University of Iowa vs University of Wisconsin

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 29 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 29 applicants admitted to both schools, 62% 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 #28 compared to #36 — a gap of 8 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 93.8% (UofI) and 93.5% (UWisconsin), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants, University of Wisconsin offered a median scholarship of $138,000 compared to $110,291, a difference of $27,709 that may factor into enrollment decisions.