Belmont University vs. Tennessee: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
Both are Tennessee law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Tennessee is the more selective admit (median LSAT 164 vs 161); Belmont University posts the higher first-time bar passage (95% vs 91.94%); Tennessee is cheaper on sticker tuition ($16,696 vs $55,500); Tennessee places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (92.7% vs 89.8%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Belmont University | Tennessee | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 161 | 164 | Tennessee |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.84 | 3.89 | Tennessee |
| Acceptance rate | 37.6% | 24.8% | Tennessee |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $55,500 | $16,696 | Tennessee |
| Non-resident tuition | $55,500 | $35,140 | Tennessee |
| Median grant | $40,710 | $10,550 | Belmont University |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 95% | 91.94% | Belmont University |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 93.04% | 89.66% | Belmont University |
| Bar passage vs. state average | +17.1 pts | +13.4 pts | Belmont University |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 89.8% | 92.7% | Tennessee |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 10.1% | 13.7% | Tennessee |
| Federal clerkships | 0.8% | 4.8% | Tennessee |
15-year trajectory
Full profiles & related
Belmont University full profile · Tennessee full profile · All Tennessee law schools
FAQ
Is Belmont University or Tennessee harder to get into?
Tennessee is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 164 against Belmont University's 161.
Which is cheaper, Belmont University or Tennessee?
Tennessee is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $16,696 versus Belmont University's $55,500.
Which has better bar passage, Belmont University or Tennessee?
Belmont University has the higher first-time bar passage, 95% against Tennessee's 91.94%.
Which has better job outcomes, Belmont University or Tennessee?
Tennessee places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (92.7% vs 89.8%).
Belmont University vs Tennessee: 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), Tennessee 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.