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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 (29 cross-admits)
29 total cross-admit decisions (all cycles)
IU is #36 · Cincinnati is Top 75 in the LSD rankings
See full LSD.Law school rankings →About this comparison
This page compares Indiana University - Bloomington and University of Cincinnati across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes using official ABA 509 disclosures.
In the U.S. News rankings, Indiana University - Bloomington is ranked #46 compared to #71 — a gap of 25 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.
There is a meaningful difference in admissions competitiveness: Indiana University - Bloomington has a median LSAT of 164 compared to 159, a gap of 5 points. This suggests applicants to Indiana University - Bloomington face a more competitive admissions pool.
Indiana University - Bloomington is located in Bloomington, Indiana, while University of Cincinnati is in Cincinnati, Ohio. 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: Indiana University - Bloomington places 17.2% of graduates into large law firm positions, compared to 6.2% for the other school. This 11 percentage point gap is significant for applicants targeting BigLaw careers.
On cost, University of Cincinnati has lower tuition at $24,010 per year compared to $36,950. Combined with employment rates of 91.9% (IU) and 88.5% (Cincinnati), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.
Among cross-admitted applicants, Indiana University - Bloomington offered a median scholarship of $90,000 compared to $62,700, a difference of $27,300 that may factor into enrollment decisions.
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Admissions Comparison
2025 ABA 509How these schools compare on LSAT, GPA, selectivity, and class composition.
| Metric | IU | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| USN Rank | #46 ▲ | #71 |
| LSD Rank | #36 (0.014) ▲ | Top 75 (0.007) |
| LSAT 25th | 158 ▲ | 156 |
| LSAT Median | 164 ▲ | 159 |
| LSAT 75th | 166 ▲ | 161 |
| GPA Median | 3.91 ▲ | 3.80 |
| Acceptance Rate | 35.8% | 32.7% ▲ |
| Class Size | 186 | 139 |
| Yield Rate | 28.4% | 30.5% ▲ |
Financial Comparison
2025 ABA 509Tuition, scholarships, and debt burden at each school.
| Metric | IU | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition (In-State) | $36,950 | $24,010 ▲ |
| Tuition (Out-of-State) | $58,000 | $29,010 ▲ |
| Median Grant | $33,000 ▲ | $19,000 |
| % Receiving Grants | 100.0% | 100.0% |
| Avg. Debt at Graduation | - | - |
Employment Outcomes
2024 ABA 509Post-graduation employment placement, salaries, and bar passage.
| Metric | IU | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| BigLaw (501+) | 17.2% ▲ | 6.2% |
| Judicial Clerkships | 12.1% ▲ | 6.2% |
| Median Salary (Private) | $100,000 ▲ | $71,000 |
| Employment Rate | 91.9% ▲ | 88.5% |
| Bar Pass Rate | 87.4% ▲ | 85.6% |
Cross-Admit Decisions by Cycle
How cross-admit preferences have shifted over recent application cycles.
| Cycle | Split | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-2025 |
83%
|
6 |
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