Atlanta's John Marshall Law School vs. Mercer University: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
Both are Georgia law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Mercer University is the more selective admit (median LSAT 157 vs 152); Mercer University posts the higher first-time bar passage (84.0% vs 68.4%); Mercer University is cheaper on sticker tuition ($44,782 vs $52,536); Mercer University places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (93.0% vs 83.2%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Atlanta's John Marshall Law School | Mercer University | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 152 | 157 | Mercer University |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.13 | 3.62 | Mercer University |
| Acceptance rate | 32.6% | 37.8% | Atlanta's John Marshall Law School |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $52,536 | $44,782 | Mercer University |
| Non-resident tuition | $52,536 | $44,782 | Mercer University |
| Median grant | $4,500 | $20,000 | Mercer University |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 68.4% | 84.0% | Mercer University |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 92.5% | 93.9% | Mercer University |
| Bar passage vs. state average | -11.8 pts | +4.7 pts | Mercer University |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 83.2% | 93.0% | Mercer University |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 3.0% | 9.8% | Mercer University |
| Federal clerkships | 0.0% | 1.4% | Mercer University |
trajectory since 2011
Full profiles & related
Atlanta's John Marshall Law School full profile · Mercer University full profile · Pin both on the interactive map → · All Georgia law schools
FAQ
Is Atlanta's John Marshall Law School or Mercer University harder to get into?
Mercer University is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 157 against Atlanta's John Marshall Law School's 152.
Which is cheaper, Atlanta's John Marshall Law School or Mercer University?
Mercer University is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $44,782 versus Atlanta's John Marshall Law School's $52,536.
Which has better bar passage, Atlanta's John Marshall Law School or Mercer University?
Mercer University has the higher first-time bar passage, 84.0% against Atlanta's John Marshall Law School's 68.4%.
Which has better job outcomes, Atlanta's John Marshall Law School or Mercer University?
Mercer University places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (93.0% vs 83.2%).
Atlanta's John Marshall Law School vs Mercer 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), Mercer 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.