Illinois-Chicago vs. Northern Illinois University: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
Both are Illinois law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Illinois-Chicago is the more selective admit (median LSAT 153 vs 150); Illinois-Chicago posts the higher first-time bar passage (60.14% vs 57.14%); Northern Illinois University is cheaper on sticker tuition ($23,667 vs $36,192); Illinois-Chicago places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (80.3% vs 77.6%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Illinois-Chicago | Northern Illinois University | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 153 | 150 | Illinois-Chicago |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.40 | 3.41 | Northern Illinois University |
| Acceptance rate | 52.6% | 44.3% | Northern Illinois University |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $36,192 | $23,667 | Northern Illinois University |
| Non-resident tuition | $45,240 | $23,667 | Northern Illinois University |
| Median grant | $23,250 | $8,274 | Illinois-Chicago |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 60.14% | 57.14% | Illinois-Chicago |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 77.78% | 82.95% | Northern Illinois University |
| Bar passage vs. state average | -18.7 pts | -21.5 pts | Illinois-Chicago |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 80.3% | 77.6% | Illinois-Chicago |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 5.4% | 0.9% | Illinois-Chicago |
| Federal clerkships | 0.4% | 0% | Illinois-Chicago |
15-year trajectory
Full profiles & related
Illinois-Chicago full profile · Northern Illinois University full profile · All Illinois law schools
FAQ
Is Illinois-Chicago or Northern Illinois University harder to get into?
Illinois-Chicago is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 153 against Northern Illinois University's 150.
Which is cheaper, Illinois-Chicago or Northern Illinois University?
Northern Illinois University is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $23,667 versus Illinois-Chicago's $36,192.
Which has better bar passage, Illinois-Chicago or Northern Illinois University?
Illinois-Chicago has the higher first-time bar passage, 60.14% against Northern Illinois University's 57.14%.
Which has better job outcomes, Illinois-Chicago or Northern Illinois University?
Illinois-Chicago places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (80.3% vs 77.6%).
Illinois-Chicago vs Northern Illinois University: 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), Illinois-Chicago 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.