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Side-by-side comparison of admissions, costs, and outcomes
Cross-Admit Decision Data
Of 13 applicants admitted to both schools:
Based on 13 self-reported cross-admit decisions from the last 5 cycles
View all-time data (23 cross-admits)
23 total cross-admit decisions (all cycles)
UofI is #38 · UNL is 75+ in the LSD 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.
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Admissions Comparison
2025 ABA 509How 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 509Tuition, 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 509Post-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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