Appalachian vs. Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Appalachian is the more selective admit (median LSAT 146 vs 139); Appalachian posts the higher first-time bar passage (63.16% vs 54.9%); Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico is cheaper on sticker tuition ($15,660 vs $41,000); Appalachian places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (65.1% vs 38.8%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Appalachian | Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 146 | 139 | Appalachian |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.20 | 3.33 | Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico |
| Acceptance rate | 60.9% | 61.5% | Appalachian |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $41,000 | $15,660 | Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico |
| Non-resident tuition | $41,000 | $15,660 | Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico |
| Median grant | $10,250 | $1,593 | Appalachian |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 63.16% | 54.9% | Appalachian |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 89.47% | 62.03% | Appalachian |
| Bar passage vs. state average | -14 pts | +2.8 pts | Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 65.1% | 38.8% | Appalachian |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 0% | 0% | Tie |
| Federal clerkships | 0% | 0% | Tie |
15-year trajectory
Full profiles & related
Appalachian full profile · Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico full profile
FAQ
Is Appalachian or Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico harder to get into?
Appalachian is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 146 against Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico's 139.
Which is cheaper, Appalachian or Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico?
Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $15,660 versus Appalachian's $41,000.
Which has better bar passage, Appalachian or Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico?
Appalachian has the higher first-time bar passage, 63.16% against Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico's 54.9%.
Which has better job outcomes, Appalachian or Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico?
Appalachian places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (65.1% vs 38.8%).
Appalachian vs Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico: 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), Appalachian 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.