Albany Law School vs. New York Law School: 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); New York Law School posts the higher first-time bar passage (81.9% vs 74.27%); Albany Law School is cheaper on sticker tuition ($63,994 vs $71,052); Albany Law School places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (91.6% vs 85.9%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Albany Law School | New York Law School | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 158 | 157 | Albany Law School |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.54 | 3.63 | New York Law School |
| Acceptance rate | 37.5% | 39.7% | Albany Law School |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $63,994 | $71,052 | Albany Law School |
| Non-resident tuition | $63,994 | $71,052 | Albany Law School |
| Median grant | $38,000 | $40,000 | New York Law School |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 74.27% | 81.9% | New York Law School |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 88.68% | 89.31% | New York Law School |
| Bar passage vs. state average | -11.5 pts | -2.8 pts | New York Law School |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 91.6% | 85.9% | Albany Law School |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 8.9% | 12.2% | New York Law School |
| Federal clerkships | 1.6% | 1% | Albany Law School |
15-year trajectory
Full profiles & related
Albany Law School full profile · New York Law School full profile · All New York law schools
FAQ
Is Albany Law School or New York Law School harder to get into?
Albany Law School is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 158 against New York Law School's 157.
Which is cheaper, Albany Law School or New York Law School?
Albany Law School is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $63,994 versus New York Law School's $71,052.
Which has better bar passage, Albany Law School or New York Law School?
New York Law School has the higher first-time bar passage, 81.9% against Albany Law School's 74.27%.
Which has better job outcomes, Albany Law School or New York Law School?
Albany Law School places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (91.6% vs 85.9%).
Albany Law School vs New York Law School: 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), Albany Law School 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.