Hate ads? Verify for LSD+ → Learn More

Follow @lawschooldata on TikTok & Instagram

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
Ohio State University logo Chose OSU
42%
Chose UMN University of Minnesota logo
58%

Median scholarship (chose OSU)

$106,938 / yr

Median scholarship (chose UMN)

$105,000 / yr
View all-time (45 cross-admits)
38% chose OSU 62% chose UMN

Trend · OSU's share

2021–2025

Lowest cycle

17%

Highest cycle

60%
5 cycles
100 50 0 21 22 23 24 25 2021: 60% 2022: 33% 2023: 17% 2024: 57% 2025: 50%
OSU #32 · UMN #24 LSD n≈6/yr

Admissions

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

Financial

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

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2025 ABA Employment
Metric
Ohio State University logo
OSU
Columbus , Ohio
University of Minnesota logo
UMN
Minneapolis, Minnesota
BigLaw (501+)
18.5%
17.6%
Judicial Clerkships
4.5%
26.1%
Median Salary (Private)
-
-
Employment Rate
93.0%
95.5%
Bar Pass Rate
92.0%
94.1%

Overview

About OSU vs UMN

Across 33 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 42% enrolled at Ohio State University and 58% at University of Minnesota. 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.

Deciding between OSU and UMN? Work with a consultant who knows both — backed by this exact data.
Join waitlist →

Compare another pair

vs
Detailed comparison narrative

This page compares Ohio State University and University of Minnesota 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.

Ohio State University is located in Columbus , Ohio, while University of Minnesota is in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 93.0% (OSU) and 95.5% (UMN), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.