American University vs. Connecticut: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Connecticut posts the higher first-time bar passage (84% vs 81.28%); Connecticut is cheaper on sticker tuition ($30,354 vs $66,990); Connecticut places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (90.1% vs 82.5%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | American University | Connecticut | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 162 | 162 | Tie |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.63 | 3.78 | Connecticut |
| Acceptance rate | 33.3% | 20.1% | Connecticut |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $66,990 | $30,354 | Connecticut |
| Non-resident tuition | $66,990 | $61,396 | Connecticut |
| Median grant | $40,000 | $15,177 | American University |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 81.28% | 84% | Connecticut |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 85.67% | 91.37% | Connecticut |
| Bar passage vs. state average | -0.7 pts | +8.2 pts | Connecticut |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 82.5% | 90.1% | Connecticut |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 15.8% | 18.3% | Connecticut |
| Federal clerkships | 1% | 0.7% | American University |
15-year trajectory
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FAQ
Which is cheaper, American University or Connecticut?
Connecticut is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $30,354 versus American University's $66,990.
Which has better bar passage, American University or Connecticut?
Connecticut has the higher first-time bar passage, 84% against American University's 81.28%.
Which has better job outcomes, American University or Connecticut?
Connecticut places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (90.1% vs 82.5%).
American University vs Connecticut: 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), Connecticut 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.