Minnesota vs. Mitchell/Hamline: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
Both are Minnesota law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Minnesota is the more selective admit (median LSAT 171 vs 154); Minnesota posts the higher first-time bar passage (94.09% vs 70.98%); Minnesota is cheaper on sticker tuition ($51,440 vs $55,300); Minnesota places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (95.5% vs 83.7%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Minnesota | Mitchell/Hamline | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 171 | 154 | Minnesota |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.88 | 3.29 | Minnesota |
| Acceptance rate | 26.7% | 51.4% | Minnesota |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $51,440 | $55,300 | Minnesota |
| Non-resident tuition | $61,845 | $55,300 | Mitchell/Hamline |
| Median grant | $35,000 | $34,730 | Minnesota |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 94.09% | 70.98% | Minnesota |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 98.22% | 85.02% | Minnesota |
| Bar passage vs. state average | +10.7 pts | -10.6 pts | Minnesota |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 95.5% | 83.7% | Minnesota |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 23.5% | 1.5% | Minnesota |
| Federal clerkships | 3.2% | 0.6% | Minnesota |
15-year trajectory
Full profiles & related
Minnesota full profile · Mitchell/Hamline full profile · All Minnesota law schools
FAQ
Is Minnesota or Mitchell/Hamline harder to get into?
Minnesota is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 171 against Mitchell/Hamline's 154.
Which is cheaper, Minnesota or Mitchell/Hamline?
Minnesota is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $51,440 versus Mitchell/Hamline's $55,300.
Which has better bar passage, Minnesota or Mitchell/Hamline?
Minnesota has the higher first-time bar passage, 94.09% against Mitchell/Hamline's 70.98%.
Which has better job outcomes, Minnesota or Mitchell/Hamline?
Minnesota places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (95.5% vs 83.7%).
Minnesota vs Mitchell/Hamline: 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), Minnesota 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.