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University of Iowa logo

University of Iowa vs University of Nebraska

University of Nebraska logo

Side-by-side comparison of admissions, costs, and outcomes

Cross-Admit Decision Data

Of 13 applicants admitted to both schools:

85%
15%
Median scholarship: $110,000 Median scholarship: $110,610

Based on 13 self-reported cross-admit decisions from the last 5 cycles

View all-time data (23 cross-admits)
91% chose UofI 9% chose UNL

23 total cross-admit decisions (all cycles)

UofI is #38 · UNL is 75+ in the LSD rankings

See full LSD.Law school rankings →

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About this comparison

This page compares University of Iowa and University of Nebraska 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 #62 — a gap of 30 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

There is a meaningful difference in admissions competitiveness: University of Iowa has a median LSAT of 164 compared to 160, a gap of 4 points. This suggests applicants to University of Iowa face a more competitive admissions pool.

University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, Iowa, while University of Nebraska is in Lincoln, Nebraska. 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: University of Iowa places 15.9% of graduates into large law firm positions, compared to 5.2% for the other school. This 11 percentage point gap is significant for applicants targeting BigLaw careers.

On cost, University of Nebraska has lower tuition at - per year compared to $30,944. Combined with employment rates of 93.8% (UofI) and 92.8% (UNL), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Compare Another Pair

University of Iowa
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University of Nebraska

Admissions Comparison

2025 ABA 509

How these schools compare on LSAT, GPA, selectivity, and class composition.

Metric UofI UNL
USN Rank #32 #62
LSD Rank #38 (0.011) 75+ (0.004)
LSAT 25th 161 156
LSAT Median 164 160
LSAT 75th 165 162
GPA Median 3.78 3.81
Acceptance Rate 44.3% 40.1%
Class Size 159 154
Yield Rate 28.2% 34.5%

Financial Comparison

2025 ABA 509

Tuition, scholarships, and debt burden at each school.

Metric UofI UNL
Tuition (In-State) $30,944 -
Tuition (Out-of-State) $52,191 -
Median Grant $30,043 $20,000
% Receiving Grants 77.0% 85.0%
Avg. Debt at Graduation - -

Employment Outcomes

2024 ABA 509

Post-graduation employment placement, salaries, and bar passage.

Metric UofI UNL
BigLaw (501+) 15.9% 5.2%
Judicial Clerkships 17.0% 4.6%
Median Salary (Private) $160,000 -
Employment Rate 93.8% 92.8%
Bar Pass Rate 91.0% 90.5%

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