Atlanta's John Marshall Law School vs. Georgia State University: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
Both are Georgia law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Georgia State University is the more selective admit (median LSAT 160 vs 152); Georgia State University posts the higher first-time bar passage (89.95% vs 68.42%); Georgia State University is cheaper on sticker tuition ($16,162 vs $52,536); Georgia State University places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (92.8% vs 83.2%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Atlanta's John Marshall Law School | Georgia State University | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 152 | 160 | Georgia State University |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.13 | 3.64 | Georgia State University |
| Acceptance rate | 32.6% | 30.6% | Georgia State University |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $52,536 | $16,162 | Georgia State University |
| Non-resident tuition | $52,536 | $37,886 | Georgia State University |
| Median grant | $4,500 | $7,776 | Georgia State University |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 68.42% | 89.95% | Georgia State University |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 92.45% | 94.71% | Georgia State University |
| Bar passage vs. state average | -11.8 pts | +10.1 pts | Georgia State University |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 83.2% | 92.8% | Georgia State University |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 3% | 20% | Georgia State University |
| Federal clerkships | 0% | 0.5% | Georgia State University |
15-year trajectory
Full profiles & related
Atlanta's John Marshall Law School full profile · Georgia State University full profile · All Georgia law schools
FAQ
Is Atlanta's John Marshall Law School or Georgia State University harder to get into?
Georgia State University is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 160 against Atlanta's John Marshall Law School's 152.
Which is cheaper, Atlanta's John Marshall Law School or Georgia State University?
Georgia State University is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $16,162 versus Atlanta's John Marshall Law School's $52,536.
Which has better bar passage, Atlanta's John Marshall Law School or Georgia State University?
Georgia State University has the higher first-time bar passage, 89.95% against Atlanta's John Marshall Law School's 68.42%.
Which has better job outcomes, Atlanta's John Marshall Law School or Georgia State University?
Georgia State University places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (92.8% vs 83.2%).
Atlanta's John Marshall Law School vs Georgia State 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), Georgia State 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.