The call

University of Akron vs. Northern Kentucky University: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared

On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Northern Kentucky University posts the higher first-time bar passage (73.8% vs 72.1%); University of Akron is cheaper on sticker tuition ($22,359 vs $24,388); University of Akron places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (89.5% vs 84.4%).

Side by side (ABA Standard 509)

MetricUniversity of AkronNorthern Kentucky UniversityBetter
Admissions
Median LSAT154154Tie
Median undergraduate GPA3.513.41University of Akron
Acceptance rate58.5%58.7%University of Akron
Cost
Resident tuition$22,359$24,388University of Akron
Non-resident tuition$22,359$38,454University of Akron
Median grant$9,000$18,000Northern Kentucky University
Bar passage
First-time bar passage72.1%73.8%Northern Kentucky University
Two-year ultimate bar passage95.0%82.9%University of Akron
Bar passage vs. state average-8.4 pts-5.7 ptsNorthern Kentucky University
Employment
Full-time, long-term JD employment89.5%84.4%University of Akron
Large-firm (250+) employment5.3%11.5%Northern Kentucky University
Federal clerkships0.8%2.1%Northern Kentucky University

trajectory since 2011

First-time bar passage: 94.5% in 2011 to 72.1% in 202550.0%60.0%70.0%80.0%90.0%100.0%111315182022242572.1%
First-time bar passage · 2011–2025
University of Akron — First-time bar passage
First-time bar passage: 83.0% in 2011 to 73.8% in 202550.0%60.0%70.0%80.0%90.0%111315182022242573.8%
First-time bar passage · 2011–2025
Northern Kentucky University — First-time bar passage
Resident tuition: $21,873 in 2011 to $22,359 in 2025$21,000$22,000$23,000$24,000$25,0001113151719212325$22,359
Resident tuition · 2011–2025
University of Akron — Resident tuition
Resident tuition: $15,886 in 2011 to $24,388 in 2025$15,000$17,500$20,000$22,500$25,0001113151719212325$24,388
Resident tuition · 2011–2025
Northern Kentucky University — Resident tuition

Full profiles & related

FAQ

Which is cheaper, University of Akron or Northern Kentucky University?

University of Akron is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $22,359 versus Northern Kentucky University's $24,388.

Which has better bar passage, University of Akron or Northern Kentucky University?

Northern Kentucky University has the higher first-time bar passage, 73.8% against University of Akron's 72.1%.

Which has better job outcomes, University of Akron or Northern Kentucky University?

University of Akron places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (89.5% vs 84.4%).

University of Akron vs Northern Kentucky University: 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), University of Akron 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.

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