University of Iowa vs University of Minnesota

This page compares University of Iowa and University of Minnesota across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 50 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 50 applicants admitted to both schools, 70% 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 #20 compared to #36 — a gap of 16 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 164, a gap of 7 points. This suggests applicants to University of Minnesota face a more competitive admissions pool.

University of Minnesota is significantly more selective, with an acceptance rate of 26.7% compared to University of Iowa's 44.3%.

University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, Iowa, while University of Minnesota is in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 Iowa has lower tuition at $30,944 per year compared to $51,440. Combined with employment rates of 93.8% (UofI) and 95.2% (UMN), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants, University of Iowa offered a median scholarship of $104,066 compared to $75,000, a difference of $29,066 that may factor into enrollment decisions.