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 (85.71% vs 70.83%); 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)

MetricDetroit MercyDrake UniversityBetter
Admissions
Median LSAT156156Tie
Median undergraduate GPA3.523.67Drake University
Acceptance rate41.4%54.8%Detroit Mercy
Cost
Resident tuition$48,480$50,920Detroit Mercy
Non-resident tuition$48,480$50,920Detroit Mercy
Median grant$18,636$31,000Drake University
Bar passage
First-time bar passage70.83%85.71%Drake University
Two-year ultimate bar passage77.88%93.55%Drake University
Bar passage vs. state average-2.4 pts+2 ptsDrake University
Employment
Full-time, long-term JD employment91.6%89.5%Detroit Mercy
Large-firm (250+) employment7.3%0%Detroit Mercy
Federal clerkships0%0.9%Drake University

15-year trajectory

First-time bar passage: 77.59% in 2011 to 70.83% in 202550%60%70%80%90%111315182022242570.83%
First-time bar passage · 2011–2025
Detroit Mercy — First-time bar passage
First-time bar passage: 91.17% in 2011 to 85.71% in 202575%80%85%90%95%100%111315182022242585.71%
First-time bar passage · 2011–2025
Drake University — First-time bar passage
Resident tuition: $36,050 in 2011 to $48,480 in 2025$30,000$40,000$50,000$60,0001113151719212325$48,480
Resident tuition · 2011–2025
Detroit Mercy — Resident tuition
Resident tuition: $34,006 in 2011 to $50,920 in 2025$30,000$35,000$40,000$45,000$50,000$55,0001113151719212325$50,920
Resident tuition · 2011–2025
Drake University — Resident tuition

Full profiles & related

Detroit Mercy full profile · Drake University full profile

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, 85.71% against Detroit Mercy's 70.83%.

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.

Exhibit 509 by 509αNewsletterTermsPrivacyAccessibilitySitemap● Sourced from ABA Standard 509 · Last synced June 26, 2026