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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 Wisconsin logo Chose UWisconsin
75%
Chose CUBoulder University of Colorado—Boulder logo
25%

Median scholarship (chose UWisconsin)

$109,998 / yr

Median scholarship (chose CUBoulder)

$51,500 / yr
View all-time (32 cross-admits)
59% chose UWisconsin 41% chose CUBoulder

Trend · UWisconsin's share

2021–2024

Lowest cycle

86%

Highest cycle

100%
2 cycles
100 50 0 21 24 2021: 86% 2024: 100%
UWisconsin #29 · CUBoulder #53 LSD n≈6/yr

Admissions

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

Financial

Sticker price, scholarships, and debt burden
2025 ABA 509
Metric
University of Wisconsin logo
UWisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin
University of Colorado—Boulder logo
CUBoulder
Boulder, Colorado
Tuition (In-State)
$36,526
$35,992
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$53,640
$44,002
Median Grant
$35,000
$15,000
% Receiving Grants
94.0%
87.0%
Avg. Debt at Graduation
-
-

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2024 ABA Employment
Metric
University of Wisconsin logo
UWisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin
University of Colorado—Boulder logo
CUBoulder
Boulder, Colorado
BigLaw (501+)
12.5%
18.5%
Judicial Clerkships
5.7%
18.5%
Median Salary (Private)
-
$137,500
Employment Rate
93.5%
89.9%
Bar Pass Rate
80.0%
90.4%

Overview

About UWisconsin vs CUBoulder

Across 20 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 75% enrolled at University of Wisconsin and 25% at University of Colorado—Boulder. 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 Wisconsin and University of Colorado—Boulder 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 Wisconsin is located in Madison, Wisconsin, 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.

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.