Atlanta's John Marshall Law School vs. Emory University: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
Both are Georgia law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Emory University is the more selective admit (median LSAT 166 vs 152); Emory University posts the higher first-time bar passage (88.36% vs 68.42%); Atlanta's John Marshall Law School is cheaper on sticker tuition ($52,536 vs $69,510); Emory University places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (91.1% vs 83.2%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Atlanta's John Marshall Law School | Emory University | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 152 | 166 | Emory University |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.13 | 3.82 | Emory University |
| Acceptance rate | 32.6% | 30.09% | Emory University |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $52,536 | $69,510 | Atlanta's John Marshall Law School |
| Non-resident tuition | $52,536 | $69,510 | Atlanta's John Marshall Law School |
| Median grant | $4,500 | $36,000 | Emory University |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 68.42% | 88.36% | Emory University |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 92.45% | 95.4% | Emory University |
| Bar passage vs. state average | -11.8 pts | +7.9 pts | Emory University |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 83.2% | 91.1% | Emory University |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 3% | 35.3% | Emory University |
| Federal clerkships | 0% | 3.6% | Emory University |
15-year trajectory
Full profiles & related
Atlanta's John Marshall Law School full profile · Emory University full profile · All Georgia law schools
FAQ
Is Atlanta's John Marshall Law School or Emory University harder to get into?
Emory University is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 166 against Atlanta's John Marshall Law School's 152.
Which is cheaper, Atlanta's John Marshall Law School or Emory University?
Atlanta's John Marshall Law School is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $52,536 versus Emory University's $69,510.
Which has better bar passage, Atlanta's John Marshall Law School or Emory University?
Emory University has the higher first-time bar passage, 88.36% against Atlanta's John Marshall Law School's 68.42%.
Which has better job outcomes, Atlanta's John Marshall Law School or Emory University?
Emory University places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (91.1% vs 83.2%).
Atlanta's John Marshall Law School vs Emory University: 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), Emory University 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.