Baltimore vs. Maryland: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared

Both are Maryland law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Maryland is the more selective admit (median LSAT 164 vs 155); Maryland posts the higher first-time bar passage (82.1% vs 70.71%); Baltimore is cheaper on sticker tuition ($33,944 vs $37,830); Maryland places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (91.3% vs 85.8%).

Side by side (ABA Standard 509)

MetricBaltimoreMarylandBetter
Admissions
Median LSAT155164Maryland
Median undergraduate GPA3.453.72Maryland
Acceptance rate49.5%26.1%Maryland
Cost
Resident tuition$33,944$37,830Baltimore
Non-resident tuition$50,624$55,844Baltimore
Median grant$15,000$28,000Maryland
Bar passage
First-time bar passage70.71%82.1%Maryland
Two-year ultimate bar passage78.36%89.47%Maryland
Bar passage vs. state average+0.1 pts+9.9 ptsMaryland
Employment
Full-time, long-term JD employment85.8%91.3%Maryland
Large-firm (250+) employment3.5%13%Maryland
Federal clerkships0.5%1.9%Maryland

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: 86.14% in 2011 to 82.1% in 202570%75%80%85%90%111315182022242582.1%
First-time bar passage · 2011–2025
Maryland — 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: $25,405 in 2011 to $37,830 in 2025$20,000$25,000$30,000$35,000$40,0001113151719212325$37,830
Resident tuition · 2011–2025
Maryland — Resident tuition

Full profiles & related

Baltimore full profile · Maryland full profile · All Maryland law schools

FAQ

Is Baltimore or Maryland harder to get into?

Maryland is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 164 against Baltimore's 155.

Which is cheaper, Baltimore or Maryland?

Baltimore is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $33,944 versus Maryland's $37,830.

Which has better bar passage, Baltimore or Maryland?

Maryland has the higher first-time bar passage, 82.1% against Baltimore's 70.71%.

Which has better job outcomes, Baltimore or Maryland?

Maryland places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (91.3% vs 85.8%).

Baltimore vs Maryland: 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), Maryland 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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