Baylor University vs. Iowa: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared

On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Baylor University posts the higher first-time bar passage (94.92% vs 90.96%); Iowa is cheaper on sticker tuition ($30,944 vs $64,639); Baylor University places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (98.2% vs 98.1%).

Side by side (ABA Standard 509)

MetricBaylor UniversityIowaBetter
Admissions
Median LSAT164164Tie
Median undergraduate GPA3.773.78Iowa
Acceptance rate18.94%44.4%Baylor University
Cost
Resident tuition$64,639$30,944Iowa
Non-resident tuition$64,639$52,191Iowa
Median grant$33,518$30,043Baylor University
Bar passage
First-time bar passage94.92%90.96%Baylor University
Two-year ultimate bar passage100%91.5%Baylor University
Bar passage vs. state average+13.5 pts+8.9 ptsBaylor University
Employment
Full-time, long-term JD employment98.2%98.1%Baylor University
Large-firm (250+) employment12.7%20.2%Iowa
Federal clerkships7.3%5.1%Baylor University

15-year trajectory

First-time bar passage: 94.16% in 2011 to 94.92% in 202575%80%85%90%95%100%111315182022242594.92%
First-time bar passage · 2011–2025
Baylor University — First-time bar passage
First-time bar passage: 91.49% in 2011 to 90.96% in 202580%85%90%95%111315182022242590.96%
First-time bar passage · 2011–2025
Iowa — First-time bar passage
Resident tuition: $43,573 in 2011 to $69,510 in 2026$40,000$50,000$60,000$70,000$80,000111315171921232526$69,510
Resident tuition · 2011–2026
Baylor University — Resident tuition
Resident tuition: $26,348 in 2011 to $30,944 in 2025$22,500$25,000$27,500$30,000$32,5001113151719212325$30,944
Resident tuition · 2011–2025
Iowa — Resident tuition

Full profiles & related

Baylor University full profile · Iowa full profile

FAQ

Which is cheaper, Baylor University or Iowa?

Iowa is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $30,944 versus Baylor University's $64,639.

Which has better bar passage, Baylor University or Iowa?

Baylor University has the higher first-time bar passage, 94.92% against Iowa's 90.96%.

Which has better job outcomes, Baylor University or Iowa?

Baylor University places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (98.2% vs 98.1%).

Baylor University vs Iowa: 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), Baylor 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.

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