Head-to-head · 11 cross-admits
When applicants got into both, 91% chose UKentucky. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 11 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.
Cross-admit decision
Chose Northern Kentucky
Median scholarship (chose Northern Kentucky)
Median scholarship (chose UKentucky)
View all-time (24 cross-admits)
Admissions
Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield 2025 ABA 509
Financial
Sticker price and scholarship aid 2025 ABA 509
Employment & outcomes
Post-graduation placement and bar passage 2025 ABA Employment
Related comparisons
Other popular cross-admit matchups
University of Kentucky
11
Overview
About Northern Kentucky vs UKentucky
Across 11 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 9% enrolled at Northern Kentucky University and 91% at University of Kentucky.
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.
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Detailed comparison narrative
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 #70 compared to #131 — a gap of 61 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 $49,500 compared to $15,000, a difference of $34,500 that may factor into enrollment decisions.
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