Baltimore vs. West Virginia University: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared

On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, West Virginia University posts the higher first-time bar passage (78.3% vs 70.71%); West Virginia University is cheaper on sticker tuition ($26,370 vs $33,944); Baltimore places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (85.8% vs 80.2%).

Side by side (ABA Standard 509)

MetricBaltimoreWest Virginia UniversityBetter
Admissions
Median LSAT155155Tie
Median undergraduate GPA3.453.65West Virginia University
Acceptance rate49.5%40.3%West Virginia University
Cost
Resident tuition$33,944$26,370West Virginia University
Non-resident tuition$50,624$45,666West Virginia University
Median grant$15,000$17,500West Virginia University
Bar passage
First-time bar passage70.71%78.3%West Virginia University
Two-year ultimate bar passage78.36%86%West Virginia University
Bar passage vs. state average+0.1 pts+1.8 ptsWest Virginia University
Employment
Full-time, long-term JD employment85.8%80.2%Baltimore
Large-firm (250+) employment3.5%8.8%West Virginia University
Federal clerkships0.5%3.3%West Virginia University

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: 72.82% in 2011 to 78.3% in 202550%60%70%80%90%111315182022242578.3%
First-time bar passage · 2011–2025
West Virginia University — 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: $16,423 in 2011 to $26,370 in 2025$15,000$20,000$25,000$30,0001113151719212325$26,370
Resident tuition · 2011–2025
West Virginia University — Resident tuition

Full profiles & related

Baltimore full profile · West Virginia University full profile

FAQ

Which is cheaper, Baltimore or West Virginia University?

West Virginia University is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $26,370 versus Baltimore's $33,944.

Which has better bar passage, Baltimore or West Virginia University?

West Virginia University has the higher first-time bar passage, 78.3% against Baltimore's 70.71%.

Which has better job outcomes, Baltimore or West Virginia University?

Baltimore places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (85.8% vs 80.2%).

Baltimore vs West Virginia University: 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), West Virginia University 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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