Detroit Mercy vs. Michigan: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared

Both are Michigan law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Michigan is the more selective admit (median LSAT 171 vs 156); Michigan posts the higher first-time bar passage (95.57% vs 70.83%); Detroit Mercy is cheaper on sticker tuition ($48,480 vs $76,108); Michigan places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (97.7% vs 91.6%).

Side by side (ABA Standard 509)

MetricDetroit MercyMichiganBetter
Admissions
Median LSAT156171Michigan
Median undergraduate GPA3.523.88Michigan
Acceptance rate41.4%8.6%Michigan
Cost
Resident tuition$48,480$76,108Detroit Mercy
Non-resident tuition$48,480$79,108Detroit Mercy
Median grant$18,636$32,000Michigan
Bar passage
First-time bar passage70.83%95.57%Michigan
Two-year ultimate bar passage77.88%98.7%Michigan
Bar passage vs. state average-2.4 pts+15.1 ptsMichigan
Employment
Full-time, long-term JD employment91.6%97.7%Michigan
Large-firm (250+) employment7.3%57.1%Michigan
Federal clerkships0%9.9%Michigan

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: 93.33% in 2011 to 95.57% in 202590%92%94%96%98%111315182022242595.57%
First-time bar passage · 2011–2025
Michigan — 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: $46,830 in 2011 to $76,108 in 2025$40,000$50,000$60,000$70,000$80,0001113151719212325$76,108
Resident tuition · 2011–2025
Michigan — Resident tuition

Full profiles & related

Detroit Mercy full profile · Michigan full profile · All Michigan law schools

FAQ

Is Detroit Mercy or Michigan harder to get into?

Michigan is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 171 against Detroit Mercy's 156.

Which is cheaper, Detroit Mercy or Michigan?

Detroit Mercy is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $48,480 versus Michigan's $76,108.

Which has better bar passage, Detroit Mercy or Michigan?

Michigan has the higher first-time bar passage, 95.57% against Detroit Mercy's 70.83%.

Which has better job outcomes, Detroit Mercy or Michigan?

Michigan places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (97.7% vs 91.6%).

Detroit Mercy vs Michigan: 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 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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