University of Akron vs. Cincinnati: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
Both are Ohio law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Cincinnati is the more selective admit (median LSAT 159 vs 154); Cincinnati posts the higher first-time bar passage (85.59% vs 72.09%); University of Akron is cheaper on sticker tuition ($22,359 vs $24,010); Cincinnati places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (91.3% vs 89.5%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | University of Akron | Cincinnati | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 154 | 159 | Cincinnati |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.51 | 3.80 | Cincinnati |
| Acceptance rate | 58.5% | 32.7% | Cincinnati |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $22,359 | $24,010 | University of Akron |
| Non-resident tuition | $22,359 | $29,010 | University of Akron |
| Median grant | $9,000 | $19,000 | Cincinnati |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 72.09% | 85.59% | Cincinnati |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 95% | 91.67% | University of Akron |
| Bar passage vs. state average | -8.4 pts | +5 pts | Cincinnati |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 89.5% | 91.3% | Cincinnati |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 5.3% | 14.9% | Cincinnati |
| Federal clerkships | 0.8% | 0.8% | Tie |
15-year trajectory
Full profiles & related
University of Akron full profile · Cincinnati full profile · All Ohio law schools
FAQ
Is University of Akron or Cincinnati harder to get into?
Cincinnati is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 159 against University of Akron's 154.
Which is cheaper, University of Akron or Cincinnati?
University of Akron is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $22,359 versus Cincinnati's $24,010.
Which has better bar passage, University of Akron or Cincinnati?
Cincinnati has the higher first-time bar passage, 85.59% against University of Akron's 72.09%.
Which has better job outcomes, University of Akron or Cincinnati?
Cincinnati places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (91.3% vs 89.5%).
University of Akron vs Cincinnati: 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), Cincinnati 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.