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

On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Montana posts the higher first-time bar passage (82.05% vs 70.83%); Montana is cheaper on sticker tuition ($24,582 vs $48,480); Detroit Mercy places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (91.6% vs 85.9%).

Side by side (ABA Standard 509)

MetricDetroit MercyMontanaBetter
Admissions
Median LSAT156156Tie
Median undergraduate GPA3.523.64Montana
Acceptance rate41.4%51.4%Detroit Mercy
Cost
Resident tuition$48,480$24,582Montana
Non-resident tuition$48,480$51,582Detroit Mercy
Median grant$18,636$10,000Detroit Mercy
Bar passage
First-time bar passage70.83%82.05%Montana
Two-year ultimate bar passage77.88%97.5%Montana
Bar passage vs. state average-2.4 pts+1.4 ptsMontana
Employment
Full-time, long-term JD employment91.6%85.9%Detroit Mercy
Large-firm (250+) employment7.3%0%Detroit Mercy
Federal clerkships0%5.9%Montana

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: 91.56% in 2011 to 82.05% in 202560%70%80%90%100%111315182022242582.05%
First-time bar passage · 2011–2025
Montana — 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: $11,578 in 2011 to $24,582 in 2025$10,000$15,000$20,000$25,000$30,0001113151719212325$24,582
Resident tuition · 2011–2025
Montana — Resident tuition

Full profiles & related

Detroit Mercy full profile · Montana full profile

FAQ

Which is cheaper, Detroit Mercy or Montana?

Montana is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $24,582 versus Detroit Mercy's $48,480.

Which has better bar passage, Detroit Mercy or Montana?

Montana has the higher first-time bar passage, 82.05% against Detroit Mercy's 70.83%.

Which has better job outcomes, Detroit Mercy or Montana?

Detroit Mercy places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (91.6% vs 85.9%).

Detroit Mercy vs Montana: 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), Montana 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