University of Memphis vs. Tennessee: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
Both are Tennessee law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Tennessee is the more selective admit (median LSAT 164 vs 155); Tennessee posts the higher first-time bar passage (91.94% vs 73.4%); Tennessee is cheaper on sticker tuition ($16,696 vs $18,634); Tennessee places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (92.7% vs 91.5%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | University of Memphis | Tennessee | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 155 | 164 | Tennessee |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.53 | 3.89 | Tennessee |
| Acceptance rate | 41.1% | 24.8% | Tennessee |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $18,634 | $16,696 | Tennessee |
| Non-resident tuition | $24,354 | $35,140 | University of Memphis |
| Median grant | $11,000 | $10,550 | University of Memphis |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 73.4% | 91.94% | Tennessee |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 82.86% | 89.66% | Tennessee |
| Bar passage vs. state average | -5.1 pts | +13.4 pts | Tennessee |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 91.5% | 92.7% | Tennessee |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 6.4% | 13.7% | Tennessee |
| Federal clerkships | 2.1% | 4.8% | Tennessee |
15-year trajectory
Full profiles & related
University of Memphis full profile · Tennessee full profile · All Tennessee law schools
FAQ
Is University of Memphis or Tennessee harder to get into?
Tennessee is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 164 against University of Memphis's 155.
Which is cheaper, University of Memphis or Tennessee?
Tennessee is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $16,696 versus University of Memphis's $18,634.
Which has better bar passage, University of Memphis or Tennessee?
Tennessee has the higher first-time bar passage, 91.94% against University of Memphis's 73.4%.
Which has better job outcomes, University of Memphis or Tennessee?
Tennessee places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (92.7% vs 91.5%).
University of Memphis vs Tennessee: 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), Tennessee 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.