Head-to-head · 17 cross-admits
When applicants got into both, 59% chose OSU. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 17 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.
Cross-admit decision
Chose OSU
Typical aid · ABA 509 · 2025
per yearCross-admits who enrolled · self-reported, 3-yr award
View all-time (44 cross-admits)
Trend · OSU's share
Lowest cycle
Highest cycle
Admissions
Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield 2025 ABA 509
Financial
Sticker price and scholarship aid 2025 ABA 509
Employment & outcomes
Post-graduation placement and bar passage 2025 ABA Employment
Cross-admit by cycle
How preferences shifted over recent cyclesRelated comparisons
Other popular cross-admit matchups
Overview
About OSU vs UofI
Across 17 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 59% enrolled at Ohio State University and 41% at University of Iowa. The split has shifted +52 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.
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Detailed comparison narrative
This page compares Ohio State University and University of Iowa across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes using official ABA 509 disclosures.
Both schools are closely ranked in U.S. News: #30 and #32, separated by just 2 positions, making cross-admit data especially useful for deciding between them.
There is a meaningful difference in admissions competitiveness: Ohio State University has a median LSAT of 168 compared to 164, a gap of 4 points. This suggests applicants to Ohio State University face a more competitive admissions pool.
Ohio State University is significantly more selective, with an acceptance rate of 24.6% compared to University of Iowa's 44.3%.
Ohio State University is located in Columbus , Ohio, while University of Iowa is in Iowa City, Iowa. 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 who enrolled, those choosing University of Iowa reported a higher median scholarship — $112,404 versus $99,966 over three years — though aid is one of several factors behind the enrollment decision.
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