Ave Maria vs. Nova Southeastern University: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
Both are Florida law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Nova Southeastern University posts the higher first-time bar passage (67.37% vs 65.88%); Nova Southeastern University is cheaper on sticker tuition ($49,350 vs $49,500); Ave Maria places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (84% vs 77.3%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Ave Maria | Nova Southeastern University | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 155 | 155 | Tie |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.36 | 3.52 | Nova Southeastern University |
| Acceptance rate | 47% | 47.3% | Ave Maria |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $49,500 | $49,350 | Nova Southeastern University |
| Non-resident tuition | $49,500 | $49,350 | Nova Southeastern University |
| Median grant | $30,000 | $15,000 | Ave Maria |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 65.88% | 67.37% | Nova Southeastern University |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 85.19% | 82.93% | Ave Maria |
| Bar passage vs. state average | -7.9 pts | -5.4 pts | Nova Southeastern University |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 84% | 77.3% | Ave Maria |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 4.9% | 14.3% | Nova Southeastern University |
| Federal clerkships | 0% | 0% | Tie |
15-year trajectory
Full profiles & related
Ave Maria full profile · Nova Southeastern University full profile · All Florida law schools
FAQ
Which is cheaper, Ave Maria or Nova Southeastern University?
Nova Southeastern University is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $49,350 versus Ave Maria's $49,500.
Which has better bar passage, Ave Maria or Nova Southeastern University?
Nova Southeastern University has the higher first-time bar passage, 67.37% against Ave Maria's 65.88%.
Which has better job outcomes, Ave Maria or Nova Southeastern University?
Ave Maria places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (84% vs 77.3%).
Ave Maria vs Nova Southeastern 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), Nova Southeastern 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.