Southern Methodist University vs. Wisconsin: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Southern Methodist University posts the higher first-time bar passage (90.2% vs 80.0%); Wisconsin is cheaper on sticker tuition ($36,526 vs $60,844); Southern Methodist University places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (98.2% vs 95.3%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Southern Methodist University | Wisconsin | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 167 | 167 | Tie |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.81 | 3.81 | Tie |
| Acceptance rate | 24.6% | 19.1% | Wisconsin |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $60,844 | $36,526 | Wisconsin |
| Non-resident tuition | $60,844 | $53,640 | Wisconsin |
| Median grant | $26,000 | $35,000 | Wisconsin |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 90.2% | 80.0% | Southern Methodist University |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 94.4% | 85.7% | Southern Methodist University |
| Bar passage vs. state average | +8.8 pts | +1.3 pts | Southern Methodist University |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 98.2% | 95.3% | Southern Methodist University |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 38.2% | 19.2% | Southern Methodist University |
| Federal clerkships | 3.6% | 3.5% | Southern Methodist University |
trajectory since 2011
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FAQ
Which is cheaper, Southern Methodist University or Wisconsin?
Wisconsin is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $36,526 versus Southern Methodist University's $60,844.
Which has better bar passage, Southern Methodist University or Wisconsin?
Southern Methodist University has the higher first-time bar passage, 90.2% against Wisconsin's 80.0%.
Which has better job outcomes, Southern Methodist University or Wisconsin?
Southern Methodist University places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (98.2% vs 95.3%).
Southern Methodist University vs Wisconsin: 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 Methodist 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.