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Head-to-head · 26 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 69% chose OSU. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 26 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.

26
cross-admits
5
cycles
+57pt
YoY shift

Cross-admit decision

Of 26 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
Ohio State University logo Chose OSU
69%
Chose IU Indiana University - Bloomington logo
31%

Median scholarship (chose OSU)

$75,000 / yr

Median scholarship (chose IU)

$174,000 / yr
View all-time (69 cross-admits)
57% chose OSU 43% chose IU

Trend · OSU's share

2009–2025

Lowest cycle

40%

Highest cycle

100%
5 cycles
100 50 0 09 18 22 24 25 2009: 43% 2018: 40% 2022: 71% 2024: 80% 2025: 100%
OSU #32 · IU #38 LSD n≈6/yr

Admissions

Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield
2025 ABA 509
Metric
Ohio State University logo
OSU
Columbus , Ohio
Indiana University - Bloomington logo
IU
Bloomington, Indiana
USN Rank
#30
#49
LSD Rank
#32 (0.015)
#38 (0.011)
LSAT 25th
163
158
LSAT Median
168
164
LSAT 75th
169
166
GPA Median
3.91
3.91
Acceptance Rate
24.6%
35.8%
Class Size
159
186
Yield Rate
28.0%
28.4%

Financial

Sticker price, scholarships, and debt burden
2025 ABA 509
Metric
Ohio State University logo
OSU
Columbus , Ohio
Indiana University - Bloomington logo
IU
Bloomington, Indiana
Tuition (In-State)
$35,650
$36,950
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$50,902
$58,000
Median Grant
$29,984
$33,000
% Receiving Grants
90.0%
100.0%
Avg. Debt at Graduation
-
-

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2024 ABA Employment
Metric
Ohio State University logo
OSU
Columbus , Ohio
Indiana University - Bloomington logo
IU
Bloomington, Indiana
BigLaw (501+)
12.8%
17.2%
Judicial Clerkships
6.7%
12.1%
Median Salary (Private)
$105,000
$100,000
Employment Rate
94.4%
91.9%
Bar Pass Rate
92.0%
87.4%

Overview

About OSU vs IU

Across 26 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 69% enrolled at Ohio State University and 31% at Indiana University - Bloomington. The split has shifted +57 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.

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Detailed comparison narrative

This page compares Ohio State University and Indiana University - Bloomington across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 26 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 26 applicants admitted to both schools, 69% chose to attend Ohio State University. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.

In the U.S. News rankings, Ohio State University is ranked #30 compared to #49 — a gap of 19 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

There is a meaningful difference in admissions competitiveness: Ohio State University has a median LSAT of 168 compared to 164, a gap of 4 points. This suggests applicants to Ohio State University face a more competitive admissions pool.

Ohio State University is located in Columbus , Ohio, while Indiana University - Bloomington is in Bloomington, Indiana. Regional placement matters: graduates tend to find employment near their law school, so location should factor into your decision alongside rankings and cost.

Among cross-admitted applicants, Indiana University - Bloomington offered a median scholarship of $174,000 compared to $75,000, a difference of $99,000 that may factor into enrollment decisions.