Illinois vs. University of Utah: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, University of Utah posts the higher first-time bar passage (94.7% vs 93.6%); University of Utah is cheaper on sticker tuition ($34,721 vs $36,500); University of Utah places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (96.8% vs 95.4%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Illinois | University of Utah | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 166 | 166 | Tie |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.81 | 3.87 | University of Utah |
| Acceptance rate | 32.9% | 25.3% | University of Utah |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $36,500 | $34,721 | University of Utah |
| Non-resident tuition | $46,500 | $45,382 | University of Utah |
| Median grant | $32,000 | $28,410 | Illinois |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 93.6% | 94.7% | University of Utah |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 98.4% | 96.1% | Illinois |
| Bar passage vs. state average | +14.5 pts | +9.9 pts | Illinois |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 95.4% | 96.8% | University of Utah |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 33.3% | 7.5% | Illinois |
| Federal clerkships | 4.6% | 0.0% | Illinois |
trajectory since 2011
Full profiles & related
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FAQ
Which is cheaper, Illinois or University of Utah?
University of Utah is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $34,721 versus Illinois's $36,500.
Which has better bar passage, Illinois or University of Utah?
University of Utah has the higher first-time bar passage, 94.7% against Illinois's 93.6%.
Which has better job outcomes, Illinois or University of Utah?
University of Utah places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (96.8% vs 95.4%).
Illinois vs University of Utah: 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), University of Utah 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.