Northern Illinois University vs. Roger Williams University: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared

On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Northern Illinois University posts the higher first-time bar passage (57.14% vs 57.06%); Northern Illinois University is cheaper on sticker tuition ($23,667 vs $47,400); Roger Williams University places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (82.8% vs 77.6%).

Side by side (ABA Standard 509)

MetricNorthern Illinois UniversityRoger Williams UniversityBetter
Admissions
Median LSAT150150Tie
Median undergraduate GPA3.413.43Roger Williams University
Acceptance rate44.3%61.3%Northern Illinois University
Cost
Resident tuition$23,667$47,400Northern Illinois University
Non-resident tuition$23,667$47,400Northern Illinois University
Median grant$8,274$28,000Roger Williams University
Bar passage
First-time bar passage57.14%57.06%Northern Illinois University
Two-year ultimate bar passage82.95%76.16%Northern Illinois University
Bar passage vs. state average-21.5 pts-19.3 ptsRoger Williams University
Employment
Full-time, long-term JD employment77.6%82.8%Roger Williams University
Large-firm (250+) employment0.9%1.8%Roger Williams University
Federal clerkships0%0%Tie

15-year trajectory

First-time bar passage: 82.22% in 2011 to 57.14% in 202550%60%70%80%90%111315182022242557.14%
First-time bar passage · 2011–2025
Northern Illinois University — First-time bar passage
First-time bar passage: 82.26% in 2011 to 57.06% in 202540%60%80%100%111315182022242557.06%
First-time bar passage · 2011–2025
Roger Williams University — First-time bar passage
Resident tuition: $18,688 in 2011 to $23,667 in 2025$18,000$20,000$22,000$24,000$26,0001113151719212325$23,667
Resident tuition · 2011–2025
Northern Illinois University — Resident tuition
Resident tuition: $39,550 in 2011 to $47,400 in 2025$30,000$35,000$40,000$45,000$50,0001113151719212325$47,400
Resident tuition · 2011–2025
Roger Williams University — Resident tuition

Full profiles & related

FAQ

Which is cheaper, Northern Illinois University or Roger Williams University?

Northern Illinois University is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $23,667 versus Roger Williams University's $47,400.

Which has better bar passage, Northern Illinois University or Roger Williams University?

Northern Illinois University has the higher first-time bar passage, 57.14% against Roger Williams University's 57.06%.

Which has better job outcomes, Northern Illinois University or Roger Williams University?

Roger Williams University places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (82.8% vs 77.6%).

Northern Illinois University vs Roger Williams University: 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), Northern Illinois University 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.

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