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Northern Kentucky University vs University of Kentucky
Side-by-side comparison of admissions, costs, and outcomes
Cross-Admit Decision Data
Of 11 applicants admitted to both schools:
Based on 11 self-reported cross-admit decisions from the last 5 cycles
View all-time data (23 cross-admits)
23 total cross-admit decisions (all cycles)
Northern Kentucky is 150+ · UKentucky is Top 100 in the LSD rankings
See full LSD.Law school rankings →About this comparison
This page compares Northern Kentucky University and University of Kentucky across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes using official ABA 509 disclosures.
In the U.S. News rankings, University of Kentucky is ranked #68 compared to #134 — a gap of 66 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.
There is a meaningful difference in admissions competitiveness: University of Kentucky has a median LSAT of 159 compared to 154, a gap of 5 points. This suggests applicants to University of Kentucky face a more competitive admissions pool.
Both schools are located in Kentucky — Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights and University of Kentucky in Lexington — meaning graduates often compete in the same regional legal market.
Among cross-admitted applicants, Northern Kentucky University offered a median scholarship of $54,000 compared to $16,500, a difference of $37,500 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 | Northern Kentucky | UKentucky |
|---|---|---|
| USN Rank | #134 | #68 ▲ |
| LSD Rank | 150+ (0.001) | Top 100 (0.004) ▲ |
| LSAT 25th | 152 | 156 ▲ |
| LSAT Median | 154 | 159 ▲ |
| LSAT 75th | 157 | 162 ▲ |
| GPA Median | 3.41 | 3.72 ▲ |
| Acceptance Rate | 58.7% | 40.8% ▲ |
| Class Size | 155 | 147 |
| Yield Rate | 38.7% ▲ | 28.4% |
Financial Comparison
2025 ABA 509Tuition, scholarships, and debt burden at each school.
| Metric | Northern Kentucky | UKentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition (In-State) | $24,388 ▲ | $25,685 |
| Tuition (Out-of-State) | $38,454 ▲ | $49,836 |
| Median Grant | $18,000 ▲ | $11,000 |
| % Receiving Grants | 58.0% | 98.0% ▲ |
| Avg. Debt at Graduation | - | - |
Employment Outcomes
2024 ABA 509Post-graduation employment placement, salaries, and bar passage.
| Metric | Northern Kentucky | UKentucky |
|---|---|---|
| BigLaw (501+) | 6.5% | 6.5% |
| Judicial Clerkships | 4.8% | 15.1% ▲ |
| Median Salary (Private) | $70,000 | $85,000 ▲ |
| Employment Rate | 90.3% | 97.8% ▲ |
| Bar Pass Rate | 73.8% | 83.1% ▲ |
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