Howard University 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 76.77%); Montana is cheaper on sticker tuition ($24,582 vs $39,780); Montana places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (85.9% vs 70.3%).

Side by side (ABA Standard 509)

MetricHoward UniversityMontanaBetter
Admissions
Median LSAT156156Tie
Median undergraduate GPA3.633.64Montana
Acceptance rate24.1%51.4%Howard University
Cost
Resident tuition$39,780$24,582Montana
Non-resident tuition$39,780$51,582Howard University
Median grant$23,657$10,000Howard University
Bar passage
First-time bar passage76.77%82.05%Montana
Two-year ultimate bar passage87.32%97.5%Montana
Bar passage vs. state average-5.5 pts+1.4 ptsMontana
Employment
Full-time, long-term JD employment70.3%85.9%Montana
Large-firm (250+) employment36.1%0%Howard University
Federal clerkships1.9%5.9%Montana

15-year trajectory

First-time bar passage: 68.54% in 2011 to 76.77% in 202540%50%60%70%80%111315182022242576.77%
First-time bar passage · 2011–2025
Howard University — 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: $29,131 in 2011 to $39,780 in 2025$25,000$30,000$35,000$40,000$45,0001113151719212325$39,780
Resident tuition · 2011–2025
Howard University — 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

Howard University full profile · Montana full profile

FAQ

Which is cheaper, Howard University or Montana?

Montana is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $24,582 versus Howard University's $39,780.

Which has better bar passage, Howard University or Montana?

Montana has the higher first-time bar passage, 82.05% against Howard University's 76.77%.

Which has better job outcomes, Howard University or Montana?

Montana places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (85.9% vs 70.3%).

Howard University 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