University of Alabama vs. Wisconsin: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared

On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, University of Alabama posts the higher first-time bar passage (91.39% vs 80%); University of Alabama is cheaper on sticker tuition ($24,980 vs $36,526); University of Alabama places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (99.3% vs 95.3%).

Side by side (ABA Standard 509)

MetricUniversity of AlabamaWisconsinBetter
Admissions
Median LSAT167167Tie
Median undergraduate GPA3.973.81University of Alabama
Acceptance rate25.6%19.1%Wisconsin
Cost
Resident tuition$24,980$36,526University of Alabama
Non-resident tuition$48,100$53,640University of Alabama
Median grant$21,500$35,000Wisconsin
Bar passage
First-time bar passage91.39%80%University of Alabama
Two-year ultimate bar passage95.42%85.71%University of Alabama
Bar passage vs. state average+10.9 pts+1.3 ptsUniversity of Alabama
Employment
Full-time, long-term JD employment99.3%95.3%University of Alabama
Large-firm (250+) employment26%19.2%University of Alabama
Federal clerkships12.3%3.5%University of Alabama

15-year trajectory

First-time bar passage: 95.31% in 2011 to 91.39% in 202585%90%95%100%111315182022242591.39%
First-time bar passage · 2011–2025
University of Alabama — First-time bar passage
First-time bar passage: 99.21% in 2011 to 80% in 202570%80%90%100%110%111315182022242580%
First-time bar passage · 2011–2025
Wisconsin — First-time bar passage
Resident tuition: $18,030 in 2011 to $24,980 in 2025$16,000$18,000$20,000$22,000$24,000$26,0001113151719212325$24,980
Resident tuition · 2011–2025
University of Alabama — Resident tuition
Resident tuition: $19,683 in 2011 to $36,526 in 2025$15,000$20,000$25,000$30,000$35,000$40,0001113151719212325$36,526
Resident tuition · 2011–2025
Wisconsin — Resident tuition

Full profiles & related

FAQ

Which is cheaper, University of Alabama or Wisconsin?

University of Alabama is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $24,980 versus Wisconsin's $36,526.

Which has better bar passage, University of Alabama or Wisconsin?

University of Alabama has the higher first-time bar passage, 91.39% against Wisconsin's 80%.

Which has better job outcomes, University of Alabama or Wisconsin?

University of Alabama places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (99.3% vs 95.3%).

University of Alabama vs Wisconsin: which is better?

It depends on what you weigh — the table above shows where each wins. Across the four headline measures (selectivity, sticker cost, first-time bar passage, and JD employment), University of Alabama leads on more of them, but read the row that matters most to you rather than the count.

Source: ABA Standard 509 Required Disclosures, most recent reported cycle. Last updated June 26, 2026.

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