Northern Illinois University vs. Southern Illinois University: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
Both are Illinois law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Northern Illinois University is the more selective admit (median LSAT 150 vs 149); Southern Illinois University posts the higher first-time bar passage (59.49% vs 57.14%); Southern Illinois University is cheaper on sticker tuition ($15,863 vs $23,667); Southern Illinois University places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (81.1% vs 77.6%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Northern Illinois University | Southern Illinois University | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 150 | 149 | Northern Illinois University |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.41 | 3.38 | Northern Illinois University |
| Acceptance rate | 44.3% | 56.2% | Northern Illinois University |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $23,667 | $15,863 | Southern Illinois University |
| Non-resident tuition | $23,667 | $15,863 | Southern Illinois University |
| Median grant | $8,274 | $9,500 | Southern Illinois University |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 57.14% | 59.49% | Southern Illinois University |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 82.95% | 78.57% | Northern Illinois University |
| Bar passage vs. state average | -21.5 pts | -19.7 pts | Southern Illinois University |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 77.6% | 81.1% | Southern Illinois University |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 0.9% | 2.8% | Southern Illinois University |
| Federal clerkships | 0% | 0% | Tie |
15-year trajectory
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Northern Illinois University full profile · Southern Illinois University full profile · All Illinois law schools
FAQ
Is Northern Illinois University or Southern Illinois University harder to get into?
Northern Illinois University is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 150 against Southern Illinois University's 149.
Which is cheaper, Northern Illinois University or Southern Illinois University?
Southern Illinois University is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $15,863 versus Northern Illinois University's $23,667.
Which has better bar passage, Northern Illinois University or Southern Illinois University?
Southern Illinois University has the higher first-time bar passage, 59.49% against Northern Illinois University's 57.14%.
Which has better job outcomes, Northern Illinois University or Southern Illinois University?
Southern Illinois University places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (81.1% vs 77.6%).
Northern Illinois University vs Southern Illinois 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), Southern 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.