Indiana University-Bloomington vs. Iowa: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Iowa posts the higher first-time bar passage (90.96% vs 87.37%); Iowa is cheaper on sticker tuition ($30,944 vs $36,950); Iowa places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (98.1% vs 90.9%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Indiana University-Bloomington | Iowa | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 164 | 164 | Tie |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.91 | 3.78 | Indiana University-Bloomington |
| Acceptance rate | 35.8% | 44.4% | Indiana University-Bloomington |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $36,950 | $30,944 | Iowa |
| Non-resident tuition | $58,000 | $52,191 | Iowa |
| Median grant | $33,000 | $30,043 | Indiana University-Bloomington |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 87.37% | 90.96% | Iowa |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 95.21% | 91.5% | Indiana University-Bloomington |
| Bar passage vs. state average | +8.3 pts | +8.9 pts | Iowa |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 90.9% | 98.1% | Iowa |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 23.2% | 20.2% | Indiana University-Bloomington |
| Federal clerkships | 4.3% | 5.1% | Iowa |
15-year trajectory
Full profiles & related
Indiana University-Bloomington full profile · Iowa full profile
FAQ
Which is cheaper, Indiana University-Bloomington or Iowa?
Iowa is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $30,944 versus Indiana University-Bloomington's $36,950.
Which has better bar passage, Indiana University-Bloomington or Iowa?
Iowa has the higher first-time bar passage, 90.96% against Indiana University-Bloomington's 87.37%.
Which has better job outcomes, Indiana University-Bloomington or Iowa?
Iowa places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (98.1% vs 90.9%).
Indiana University-Bloomington vs Iowa: 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), Iowa 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.