Michigan Law Schools
5 ABA-Accredited Law Schools • 41,065 active attorneys
All Michigan Law Schools
Compare all 5 ABA-accredited law schools in Michigan. Click column headers to sort.
Table Legend
| University of Michigan | #9 | 171 | 3.88 | 9% | 54.5% | 94.2% | $79K |
| Wayne State University | #62 | 164 | 3.89 | 25% | 4.8% | 73.8% | $43K |
| Michigan State University | #108 | 162 | 3.73 | 26% | 4.6% | 77.3% | $48K |
| University of Detroit Mercy | #142 | 156 | 3.52 | 41% | 2.6% | 71.5% | $48K |
| Thomas M. Cooley Law School | #175 | 147 | 3.09 | 53% | 0.7% | 51.5% | $47K |
Michigan Bar Exam 2024: Pass Rates & Difficulty
Bar exam statistics and difficulty rating for Michigan law school graduates
Pass Rate Comparison
Understanding Bar Exam Difficulty
Rating 1 (Easiest, 88%+): Very high pass rates indicating easier bar exams or exceptional law school preparation.
Rating 2 (Below Average Difficulty, 83-88%): Above-average pass rates showing moderate difficulty.
Rating 3 (Average Difficulty, 76-83%): Pass rates near national average of ~79%.
Rating 4 (Difficult, 70-76%): Below-average pass rates indicating challenging bar exams.
Rating 5 (Most Difficult, <70%): Significantly below national average. California (68%) and Florida (72%) are notably difficult.
Note: Bar difficulty rating based solely on first-time pass rates from ABA 2024 Bar Passage Statistics. Lower pass rates indicate more challenging bar exams. Individual law school preparation quality also affects outcomes.
Michigan Legal Market Overview
Employment opportunities and top legal employers in Michigan
Market Overview
Michigan's legal market is centered in Detroit and Ann Arbor, with traditional strength in automotive and manufacturing law. The state is experiencing growth in tech and entrepreneurship, particularly around University of Michigan. Detroit's bankruptcy and restructuring created unique opportunities, while the state offers strong public interest and government sectors.
Top Legal Employers in Michigan
Includes BigLaw firms, government offices, and public interest organizations. Rankings are not ordered by size or prestige.
Career Paths in Michigan
Private Sector
- • BigLaw firms (501+ attorneys)
- • Midsize firms (50-100 attorneys)
- • Regional and boutique firms
- • Solo practice and small firms
- • In-house corporate counsel
Public Sector
- • Federal clerkships
- • State and federal prosecutors
- • Public defenders
- • Government agencies
- • Public interest organizations
Frequently Asked Questions
This is backward-looking data that relies on assumptions. Different outcomes are possible. This is not financial advice.