Indiana University-Bloomington vs. Notre Dame: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
Both are Indiana law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Notre Dame is the more selective admit (median LSAT 170 vs 164); Notre Dame posts the higher first-time bar passage (92.15% vs 87.37%); Indiana University-Bloomington is cheaper on sticker tuition ($36,950 vs $73,430); Notre Dame places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (93.9% vs 90.9%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Indiana University-Bloomington | Notre Dame | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 164 | 170 | Notre Dame |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.91 | 3.89 | Indiana University-Bloomington |
| Acceptance rate | 35.8% | 16.1% | Notre Dame |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $36,950 | $73,430 | Indiana University-Bloomington |
| Non-resident tuition | $58,000 | $73,430 | Indiana University-Bloomington |
| Median grant | $33,000 | $30,000 | Indiana University-Bloomington |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 87.37% | 92.15% | Notre Dame |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 95.21% | 99.01% | Notre Dame |
| Bar passage vs. state average | +8.3 pts | +12.3 pts | Notre Dame |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 90.9% | 93.9% | Notre Dame |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 23.2% | 34.8% | Notre Dame |
| Federal clerkships | 4.3% | 17.1% | Notre Dame |
15-year trajectory
Full profiles & related
Indiana University-Bloomington full profile · Notre Dame full profile · All Indiana law schools
FAQ
Is Indiana University-Bloomington or Notre Dame harder to get into?
Notre Dame is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 170 against Indiana University-Bloomington's 164.
Which is cheaper, Indiana University-Bloomington or Notre Dame?
Indiana University-Bloomington is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $36,950 versus Notre Dame's $73,430.
Which has better bar passage, Indiana University-Bloomington or Notre Dame?
Notre Dame has the higher first-time bar passage, 92.15% against Indiana University-Bloomington's 87.37%.
Which has better job outcomes, Indiana University-Bloomington or Notre Dame?
Notre Dame places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (93.9% vs 90.9%).
Indiana University-Bloomington vs Notre Dame: 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), Notre Dame 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.