Appalachian vs. Richmond: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
Both are Virginia law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Richmond is the more selective admit (median LSAT 164 vs 146); Richmond posts the higher first-time bar passage (80.13% vs 63.16%); Appalachian is cheaper on sticker tuition ($41,000 vs $57,700); Richmond places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (92.3% vs 65.1%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Appalachian | Richmond | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 146 | 164 | Richmond |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.20 | 3.81 | Richmond |
| Acceptance rate | 60.9% | 39.6% | Richmond |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $41,000 | $57,700 | Appalachian |
| Non-resident tuition | $41,000 | $57,700 | Appalachian |
| Median grant | $10,250 | $40,000 | Richmond |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 63.16% | 80.13% | Richmond |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 89.47% | 93.55% | Richmond |
| Bar passage vs. state average | -14 pts | +2.8 pts | Richmond |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 65.1% | 92.3% | Richmond |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 0% | 10.2% | Richmond |
| Federal clerkships | 0% | 2.6% | Richmond |
15-year trajectory
Full profiles & related
Appalachian full profile · Richmond full profile · All Virginia law schools
FAQ
Is Appalachian or Richmond harder to get into?
Richmond is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 164 against Appalachian's 146.
Which is cheaper, Appalachian or Richmond?
Appalachian is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $41,000 versus Richmond's $57,700.
Which has better bar passage, Appalachian or Richmond?
Richmond has the higher first-time bar passage, 80.13% against Appalachian's 63.16%.
Which has better job outcomes, Appalachian or Richmond?
Richmond places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (92.3% vs 65.1%).
Appalachian vs Richmond: 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), Richmond 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.