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Head-to-head · 20 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 70% chose UTKnoxville. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 20 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.

20
cross-admits
3
cycles
-20pt
YoY shift

Cross-admit decision

Of 20 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
University of Tennessee logo Chose UTKnoxville
70%
Chose South Carolina University of South Carolina logo
30%

Typical aid · ABA 509 · 2025

per year
$10,550
89.0% get a grant
$6,146 net tuition
$12,562
90.0% get a grant
$7,760 net tuition

Cross-admits who enrolled · self-reported, 3-yr award

$51,000
n = 13
$72,843
n = 6
View all-time (38 cross-admits)
79% chose UTKnoxville 21% chose South Carolina

Trend · UTKnoxville's share

2022–2024

Lowest cycle

60%

Highest cycle

80%
3 cycles
100 50 0 22 23 24 2022: 80% 2023: 60% 2024: 60%
UTKnoxville #61 · South Carolina #69 LSD n≈5/yr

Admissions

Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield
2025 ABA 509
Metric
University of Tennessee logo
UTKnoxville
Knoxville, Tennessee
University of South Carolina logo
South Carolina
Columbia, South Carolina
USN Rank
#57
#62
LSD Rank
Top 75 (0.005)
Top 75 (0.004)
LSAT 25th
160
160
LSAT Median
164
162
LSAT 75th
166
164
GPA Median
3.89
3.67
Acceptance Rate
24.8%
29.9%
Class Size
140
221
Yield Rate
25.8%
34.0%

Financial

Sticker price and scholarship aid
2025 ABA 509
Metric
University of Tennessee logo
UTKnoxville
Knoxville, Tennessee
University of South Carolina logo
South Carolina
Columbia, South Carolina
Tuition (In-State)
$16,696
$20,322
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$35,140
$38,100
Median Grant
$10,550
$12,562
% Receiving Grants
89.0%
90.0%

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2025 ABA Employment
Metric
University of Tennessee logo
UTKnoxville
Knoxville, Tennessee
University of South Carolina logo
South Carolina
Columbia, South Carolina
BigLaw (501+)
9.7%
8.4%
Federal Clerkships
4.8%
1.6%
State & Local Clerkships
6.5%
20.0%
Median Salary (Private)
-
-
Employment Rate
92.7%
93.7%
Bar Pass Rate
91.9%
83.3%

Overview

About UTKnoxville vs South Carolina

Across 20 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 70% enrolled at University of Tennessee and 30% at University of South Carolina. The split has shifted -20 points across the tracked cycles.

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.

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Detailed comparison narrative

This page compares University of Tennessee and University of South Carolina across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 20 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 20 applicants admitted to both schools, 70% chose to attend University of Tennessee. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.

In the U.S. News rankings, University of Tennessee is ranked #57 compared to #62 — a gap of 5 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

University of Tennessee is located in Knoxville, Tennessee, while University of South Carolina is in Columbia, South Carolina. 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 who enrolled, those choosing University of South Carolina reported a higher median scholarship — $72,843 versus $51,000 over three years — though aid is one of several factors behind the enrollment decision.