Baltimore vs. California Western: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared

On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Baltimore posts the higher first-time bar passage (70.71% vs 62.91%); Baltimore is cheaper on sticker tuition ($33,944 vs $64,720); Baltimore places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (85.8% vs 79%).

Side by side (ABA Standard 509)

MetricBaltimoreCalifornia WesternBetter
Admissions
Median LSAT155155Tie
Median undergraduate GPA3.453.50California Western
Acceptance rate49.5%46.9%California Western
Cost
Resident tuition$33,944$64,720Baltimore
Non-resident tuition$50,624$64,720Baltimore
Median grant$15,000$37,440California Western
Bar passage
First-time bar passage70.71%62.91%Baltimore
Two-year ultimate bar passage78.36%73.95%Baltimore
Bar passage vs. state average+0.1 pts-14.6 ptsBaltimore
Employment
Full-time, long-term JD employment85.8%79%Baltimore
Large-firm (250+) employment3.5%6.3%California Western
Federal clerkships0.5%1.5%California Western

15-year trajectory

First-time bar passage: 80.2% in 2011 to 70.71% in 202550%60%70%80%90%111315182022242570.71%
First-time bar passage · 2011–2025
Baltimore — First-time bar passage
First-time bar passage: 70.61% in 2011 to 62.91% in 202540%50%60%70%80%90%111315182022242562.91%
First-time bar passage · 2011–2025
California Western — First-time bar passage
Resident tuition: $25,798 in 2011 to $33,944 in 2025$25,000$27,500$30,000$32,500$35,0001113151719212325$33,944
Resident tuition · 2011–2025
Baltimore — Resident tuition
Resident tuition: $42,700 in 2011 to $64,720 in 2025$40,000$50,000$60,000$70,0001113151719212325$64,720
Resident tuition · 2011–2025
California Western — Resident tuition

Full profiles & related

Baltimore full profile · California Western full profile

FAQ

Which is cheaper, Baltimore or California Western?

Baltimore is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $33,944 versus California Western's $64,720.

Which has better bar passage, Baltimore or California Western?

Baltimore has the higher first-time bar passage, 70.71% against California Western's 62.91%.

Which has better job outcomes, Baltimore or California Western?

Baltimore places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (85.8% vs 79%).

Baltimore vs California Western: 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), Baltimore 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.

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