University of Michigan vs University of Utah

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

In the U.S. News rankings, University of Michigan is ranked #8 compared to #31 — a gap of 23 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

There is a meaningful difference in admissions competitiveness: University of Michigan has a median LSAT of 171 compared to 166, a gap of 5 points. This suggests applicants to University of Michigan face a more competitive admissions pool.

University of Michigan is significantly more selective, with an acceptance rate of 8.6% compared to University of Utah's 25.3%.

University of Michigan is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, while University of Utah is in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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: University of Michigan places 50.3% of graduates into large law firm positions, compared to 8.4% for the other school. This 42 percentage point gap is significant for applicants targeting BigLaw careers.

On cost, University of Utah has lower tuition at $34,721 per year compared to $76,108. Combined with employment rates of 95.0% (UMich) and 92.6% (Utah), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants, University of Utah offered a median scholarship of $108,750 compared to $97,500, a difference of $11,250 that may factor into enrollment decisions.