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Head-to-head · 33 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 58% chose UMN. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 33 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.

33
cross-admits
5
cycles
+10pt
YoY shift

Cross-admit decision

Of 33 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
University of Minnesota logo Chose UMN
58%
Chose OSU Ohio State University logo
42%

Median scholarship (chose UMN)

$105,000 / yr

Median scholarship (chose OSU)

$106,938 / yr
View all-time (45 cross-admits)
62% chose UMN 38% chose OSU

Trend · UMN's share

2021–2025

Lowest cycle

40%

Highest cycle

83%
5 cycles
100 50 0 21 22 23 24 25 2021: 40% 2022: 67% 2023: 83% 2024: 43% 2025: 50%
UMN #24 · OSU #32 LSD n≈6/yr

Admissions

Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield
2025 ABA 509
Metric
University of Minnesota logo
UMN
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Ohio State University logo
OSU
Columbus , Ohio
USN Rank
#22
#30
LSD Rank
#24 (0.030)
#32 (0.015)
LSAT 25th
166
163
LSAT Median
171
168
LSAT 75th
173
169
GPA Median
3.88
3.91
Acceptance Rate
26.7%
24.6%
Class Size
228
159
Yield Rate
24.8%
28.0%

Financial

Sticker price, scholarships, and debt burden
2025 ABA 509
Metric
University of Minnesota logo
UMN
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Ohio State University logo
OSU
Columbus , Ohio
Tuition (In-State)
$51,440
$35,650
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$61,845
$50,902
Median Grant
$35,000
$29,984
% Receiving Grants
94.0%
90.0%
Avg. Debt at Graduation
-
-

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2024 ABA Employment
Metric
University of Minnesota logo
UMN
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Ohio State University logo
OSU
Columbus , Ohio
BigLaw (501+)
16.1%
12.8%
Judicial Clerkships
23.9%
6.7%
Median Salary (Private)
$177,500
$105,000
Employment Rate
95.2%
94.4%
Bar Pass Rate
94.1%
92.0%

Overview

About UMN vs OSU

Across 33 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 58% enrolled at University of Minnesota and 42% at Ohio State University. The split has shifted +10 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 University of Minnesota and Ohio State University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 33 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 33 applicants admitted to both schools, 58% chose to attend University of Minnesota. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.

In the U.S. News rankings, University of Minnesota is ranked #22 compared to #30 — a gap of 8 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

University of Minnesota is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, while Ohio State University is in Columbus , Ohio. 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, Ohio State University has lower tuition at $35,650 per year compared to $51,440. Combined with employment rates of 95.2% (UMN) and 94.4% (OSU), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.