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Head-to-head · 20 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 60% chose UMN. 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
+13pt
YoY shift

Cross-admit decision

Of 20 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
University of Minnesota logo Chose UMN
60%
Chose Emory University Emory University logo
40%

Median scholarship (chose UMN)

$105,000 / yr

Median scholarship (chose Emory University)

$123,000 / yr
View all-time (43 cross-admits)
56% chose UMN 44% chose Emory University

Trend · UMN's share

2021–2023

Lowest cycle

67%

Highest cycle

80%
2 cycles
100 50 0 21 23 2021: 67% 2023: 80%
UMN #24 · Emory University #32 LSD n≈5/yr

Admissions

Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield
2025 ABA 509
Metric
University of Minnesota logo
UMN
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Emory University logo
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia
USN Rank
#22
#40
LSD Rank
#24 (0.030)
#32 (0.015)
LSAT 25th
166
162
LSAT Median
171
166
LSAT 75th
173
168
GPA Median
3.88
3.82
Acceptance Rate
26.7%
30.1%
Class Size
228
391
Yield Rate
24.8%
33.0%

Financial

Sticker price, scholarships, and debt burden
2025 ABA 509
Metric
University of Minnesota logo
UMN
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Emory University logo
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia
Tuition (In-State)
$51,440
$69,510
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$61,845
$69,510
Median Grant
$35,000
$36,000
% Receiving Grants
94.0%
98.0%
Avg. Debt at Graduation
-
-

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2024 ABA Employment
Metric
University of Minnesota logo
UMN
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Emory University logo
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia
BigLaw (501+)
16.1%
33.7%
Judicial Clerkships
23.9%
6.2%
Median Salary (Private)
$177,500
$202,500
Employment Rate
95.2%
92.0%
Bar Pass Rate
94.1%
88.4%

Overview

About UMN vs Emory University

Across 20 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 60% enrolled at University of Minnesota and 40% at Emory University. The split has shifted +13 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 Minnesota and Emory University 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, 60% 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 #40 — a gap of 18 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 166, a gap of 5 points. This suggests applicants to University of Minnesota face a more competitive admissions pool.

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

Employment outcomes differ substantially: Emory University places 33.7% of graduates into large law firm positions, compared to 16.1% for the other school. This 18 percentage point gap is significant for applicants targeting BigLaw careers.

On cost, University of Minnesota has lower tuition at $51,440 per year compared to $69,510. Combined with employment rates of 95.2% (UMN) and 92.0% (Emory University), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants, Emory University offered a median scholarship of $123,000 compared to $105,000, a difference of $18,000 that may factor into enrollment decisions.