Mississippi College 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 63.41%); South Dakota is cheaper on sticker tuition ($12,076 vs $37,980); Mississippi College places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (92.2% vs 86.6%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Mississippi College | South Dakota | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 152 | 152 | Tie |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.37 | 3.47 | South Dakota |
| Acceptance rate | 59.8% | 62.5% | Mississippi College |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $37,980 | $12,076 | South Dakota |
| Non-resident tuition | $37,980 | $32,184 | South Dakota |
| Median grant | $22,000 | $5,000 | Mississippi College |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 63.41% | 72.6% | South Dakota |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 82.52% | 92.31% | South Dakota |
| Bar passage vs. state average | -16.2 pts | -6 pts | South Dakota |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 92.2% | 86.6% | Mississippi College |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 1% | 0% | Mississippi College |
| Federal clerkships | 7.8% | 3.7% | Mississippi College |
15-year trajectory
Full profiles & related
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FAQ
Which is cheaper, Mississippi College or South Dakota?
South Dakota is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $12,076 versus Mississippi College's $37,980.
Which has better bar passage, Mississippi College or South Dakota?
South Dakota has the higher first-time bar passage, 72.6% against Mississippi College's 63.41%.
Which has better job outcomes, Mississippi College or South Dakota?
Mississippi College places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (92.2% vs 86.6%).
Mississippi College 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.