Baltimore vs. City University of New York: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Baltimore posts the higher first-time bar passage (70.71% vs 65.67%); City University of New York is cheaper on sticker tuition ($15,450 vs $33,944); Baltimore places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (85.8% vs 80.7%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Baltimore | City University of New York | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 155 | 155 | Tie |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.45 | 3.54 | City University of New York |
| Acceptance rate | 49.5% | 28.6% | City University of New York |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $33,944 | $15,450 | City University of New York |
| Non-resident tuition | $50,624 | $25,640 | City University of New York |
| Median grant | $15,000 | $8,000 | Baltimore |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 70.71% | 65.67% | Baltimore |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 78.36% | 89.01% | City University of New York |
| Bar passage vs. state average | +0.1 pts | -20.3 pts | Baltimore |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 85.8% | 80.7% | Baltimore |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 3.5% | 2% | Baltimore |
| Federal clerkships | 0.5% | 0% | Baltimore |
15-year trajectory
Full profiles & related
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FAQ
Which is cheaper, Baltimore or City University of New York?
City University of New York is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $15,450 versus Baltimore's $33,944.
Which has better bar passage, Baltimore or City University of New York?
Baltimore has the higher first-time bar passage, 70.71% against City University of New York's 65.67%.
Which has better job outcomes, Baltimore or City University of New York?
Baltimore places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (85.8% vs 80.7%).
Baltimore vs City University of New York: 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.