Liberty University vs. William & Mary: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
Both are Virginia law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, William & Mary is the more selective admit (median LSAT 166 vs 154); Liberty University posts the higher first-time bar passage (84.8% vs 83.6%); William & Mary is cheaper on sticker tuition ($38,734 vs $43,150); William & Mary places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (93.5% vs 92.0%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Liberty University | William & Mary | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 154 | 166 | William & Mary |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.54 | 3.82 | William & Mary |
| Acceptance rate | 58.8% | 22.0% | William & Mary |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $43,150 | $38,734 | William & Mary |
| Non-resident tuition | $43,150 | $62,900 | Liberty University |
| Median grant | $24,000 | $29,302 | William & Mary |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 84.8% | 83.6% | Liberty University |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 88.5% | 98.6% | William & Mary |
| Bar passage vs. state average | +7 pts | +3.6 pts | Liberty University |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 92.0% | 93.5% | William & Mary |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 0.0% | 23.6% | William & Mary |
| Federal clerkships | 0.0% | 6.0% | William & Mary |
trajectory since 2011
Full profiles & related
Liberty University full profile · William & Mary full profile · Pin both on the interactive map → · All Virginia law schools
FAQ
Is Liberty University or William & Mary harder to get into?
William & Mary is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 166 against Liberty University's 154.
Which is cheaper, Liberty University or William & Mary?
William & Mary is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $38,734 versus Liberty University's $43,150.
Which has better bar passage, Liberty University or William & Mary?
Liberty University has the higher first-time bar passage, 84.8% against William & Mary's 83.6%.
Which has better job outcomes, Liberty University or William & Mary?
William & Mary places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (93.5% vs 92.0%).
Liberty University vs William & Mary: 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), William & Mary 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.