Ave Maria vs. Stetson University: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
Both are Florida law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Stetson University is the more selective admit (median LSAT 159 vs 155); Stetson University posts the higher first-time bar passage (77.03% vs 65.88%); Ave Maria is cheaper on sticker tuition ($49,500 vs $56,521); Stetson University places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (87.1% vs 84%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Ave Maria | Stetson University | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 155 | 159 | Stetson University |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.36 | 3.63 | Stetson University |
| Acceptance rate | 47% | 36.4% | Stetson University |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $49,500 | $56,521 | Ave Maria |
| Non-resident tuition | $49,500 | $56,521 | Ave Maria |
| Median grant | $30,000 | $25,000 | Ave Maria |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 65.88% | 77.03% | Stetson University |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 85.19% | 85.6% | Stetson University |
| Bar passage vs. state average | -7.9 pts | +3.9 pts | Stetson University |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 84% | 87.1% | Stetson University |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 4.9% | 15.3% | Stetson University |
| Federal clerkships | 0% | 1.4% | Stetson University |
15-year trajectory
Full profiles & related
Ave Maria full profile · Stetson University full profile · All Florida law schools
FAQ
Is Ave Maria or Stetson University harder to get into?
Stetson University is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 159 against Ave Maria's 155.
Which is cheaper, Ave Maria or Stetson University?
Ave Maria is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $49,500 versus Stetson University's $56,521.
Which has better bar passage, Ave Maria or Stetson University?
Stetson University has the higher first-time bar passage, 77.03% against Ave Maria's 65.88%.
Which has better job outcomes, Ave Maria or Stetson University?
Stetson University places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (87.1% vs 84%).
Ave Maria vs Stetson 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), Stetson 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.