Idaho vs. Illinois-Chicago: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared

On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Idaho posts the higher first-time bar passage (68.38% vs 60.14%); Idaho is cheaper on sticker tuition ($27,516 vs $36,192); Idaho places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (85.4% vs 80.3%).

Side by side (ABA Standard 509)

MetricIdahoIllinois-ChicagoBetter
Admissions
Median LSAT153153Tie
Median undergraduate GPA3.543.40Idaho
Acceptance rate66.8%52.6%Illinois-Chicago
Cost
Resident tuition$27,516$36,192Idaho
Non-resident tuition$46,752$45,240Illinois-Chicago
Median grant$8,000$23,250Illinois-Chicago
Bar passage
First-time bar passage68.38%60.14%Idaho
Two-year ultimate bar passage78.98%77.78%Idaho
Bar passage vs. state average-10 pts-18.7 ptsIdaho
Employment
Full-time, long-term JD employment85.4%80.3%Idaho
Large-firm (250+) employment1.5%5.4%Illinois-Chicago
Federal clerkships0.7%0.4%Idaho

15-year trajectory

First-time bar passage: 69.44% in 2011 to 68.38% in 202560%70%80%90%111315182022242568.38%
First-time bar passage · 2011–2025
Idaho — First-time bar passage
First-time bar passage: 88.73% in 2011 to 60.14% in 202540%60%80%100%111315182022242560.14%
First-time bar passage · 2011–2025
Illinois-Chicago — First-time bar passage
Resident tuition: $14,040 in 2011 to $27,516 in 2025$10,000$15,000$20,000$25,000$30,0001113151719212325$27,516
Resident tuition · 2011–2025
Idaho — Resident tuition
Resident tuition: $38,180 in 2011 to $36,192 in 2025$30,000$35,000$40,000$45,000$50,0001113151719212325$36,192
Resident tuition · 2011–2025
Illinois-Chicago — Resident tuition

Full profiles & related

Idaho full profile · Illinois-Chicago full profile

FAQ

Which is cheaper, Idaho or Illinois-Chicago?

Idaho is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $27,516 versus Illinois-Chicago's $36,192.

Which has better bar passage, Idaho or Illinois-Chicago?

Idaho has the higher first-time bar passage, 68.38% against Illinois-Chicago's 60.14%.

Which has better job outcomes, Idaho or Illinois-Chicago?

Idaho places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (85.4% vs 80.3%).

Idaho vs Illinois-Chicago: 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), Idaho 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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