Richmond vs. William & Mary: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
Both are Virginia law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, William & Mary is the more selective admit (median LSAT 166 vs 164); William & Mary posts the higher first-time bar passage (83.63% vs 80.13%); William & Mary is cheaper on sticker tuition ($38,734 vs $57,700); William & Mary places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (93.5% vs 92.3%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Richmond | William & Mary | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 164 | 166 | William & Mary |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.81 | 3.82 | William & Mary |
| Acceptance rate | 39.6% | 22% | William & Mary |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $57,700 | $38,734 | William & Mary |
| Non-resident tuition | $57,700 | $62,900 | Richmond |
| Median grant | $40,000 | $29,302 | Richmond |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 80.13% | 83.63% | William & Mary |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 93.55% | 98.61% | William & Mary |
| Bar passage vs. state average | +2.8 pts | +3.6 pts | William & Mary |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 92.3% | 93.5% | William & Mary |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 10.2% | 23.6% | William & Mary |
| Federal clerkships | 2.6% | 6% | William & Mary |
15-year trajectory
Full profiles & related
Richmond full profile · William & Mary full profile · All Virginia law schools
FAQ
Is Richmond or William & Mary harder to get into?
William & Mary is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 166 against Richmond's 164.
Which is cheaper, Richmond or William & Mary?
William & Mary is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $38,734 versus Richmond's $57,700.
Which has better bar passage, Richmond or William & Mary?
William & Mary has the higher first-time bar passage, 83.63% against Richmond's 80.13%.
Which has better job outcomes, Richmond or William & Mary?
William & Mary places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (93.5% vs 92.3%).
Richmond vs William & Mary: 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), William & Mary 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.