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Head-to-head · 20 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 75% chose UWisconsin. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 20 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.

20
cross-admits
2
cycles
-14pt
YoY shift

Cross-admit decision

Of 20 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
University of Colorado—Boulder logo Chose CUBoulder
25%
Chose UWisconsin University of Wisconsin logo
75%

Median scholarship (chose CUBoulder)

$51,500 / yr

Median scholarship (chose UWisconsin)

$109,998 / yr
View all-time (32 cross-admits)
41% chose CUBoulder 59% chose UWisconsin

Trend · CUBoulder's share

2021–2024

Lowest cycle

0%

Highest cycle

14%
2 cycles
100 50 0 21 24 2021: 14% 2024: 0%
CUBoulder #53 · UWisconsin #29 LSD n≈6/yr

Admissions

Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield
2025 ABA 509
Metric
University of Colorado—Boulder logo
CUBoulder
Boulder, Colorado
University of Wisconsin logo
UWisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin
USN Rank
#54
#26
LSD Rank
Top 75 (0.006)
#29 (0.022)
LSAT 25th
161
161
LSAT Median
164
167
LSAT 75th
167
169
GPA Median
3.81
3.81
Acceptance Rate
27.6%
19.1%
Class Size
199
224
Yield Rate
20.3%
46.4%

Financial

Sticker price and scholarship aid
2025 ABA 509
Metric
University of Colorado—Boulder logo
CUBoulder
Boulder, Colorado
University of Wisconsin logo
UWisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin
Tuition (In-State)
$35,992
$36,526
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$44,002
$53,640
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 Wisconsin logo
UWisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin
BigLaw (501+)
14.0%
12.9%
Federal Clerkships
0.6%
3.5%
State & Local Clerkships
13.4%
2.4%
Median Salary (Private)
-
-
Employment Rate
98.1%
96.1%
Bar Pass Rate
90.4%
80.0%

Overview

About CUBoulder vs UWisconsin

Across 20 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 25% enrolled at University of Colorado—Boulder and 75% at University of Wisconsin. The split has shifted -14 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.

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Detailed comparison narrative

This page compares University of Colorado—Boulder and University of Wisconsin across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 20 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 20 applicants admitted to both schools, 75% chose to attend University of Wisconsin. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.

In the U.S. News rankings, University of Wisconsin is ranked #26 compared to #54 — a gap of 28 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

University of Colorado—Boulder is located in Boulder, Colorado, while University of Wisconsin is in Madison, Wisconsin. 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, University of Wisconsin offered a median scholarship of $109,998 compared to $51,500, a difference of $58,498 that may factor into enrollment decisions.