Drake University vs. Iowa: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared

Both are Iowa law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Iowa is the more selective admit (median LSAT 164 vs 156); Iowa posts the higher first-time bar passage (90.96% vs 85.71%); Iowa is cheaper on sticker tuition ($30,944 vs $50,920); Iowa places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (98.1% vs 89.5%).

Side by side (ABA Standard 509)

MetricDrake UniversityIowaBetter
Admissions
Median LSAT156164Iowa
Median undergraduate GPA3.673.78Iowa
Acceptance rate54.8%44.4%Iowa
Cost
Resident tuition$50,920$30,944Iowa
Non-resident tuition$50,920$52,191Drake University
Median grant$31,000$30,043Drake University
Bar passage
First-time bar passage85.71%90.96%Iowa
Two-year ultimate bar passage93.55%91.5%Drake University
Bar passage vs. state average+2 pts+8.9 ptsIowa
Employment
Full-time, long-term JD employment89.5%98.1%Iowa
Large-firm (250+) employment0%20.2%Iowa
Federal clerkships0.9%5.1%Iowa

15-year trajectory

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
First-time bar passage: 91.49% in 2011 to 90.96% in 202580%85%90%95%111315182022242590.96%
First-time bar passage · 2011–2025
Iowa — First-time bar passage
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
Resident tuition: $26,348 in 2011 to $30,944 in 2025$22,500$25,000$27,500$30,000$32,5001113151719212325$30,944
Resident tuition · 2011–2025
Iowa — Resident tuition

Full profiles & related

Drake University full profile · Iowa full profile · All Iowa law schools

FAQ

Is Drake University or Iowa harder to get into?

Iowa is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 164 against Drake University's 156.

Which is cheaper, Drake University or Iowa?

Iowa is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $30,944 versus Drake University's $50,920.

Which has better bar passage, Drake University or Iowa?

Iowa has the higher first-time bar passage, 90.96% against Drake University's 85.71%.

Which has better job outcomes, Drake University or Iowa?

Iowa places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (98.1% vs 89.5%).

Drake University vs Iowa: 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), Iowa 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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