DePaul University vs. Illinois: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared

Both are Illinois law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Illinois is the more selective admit (median LSAT 166 vs 158); Illinois posts the higher first-time bar passage (93.56% vs 76.02%); Illinois is cheaper on sticker tuition ($36,500 vs $55,328); Illinois places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (95.4% vs 88.4%).

Side by side (ABA Standard 509)

MetricDePaul UniversityIllinoisBetter
Admissions
Median LSAT158166Illinois
Median undergraduate GPA3.613.81Illinois
Acceptance rate34.8%32.9%Illinois
Cost
Resident tuition$55,328$36,500Illinois
Non-resident tuition$55,328$46,500Illinois
Median grant$34,950$32,000DePaul University
Bar passage
First-time bar passage76.02%93.56%Illinois
Two-year ultimate bar passage87.15%98.41%Illinois
Bar passage vs. state average-2.5 pts+14.5 ptsIllinois
Employment
Full-time, long-term JD employment88.4%95.4%Illinois
Large-firm (250+) employment11%33.3%Illinois
Federal clerkships0%4.6%Illinois

15-year trajectory

First-time bar passage: 89.81% in 2011 to 76.02% in 202550%60%70%80%90%100%111315182022242576.02%
First-time bar passage · 2011–2025
DePaul University — First-time bar passage
First-time bar passage: 92.67% in 2011 to 93.56% in 202570%80%90%100%111315182022242593.56%
First-time bar passage · 2011–2025
Illinois — First-time bar passage
Resident tuition: $41,690 in 2011 to $55,328 in 2025$40,000$45,000$50,000$55,000$60,0001113151719212325$55,328
Resident tuition · 2011–2025
DePaul University — Resident tuition
Resident tuition: $38,567 in 2011 to $36,500 in 2025$34,000$36,000$38,000$40,000$42,0001113151719212325$36,500
Resident tuition · 2011–2025
Illinois — Resident tuition

Full profiles & related

DePaul University full profile · Illinois full profile · All Illinois law schools

FAQ

Is DePaul University or Illinois harder to get into?

Illinois is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 166 against DePaul University's 158.

Which is cheaper, DePaul University or Illinois?

Illinois is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $36,500 versus DePaul University's $55,328.

Which has better bar passage, DePaul University or Illinois?

Illinois has the higher first-time bar passage, 93.56% against DePaul University's 76.02%.

Which has better job outcomes, DePaul University or Illinois?

Illinois places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (95.4% vs 88.4%).

DePaul University 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), Illinois 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.

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