Cooley Law School vs. Michigan State University: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
Both are Michigan law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Michigan State University is the more selective admit (median LSAT 162 vs 147); Michigan State University posts the higher first-time bar passage (78.34% vs 51.54%); Michigan State University is cheaper on sticker tuition ($43,480 vs $45,820); Michigan State University places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (88.3% vs 74.1%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Cooley Law School | Michigan State University | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 147 | 162 | Michigan State University |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.09 | 3.73 | Michigan State University |
| Acceptance rate | 52.9% | 26% | Michigan State University |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $45,820 | $43,480 | Michigan State University |
| Non-resident tuition | $45,820 | $48,222 | Cooley Law School |
| Median grant | $13,746 | $42,682 | Michigan State University |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 51.54% | 78.34% | Michigan State University |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 57.47% | 79.82% | Michigan State University |
| Bar passage vs. state average | -22.6 pts | +4 pts | Michigan State University |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 74.1% | 88.3% | Michigan State University |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 0.7% | 6.6% | Michigan State University |
| Federal clerkships | 0% | 2% | Michigan State University |
15-year trajectory
Full profiles & related
Cooley Law School full profile · Michigan State University full profile · All Michigan law schools
FAQ
Is Cooley Law School or Michigan State University harder to get into?
Michigan State University is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 162 against Cooley Law School's 147.
Which is cheaper, Cooley Law School or Michigan State University?
Michigan State University is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $43,480 versus Cooley Law School's $45,820.
Which has better bar passage, Cooley Law School or Michigan State University?
Michigan State University has the higher first-time bar passage, 78.34% against Cooley Law School's 51.54%.
Which has better job outcomes, Cooley Law School or Michigan State University?
Michigan State University places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (88.3% vs 74.1%).
Cooley Law School vs Michigan State 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), Michigan State 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.