This page compares University of Iowa and University of Wisconsin across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 36 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 36 applicants admitted to both schools, 67% chose to attend University of Wisconsin. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.

In the U.S. News rankings, University of Wisconsin is ranked #26 compared to #32 — a gap of 6 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

University of Wisconsin is significantly more selective, with an acceptance rate of 19.1% compared to University of Iowa's 44.3%.

University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, Iowa, while University of Wisconsin is in Madison, Wisconsin. 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 $36,526. Combined with employment rates of 97.5% (UofI) and 96.1% (UWisconsin), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants who enrolled, those choosing University of Wisconsin reported a higher median scholarship — $143,000 versus $112,250 over three years — though aid is one of several factors behind the enrollment decision.