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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 Kentucky logo Chose UKentucky
27%
Chose Cincinnati University of Cincinnati logo
73%

Median scholarship (chose UKentucky)

$63,000 / yr

Median scholarship (chose Cincinnati)

$51,000 / yr
View all-time (28 cross-admits)
39% chose UKentucky 61% chose Cincinnati
Rank summary
UKentucky
#89
LSD
USN #70
Cincinnati
#63
LSD
USN #82
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 Kentucky logo
UKentucky
Lexington, Kentucky
University of Cincinnati logo
Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio
USN Rank
#70
#82
LSD Rank
75+ (0.002)
Top 75 (0.005)
LSAT 25th
156
156
LSAT Median
159
159
LSAT 75th
162
161
GPA Median
3.72
3.80
Acceptance Rate
40.8%
32.7%
Class Size
147
139
Yield Rate
28.4%
30.5%

Financial

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

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2025 ABA Employment
Metric
University of Kentucky logo
UKentucky
Lexington, Kentucky
University of Cincinnati logo
Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio
BigLaw (501+)
1.7%
11.0%
Judicial Clerkships
15.7%
2.4%
Median Salary (Private)
-
-
Employment Rate
93.0%
91.3%
Bar Pass Rate
83.1%
85.6%

Overview

About UKentucky vs Cincinnati

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

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

This page compares University of Kentucky and University of Cincinnati 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 Kentucky is located in Lexington, Kentucky, while University of Cincinnati is in Cincinnati, Ohio. 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.