Detroit Mercy vs. Drake University: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Drake University posts the higher first-time bar passage (85.7% vs 70.8%); Detroit Mercy is cheaper on sticker tuition ($48,480 vs $50,920); Detroit Mercy places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (91.6% vs 89.5%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Detroit Mercy | Drake University | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 156 | 156 | Tie |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.52 | 3.67 | Drake University |
| Acceptance rate | 41.4% | 54.8% | Detroit Mercy |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $48,480 | $50,920 | Detroit Mercy |
| Non-resident tuition | $48,480 | $50,920 | Detroit Mercy |
| Median grant | $18,636 | $31,000 | Drake University |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 70.8% | 85.7% | Drake University |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 77.9% | 93.5% | Drake University |
| Bar passage vs. state average | -2.4 pts | +2 pts | Drake University |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 91.6% | 89.5% | Detroit Mercy |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 7.3% | 0.0% | Detroit Mercy |
| Federal clerkships | 0.0% | 0.9% | Drake University |
trajectory since 2011
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FAQ
Which is cheaper, Detroit Mercy or Drake University?
Detroit Mercy is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $48,480 versus Drake University's $50,920.
Which has better bar passage, Detroit Mercy or Drake University?
Drake University has the higher first-time bar passage, 85.7% against Detroit Mercy's 70.8%.
Which has better job outcomes, Detroit Mercy or Drake University?
Detroit Mercy places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (91.6% vs 89.5%).
Detroit Mercy vs Drake 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), Detroit Mercy 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.