Law Schools in Iowa
2 ABA-approved schools · ABA disclosures · updated November 2, 2026
Iowa has two ABA-approved law schools: one public and one private. Median LSAT scores for the class that entered in fall 2025 run from 156 at Drake University to 164 at the University of Iowa.
Iowa law schools compared
| School | Median LSAT | Median GPA | Accepted | Tuition | Bar pass | Lawyer jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Iowa College of Law Iowa City · Public | 164 | 3.78 | 44.4% | $33,489 | 91.4% | 91.1% |
| Drake University Law School Des Moines · Private | 156 | 3.67 | 54.8% | $51,390 | 77.2% | 86% |
Tuition is full-time tuition and fees for 2025-26, at the in-state rate for public schools. Bar pass is the first-time rate on 2025 exams in every state where graduates sat; lawyer jobs is the share of 2025 graduates in full-time, long-term jobs requiring bar passage. Each school's page has the detail.
The University of Iowa had the highest first-time bar passage rate, 91.4%. The University of Iowa placed the largest share of 2025 graduates in lawyer jobs, 91.1%. The University of Iowa was the hardest to get into, accepting 44.4% of applicants. The University of Iowa charged the least, $33,489.
The Iowa bar exam
In 2025, 77.9% of graduates of ABA-approved law schools who took the Iowa bar exam for the first time passed, as the ABA reports it. That is the yardstick each school's rate is compared with when its graduates sit here.
Graduates of these schools took it most often in 2025 (schools with at least 10 first-time takers here):
| School | Takers | Passed | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drake University | 93 | 73 | 78.5% |
| University of Iowa | 46 | 44 | 95.7% |
Out-of-state schools that send graduates to Iowa
Each school reports the three states where most of its employed graduates work. These schools outside Iowa count it among their top three:
- University of South Dakota (SD): 5 employed 2025 graduates
Practicing in Iowa: Iowa Rules of Civil Procedure · Iowa procedural guides.
Check your own numbers against these schools with the LSAT and GPA school finder.
Frequently asked questions
How many law schools are in Iowa?
Iowa has 2 ABA-approved law schools: Drake University Law School, The University of Iowa College of Law.
Which Iowa law school has the highest bar passage rate?
The University of Iowa College of Law, where 91.4% of first-time takers passed in 2025.
What is the cheapest law school in Iowa?
The University of Iowa College of Law, at $33,489 a year in full-time tuition and fees for 2025-26 (in-state rate).
What is the hardest law school to get into in Iowa?
By acceptance rate, The University of Iowa College of Law, which accepted 44.4% of applicants for fall 2025, with a median LSAT of 164.
What is the Iowa bar exam pass rate?
In 2025, 77.9% of first-time takers from ABA-approved law schools passed the Iowa bar exam, as the ABA reports it.