University of Chicago vs. Illinois: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
Both are Illinois law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, University of Chicago is the more selective admit (median LSAT 174 vs 166); University of Chicago posts the higher first-time bar passage (97.42% vs 93.56%); Illinois is cheaper on sticker tuition ($36,500 vs $83,316); University of Chicago places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (98.1% vs 95.4%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | University of Chicago | Illinois | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 174 | 166 | University of Chicago |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.97 | 3.81 | University of Chicago |
| Acceptance rate | 9.7% | 32.9% | University of Chicago |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $83,316 | $36,500 | Illinois |
| Non-resident tuition | $83,316 | $46,500 | Illinois |
| Median grant | $15,000 | $32,000 | Illinois |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 97.42% | 93.56% | University of Chicago |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 99.53% | 98.41% | University of Chicago |
| Bar passage vs. state average | +15.9 pts | +14.5 pts | University of Chicago |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 98.1% | 95.4% | University of Chicago |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 62% | 33.3% | University of Chicago |
| Federal clerkships | 22.7% | 4.6% | University of Chicago |
15-year trajectory
Full profiles & related
University of Chicago full profile · Illinois full profile · All Illinois law schools
FAQ
Is University of Chicago or Illinois harder to get into?
University of Chicago is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 174 against Illinois's 166.
Which is cheaper, University of Chicago or Illinois?
Illinois is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $36,500 versus University of Chicago's $83,316.
Which has better bar passage, University of Chicago or Illinois?
University of Chicago has the higher first-time bar passage, 97.42% against Illinois's 93.56%.
Which has better job outcomes, University of Chicago or Illinois?
University of Chicago places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (98.1% vs 95.4%).
University of Chicago vs Illinois: 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), University of Chicago 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.