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Side-by-side comparison of admissions, costs, and outcomes
View all-time data (79 cross-admits)
79 total cross-admit decisions (all cycles)
ND is #17 · UMN is #24 in the LSD rankings
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About this comparison
This page compares University of Notre Dame and University of Minnesota across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 27 applicants admitted to both.
Based on 27 applicants admitted to both schools, 74% chose to attend University of Notre Dame. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.
Both schools are closely ranked in U.S. News: #20 and #20, separated by just 0 positions, making cross-admit data especially useful for deciding between them.
University of Notre Dame is significantly more selective, with an acceptance rate of 16.1% compared to University of Minnesota's 26.7%.
University of Notre Dame is located in South Bend, Indiana, 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.
Employment outcomes differ substantially: University of Notre Dame places 39.6% of graduates into large law firm positions, compared to 16.1% for the other school. This 24 percentage point gap is significant for applicants targeting BigLaw careers.
On cost, University of Minnesota has lower tuition at $51,440 per year compared to $73,430. Combined with employment rates of 95.2% (ND) and 95.2% (UMN), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.
Among cross-admitted applicants, University of Minnesota offered a median scholarship of $116,235 compared to $105,000, a difference of $11,235 that may factor into enrollment decisions.
Compare Another Pair
Admissions Comparison
2025 ABA 509How these schools compare on LSAT, GPA, selectivity, and class composition.
| Metric | ND | UMN |
|---|---|---|
| USN Rank | #20 | #20 |
| LSD Rank | #17 (0.099) ▲ | #24 (0.029) |
| LSAT 25th | 166 | 166 |
| LSAT Median | 170 | 171 ▲ |
| LSAT 75th | 171 | 173 ▲ |
| GPA Median | 3.89 ▲ | 3.88 |
| Acceptance Rate | 16.1% ▲ | 26.7% |
| Class Size | 185 | 228 |
| Yield Rate | 31.6% ▲ | 24.8% |
Financial Comparison
2025 ABA 509Tuition, scholarships, and debt burden at each school.
| Metric | ND | UMN |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition (In-State) | $73,430 | $51,440 ▲ |
| Tuition (Out-of-State) | $73,430 | $61,845 ▲ |
| Median Grant | $30,000 | $35,000 ▲ |
| % Receiving Grants | 92.0% | 94.0% ▲ |
| Avg. Debt at Graduation | - | - |
Employment Outcomes
2024 ABA 509Post-graduation employment placement, salaries, and bar passage.
| Metric | ND | UMN |
|---|---|---|
| BigLaw (501+) | 39.6% ▲ | 16.1% |
| Judicial Clerkships | 21.9% | 23.9% ▲ |
| Median Salary (Private) | $215,000 ▲ | $177,500 |
| Employment Rate | 95.2% | 95.2% |
| Bar Pass Rate | 92.2% | 94.1% ▲ |
Cross-Admit Decisions by Cycle
How cross-admit preferences have shifted over recent application cycles.
| Cycle | Split | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-2025 |
67%
|
6 |
| 2023-2024 |
80%
|
5 |
| 2022-2023 |
71%
|
7 |
| 2021-2022 |
75%
|
8 |
| 2009-2010 |
100%
|
5 |
| 2008-2009 |
100%
|
5 |
| 2007-2008 |
100%
|
5 |
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