025: 100%
Utah #34 · CUBoulder #54 LSD n≈6/yr

Admissions

Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield
2025 ABA 509
Metric
University of Utah logo
Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah
University of Colorado—Boulder logo
CUBoulder
Boulder, Colorado
USN Rank
#44
#54
LSD Rank
#34 (0.013)
Top 75 (0.006)
LSAT 25th
162
161
LSAT Median
166
164
LSAT 75th
168
167
GPA Median
3.87
3.81
Acceptance Rate
25.3%
27.6%
Class Size
107
199
Yield Rate
28.0%
20.3%

Financial

Sticker price and scholarship aid
2025 ABA 509
Metric
University of Utah logo
Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah
University of Colorado—Boulder logo
CUBoulder
Boulder, Colorado
Tuition (In-State)
$34,721
$35,992
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$45,382
$44,002
Median Grant
$28,410
$15,000
% Receiving Grants
91.0%
87.0%

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2025 ABA Employment
Metric
University of Utah logo
Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah
University of Colorado—Boulder logo
CUBoulder
Boulder, Colorado
BigLaw (501+)
4.3%
14.0%
Federal Clerkships
0.0%
0.6%
State & Local Clerkships
9.7%
13.4%
Median Salary (Private)
-
-
Employment Rate
96.8%
98.1%
Bar Pass Rate
94.7%
90.4%

Overview

About Utah vs CUBoulder

Across 18 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 78% enrolled at University of Utah and 22% at University of Colorado—Boulder. The split has shifted +33 points across the tracked cycles.

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 Utah and CUBoulder? Work with a consultant who knows both — backed by this exact data.
Join waitlist →

Compare another pair

vs
Detailed comparison narrative

This page compares University of Utah and University of Colorado—Boulder across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes using official ABA 509 disclosures.

In the U.S. News rankings, University of Utah is ranked #44 compared to #54 — a gap of 10 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

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