Chicago-Kent, Illinois Institute of Technology vs. Northern Illinois University: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
Both are Illinois law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Chicago-Kent, Illinois Institute of Technology is the more selective admit (median LSAT 161 vs 150); Chicago-Kent, Illinois Institute of Technology posts the higher first-time bar passage (79.02% vs 57.14%); Northern Illinois University is cheaper on sticker tuition ($23,667 vs $53,070); Chicago-Kent, Illinois Institute of Technology places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (84.5% vs 77.6%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Chicago-Kent, Illinois Institute of Technology | Northern Illinois University | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 161 | 150 | Chicago-Kent, Illinois Institute of Technology |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.72 | 3.41 | Chicago-Kent, Illinois Institute of Technology |
| Acceptance rate | 38.6% | 44.3% | Chicago-Kent, Illinois Institute of Technology |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $53,070 | $23,667 | Northern Illinois University |
| Non-resident tuition | $53,070 | $23,667 | Northern Illinois University |
| Median grant | $35,000 | $8,274 | Chicago-Kent, Illinois Institute of Technology |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 79.02% | 57.14% | Chicago-Kent, Illinois Institute of Technology |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 92.57% | 82.95% | Chicago-Kent, Illinois Institute of Technology |
| Bar passage vs. state average | +0.3 pts | -21.5 pts | Chicago-Kent, Illinois Institute of Technology |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 84.5% | 77.6% | Chicago-Kent, Illinois Institute of Technology |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 14.2% | 0.9% | Chicago-Kent, Illinois Institute of Technology |
| Federal clerkships | 0.4% | 0% | Chicago-Kent, Illinois Institute of Technology |
15-year trajectory
Full profiles & related
Chicago-Kent, Illinois Institute of Technology full profile · Northern Illinois University full profile · All Illinois law schools
FAQ
Is Chicago-Kent, Illinois Institute of Technology or Northern Illinois University harder to get into?
Chicago-Kent, Illinois Institute of Technology is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 161 against Northern Illinois University's 150.
Which is cheaper, Chicago-Kent, Illinois Institute of Technology or Northern Illinois University?
Northern Illinois University is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $23,667 versus Chicago-Kent, Illinois Institute of Technology's $53,070.
Which has better bar passage, Chicago-Kent, Illinois Institute of Technology or Northern Illinois University?
Chicago-Kent, Illinois Institute of Technology has the higher first-time bar passage, 79.02% against Northern Illinois University's 57.14%.
Which has better job outcomes, Chicago-Kent, Illinois Institute of Technology or Northern Illinois University?
Chicago-Kent, Illinois Institute of Technology places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (84.5% vs 77.6%).
Chicago-Kent, Illinois Institute of Technology vs Northern Illinois 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), Chicago-Kent, Illinois Institute of Technology 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.