Florida A&M University vs. South Dakota: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared

On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Florida A&M University posts the higher first-time bar passage (75.38% vs 72.6%); South Dakota is cheaper on sticker tuition ($12,076 vs $13,224); South Dakota places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (86.6% vs 79.6%).

Side by side (ABA Standard 509)

MetricFlorida A&M UniversitySouth DakotaBetter
Admissions
Median LSAT152152Tie
Median undergraduate GPA3.483.47Florida A&M University
Acceptance rate34.7%62.5%Florida A&M University
Cost
Resident tuition$13,224$12,076South Dakota
Non-resident tuition$31,842$32,184Florida A&M University
Median grant$7,500$5,000Florida A&M University
Bar passage
First-time bar passage75.38%72.6%Florida A&M University
Two-year ultimate bar passage70.34%92.31%South Dakota
Bar passage vs. state average+2.1 pts-6 ptsFlorida A&M University
Employment
Full-time, long-term JD employment79.6%86.6%South Dakota
Large-firm (250+) employment7.4%0%Florida A&M University
Federal clerkships0%3.7%South Dakota

15-year trajectory

First-time bar passage: 61.11% in 2011 to 75.38% in 202520%40%60%80%111315182022242575.38%
First-time bar passage · 2011–2025
Florida A&M University — First-time bar passage
First-time bar passage: 98.21% in 2011 to 72.6% in 202540%60%80%100%120%111315182022242572.6%
First-time bar passage · 2011–2025
South Dakota — First-time bar passage
Resident tuition: $12,424 in 2011 to $13,224 in 2025$12,000$12,500$13,000$13,500$14,000$14,5001113151719212325$13,224
Resident tuition · 2011–2025
Florida A&M University — Resident tuition
Resident tuition: $12,340 in 2011 to $12,076 in 2025$10,000$12,000$14,000$16,000$18,0001113151719212325$12,076
Resident tuition · 2011–2025
South Dakota — Resident tuition

Full profiles & related

FAQ

Which is cheaper, Florida A&M University or South Dakota?

South Dakota is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $12,076 versus Florida A&M University's $13,224.

Which has better bar passage, Florida A&M University or South Dakota?

Florida A&M University has the higher first-time bar passage, 75.38% against South Dakota's 72.6%.

Which has better job outcomes, Florida A&M University or South Dakota?

South Dakota places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (86.6% vs 79.6%).

Florida A&M University vs South Dakota: 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), South Dakota 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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