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Head-to-head · 15 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 73% chose Cincinnati. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 15 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.

15
cross-admits

Cross-admit decision

Of 15 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
University of Cincinnati logo Chose Cincinnati
73%
Chose UKentucky University of Kentucky logo
27%

Median scholarship (chose Cincinnati)

$51,000 / yr

Median scholarship (chose UKentucky)

$63,000 / yr
View all-time (28 cross-admits)
61% chose Cincinnati 39% chose UKentucky
Rank summary
Cincinnati
#63
LSD
USN #82
UKentucky
#89
LSD
USN #70
LSD rank reflects where admitted applicants actually enroll. USN ranks come from US News.

Admissions

Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield
2025 ABA 509
Metric
University of Cincinnati logo
Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio
University of Kentucky logo
UKentucky
Lexington, Kentucky
USN Rank
#82
#70
LSD Rank
Top 75 (0.005)
75+ (0.002)
LSAT 25th
156
156
LSAT Median
159
159
LSAT 75th
161
162
GPA Median
3.80
3.72
Acceptance Rate
32.7%
40.8%
Class Size
139
147
Yield Rate
30.5%
28.4%

Financial

Sticker price, scholarships, and debt burden
2025 ABA 509
Metric
University of Cincinnati logo
Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio
University of Kentucky logo
UKentucky
Lexington, Kentucky
Tuition (In-State)
$24,010
$25,685
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$29,010
$49,836
Median Grant
$19,000
$11,000
% Receiving Grants
100.0%
98.0%
Avg. Debt at Graduation
-
-

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2024 ABA Employment
Metric
University of Cincinnati logo
Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio
University of Kentucky logo
UKentucky
Lexington, Kentucky
BigLaw (501+)
6.2%
6.5%
Judicial Clerkships
6.2%
15.1%
Median Salary (Private)
$71,000
$85,000
Employment Rate
88.5%
97.8%
Bar Pass Rate
85.6%
83.1%

Overview

About Cincinnati vs UKentucky

Across 15 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 73% enrolled at University of Cincinnati and 27% 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.

Looking at a different matchup? Browse all comparisons or run a custom pair from the index.

Deciding between Cincinnati and UKentucky? Work with a consultant who knows both — backed by this exact data.
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Detailed comparison narrative

This page compares University of Cincinnati 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 #82 — a gap of 12 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

University of Cincinnati is located in Cincinnati, Ohio, while University of Kentucky is in Lexington, Kentucky. Regional placement matters: graduates tend to find employment near their law school, so location should factor into your decision alongside rankings and cost.

Among cross-admitted applicants, University of Kentucky offered a median scholarship of $63,000 compared to $51,000, a difference of $12,000 that may factor into enrollment decisions.