Chicago-Kent, Illinois Institute of Technology vs. Southern 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 149); Chicago-Kent, Illinois Institute of Technology posts the higher first-time bar passage (79.02% vs 59.49%); Southern Illinois University is cheaper on sticker tuition ($15,863 vs $53,070); Chicago-Kent, Illinois Institute of Technology places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (84.5% vs 81.1%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Chicago-Kent, Illinois Institute of Technology | Southern Illinois University | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 161 | 149 | Chicago-Kent, Illinois Institute of Technology |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.72 | 3.38 | Chicago-Kent, Illinois Institute of Technology |
| Acceptance rate | 38.6% | 56.2% | Chicago-Kent, Illinois Institute of Technology |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $53,070 | $15,863 | Southern Illinois University |
| Non-resident tuition | $53,070 | $15,863 | Southern Illinois University |
| Median grant | $35,000 | $9,500 | Chicago-Kent, Illinois Institute of Technology |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 79.02% | 59.49% | Chicago-Kent, Illinois Institute of Technology |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 92.57% | 78.57% | Chicago-Kent, Illinois Institute of Technology |
| Bar passage vs. state average | +0.3 pts | -19.7 pts | Chicago-Kent, Illinois Institute of Technology |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 84.5% | 81.1% | Chicago-Kent, Illinois Institute of Technology |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 14.2% | 2.8% | 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 · Southern Illinois University full profile · All Illinois law schools
FAQ
Is Chicago-Kent, Illinois Institute of Technology or Southern Illinois University harder to get into?
Chicago-Kent, Illinois Institute of Technology is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 161 against Southern Illinois University's 149.
Which is cheaper, Chicago-Kent, Illinois Institute of Technology or Southern Illinois University?
Southern Illinois University is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $15,863 versus Chicago-Kent, Illinois Institute of Technology's $53,070.
Which has better bar passage, Chicago-Kent, Illinois Institute of Technology or Southern Illinois University?
Chicago-Kent, Illinois Institute of Technology has the higher first-time bar passage, 79.02% against Southern Illinois University's 59.49%.
Which has better job outcomes, Chicago-Kent, Illinois Institute of Technology or Southern Illinois University?
Chicago-Kent, Illinois Institute of Technology places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (84.5% vs 81.1%).
Chicago-Kent, Illinois Institute of Technology vs Southern 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.