Marquette University vs. Wisconsin: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
Both are Wisconsin law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Wisconsin is the more selective admit (median LSAT 167 vs 158); Wisconsin posts the higher first-time bar passage (80% vs 50%); Wisconsin is cheaper on sticker tuition ($36,526 vs $51,970); Marquette University places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (95.4% vs 95.3%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Marquette University | Wisconsin | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 158 | 167 | Wisconsin |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.70 | 3.81 | Wisconsin |
| Acceptance rate | 22.1% | 19.1% | Wisconsin |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $51,970 | $36,526 | Wisconsin |
| Non-resident tuition | $51,970 | $53,640 | Marquette University |
| Median grant | $23,000 | $35,000 | Wisconsin |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 50% | 80% | Wisconsin |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 100% | 85.71% | Marquette University |
| Bar passage vs. state average | -20.9 pts | +1.3 pts | Wisconsin |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 95.4% | 95.3% | Marquette University |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 9.7% | 19.2% | Wisconsin |
| Federal clerkships | 0.6% | 3.5% | Wisconsin |
15-year trajectory
Full profiles & related
Marquette University full profile · Wisconsin full profile · All Wisconsin law schools
FAQ
Is Marquette University or Wisconsin harder to get into?
Wisconsin is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 167 against Marquette University's 158.
Which is cheaper, Marquette University or Wisconsin?
Wisconsin is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $36,526 versus Marquette University's $51,970.
Which has better bar passage, Marquette University or Wisconsin?
Wisconsin has the higher first-time bar passage, 80% against Marquette University's 50%.
Which has better job outcomes, Marquette University or Wisconsin?
Marquette University places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (95.4% vs 95.3%).
Marquette University vs Wisconsin: 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), Wisconsin 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.