Massachusetts/Dartmouth vs. South Dakota: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, South Dakota posts the higher first-time bar passage (72.6% vs 58.33%); South Dakota is cheaper on sticker tuition ($12,076 vs $31,766); South Dakota places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (86.6% vs 78.6%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Massachusetts/Dartmouth | South Dakota | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 152 | 152 | Tie |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.36 | 3.47 | South Dakota |
| Acceptance rate | 52.2% | 62.5% | Massachusetts/Dartmouth |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $31,766 | $12,076 | South Dakota |
| Non-resident tuition | $41,565 | $32,184 | South Dakota |
| Median grant | $15,000 | $5,000 | Massachusetts/Dartmouth |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 58.33% | 72.6% | South Dakota |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 84.34% | 92.31% | South Dakota |
| Bar passage vs. state average | -20.5 pts | -6 pts | South Dakota |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 78.6% | 86.6% | South Dakota |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 1% | 0% | Massachusetts/Dartmouth |
| Federal clerkships | 0% | 3.7% | South Dakota |
15-year trajectory
Full profiles & related
Massachusetts/Dartmouth full profile · South Dakota full profile
FAQ
Which is cheaper, Massachusetts/Dartmouth or South Dakota?
South Dakota is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $12,076 versus Massachusetts/Dartmouth's $31,766.
Which has better bar passage, Massachusetts/Dartmouth or South Dakota?
South Dakota has the higher first-time bar passage, 72.6% against Massachusetts/Dartmouth's 58.33%.
Which has better job outcomes, Massachusetts/Dartmouth or South Dakota?
South Dakota places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (86.6% vs 78.6%).
Massachusetts/Dartmouth vs South Dakota: 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), South Dakota 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.