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Head-to-head · 14 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 79% chose UWisconsin. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 14 self-reported decisions and ABA 509 filings.

Choice, not ranking

These are decisions, not opinions. Scholarship offers, location, intended practice, and personal fit are all priced into the split.

14
cross-admits
5
cycles
+13pt
YoY shift

Cross-admit decision

Of 14 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
Marquette University logo Chose Marquette University
21%
Chose UWisconsin University of Wisconsin logo
79%

Typical aid · ABA 509 · 2025

per year
$23,000
94.0% get a grant
$28,970 net tuition
$35,000
94.0% get a grant
$1,526 net tuition

Cross-admits who enrolled · self-reported, 3-yr award

n < 5
$42,000
n = 7
View all-time (71 cross-admits)
11% chose Marquette University 89% chose UWisconsin

Trend · Marquette University's share

2007–2024

Lowest cycle

0%

Highest cycle

20%
5 cycles
100 50 0 07 08 09 20 24 2007: 0% 2008: 0% 2009: 0% 2020: 20% 2024: 13%
Marquette University #63 · UWisconsin #29 LSD n≈7/yr

Admissions

Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield
2025 ABA 509
Metric
Marquette University logo
Marquette University
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin logo
UWisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin
USN Rank
#59
#26
LSD Rank
Top 75 (0.005)
#29 (0.022)
LSAT 25th
156
161
LSAT Median
158
167
LSAT 75th
160
169
GPA Median
3.70
3.81
Acceptance Rate
22.1%
19.1%
Class Size
218
224
Yield Rate
46.7%
46.4%

Financial

Sticker price and scholarship aid
2025 ABA 509
Metric
Marquette University logo
Marquette University
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin logo
UWisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin
Tuition (In-State)
$51,970
$36,526
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$51,970
$53,640
Median Grant
$23,000
$35,000
% Receiving Grants
94.0%
94.0%

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2025 ABA Employment
Metric
Marquette University logo
Marquette University
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin logo
UWisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin
BigLaw (501+)
5.1%
12.9%
Federal Clerkships
0.6%
3.5%
State & Local Clerkships
0.6%
2.4%
Median Salary (Private)
-
-
Employment Rate
95.4%
96.1%
Bar Pass Rate
50.0%
80.0%

Overview

About Marquette University vs UWisconsin

Across 14 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 21% enrolled at Marquette University and 79% at University of Wisconsin. The split has shifted +13 points across the tracked cycles.

These numbers reflect every factor that goes into a real decision: scholarship offers, geographic preference, intended practice area, and fit. Choosing one school doesn't mean it's "better" — it means the pool of cross-admits, weighing their options, ended up there more often. Pair this with the scholarship distribution and employment outcomes above for full context.

Looking at a different matchup? Browse all comparisons or run a custom pair from the index.

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Detailed comparison narrative

This page compares Marquette University and University of Wisconsin across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes using official ABA 509 disclosures.

In the U.S. News rankings, University of Wisconsin is ranked #26 compared to #59 — a gap of 33 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

There is a meaningful difference in admissions competitiveness: University of Wisconsin has a median LSAT of 167 compared to 158, a gap of 9 points. This suggests applicants to University of Wisconsin face a more competitive admissions pool.

Both schools are located in Wisconsin — Marquette University in Milwaukee and University of Wisconsin in Madison — meaning graduates often compete in the same regional legal market.

On cost, University of Wisconsin has lower tuition at $36,526 per year compared to $51,970. Combined with employment rates of 95.4% (Marquette University) and 96.1% (UWisconsin), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.