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Head-to-head · 15 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 53% chose UofI. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 15 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.

15
cross-admits

Cross-admit decision

Of 15 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
University of Iowa logo Chose UofI
53%
Chose Mizzou University of Missouri logo
47%

Median scholarship (chose UofI)

$100,000 / yr

Median scholarship (chose Mizzou)

$78,000 / yr
View all-time (27 cross-admits)
63% chose UofI 37% chose Mizzou
Rank summary
UofI
#38
LSD
USN #32
Mizzou
#44
LSD
USN #59
LSD rank reflects where admitted applicants actually enroll. USN ranks come from US News.

Admissions

Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield
2025 ABA 509
Metric
University of Iowa logo
UofI
Iowa City, Iowa
University of Missouri logo
Mizzou
Columbia, Missouri
USN Rank
#32
#59
LSD Rank
#38 (0.011)
#44 (0.010)
LSAT 25th
161
156
LSAT Median
164
161
LSAT 75th
165
162
GPA Median
3.78
3.72
Acceptance Rate
44.3%
42.0%
Class Size
159
129
Yield Rate
28.2%
37.3%

Financial

Sticker price, scholarships, and debt burden
2025 ABA 509
Metric
University of Iowa logo
UofI
Iowa City, Iowa
University of Missouri logo
Mizzou
Columbia, Missouri
Tuition (In-State)
$30,944
-
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$52,191
-
Median Grant
$30,043
$17,500
% Receiving Grants
77.0%
79.0%
Avg. Debt at Graduation
-
-

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2024 ABA Employment
Metric
University of Iowa logo
UofI
Iowa City, Iowa
University of Missouri logo
Mizzou
Columbia, Missouri
BigLaw (501+)
15.9%
10.6%
Judicial Clerkships
17.0%
10.6%
Median Salary (Private)
$160,000
$84,000
Employment Rate
93.8%
93.9%
Bar Pass Rate
91.0%
83.3%

Overview

About UofI vs Mizzou

Across 15 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 53% enrolled at University of Iowa and 47% at University of Missouri.

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

This page compares University of Iowa and University of Missouri across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes using official ABA 509 disclosures.

In the U.S. News rankings, University of Iowa is ranked #32 compared to #59 — a gap of 27 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, Iowa, while University of Missouri is in Columbia, Missouri. 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 Missouri has lower tuition at - per year compared to $30,944. Combined with employment rates of 93.8% (UofI) and 93.9% (Mizzou), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants, University of Iowa offered a median scholarship of $100,000 compared to $78,000, a difference of $22,000 that may factor into enrollment decisions.