Albany Law School vs. Buffalo, University at: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
Both are New York law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Albany Law School is the more selective admit (median LSAT 158 vs 157); Buffalo, University at posts the higher first-time bar passage (85.71% vs 74.27%); Buffalo, University at is cheaper on sticker tuition ($26,430 vs $63,994); Buffalo, University at places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (94.9% vs 91.6%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Albany Law School | Buffalo, University at | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 158 | 157 | Albany Law School |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.54 | 3.71 | Buffalo, University at |
| Acceptance rate | 37.5% | 42.4% | Albany Law School |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $63,994 | $26,430 | Buffalo, University at |
| Non-resident tuition | $63,994 | $32,100 | Buffalo, University at |
| Median grant | $38,000 | $7,500 | Albany Law School |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 74.27% | 85.71% | Buffalo, University at |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 88.68% | 86.92% | Albany Law School |
| Bar passage vs. state average | -11.5 pts | -0.5 pts | Buffalo, University at |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 91.6% | 94.9% | Buffalo, University at |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 8.9% | 10.2% | Buffalo, University at |
| Federal clerkships | 1.6% | 0.7% | Albany Law School |
15-year trajectory
Full profiles & related
Albany Law School full profile · Buffalo, University at full profile · All New York law schools
FAQ
Is Albany Law School or Buffalo, University at harder to get into?
Albany Law School is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 158 against Buffalo, University at's 157.
Which is cheaper, Albany Law School or Buffalo, University at?
Buffalo, University at is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $26,430 versus Albany Law School's $63,994.
Which has better bar passage, Albany Law School or Buffalo, University at?
Buffalo, University at has the higher first-time bar passage, 85.71% against Albany Law School's 74.27%.
Which has better job outcomes, Albany Law School or Buffalo, University at?
Buffalo, University at places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (94.9% vs 91.6%).
Albany Law School vs Buffalo, University at: 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), Buffalo, University at 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.