California-Davis vs. Chapman University: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
Both are California law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, California-Davis is the more selective admit (median LSAT 165 vs 163); California-Davis posts the higher first-time bar passage (88.9% vs 74.1%); California-Davis is cheaper on sticker tuition ($57,460 vs $63,126); California-Davis places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (94.6% vs 85.4%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | California-Davis | Chapman University | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 165 | 163 | California-Davis |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.70 | 3.70 | Tie |
| Acceptance rate | 16.0% | 20.5% | California-Davis |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $57,460 | $63,126 | California-Davis |
| Non-resident tuition | $69,705 | $63,126 | Chapman University |
| Median grant | $25,000 | $59,500 | Chapman University |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 88.9% | 74.1% | California-Davis |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 92.8% | 95.3% | Chapman University |
| Bar passage vs. state average | +11.2 pts | -3.5 pts | California-Davis |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 94.6% | 85.4% | California-Davis |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 25.5% | 12.3% | California-Davis |
| Federal clerkships | 1.5% | 3.8% | Chapman University |
trajectory since 2011
Full profiles & related
California-Davis full profile · Chapman University full profile · Pin both on the interactive map → · All California law schools
FAQ
Is California-Davis or Chapman University harder to get into?
California-Davis is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 165 against Chapman University's 163.
Which is cheaper, California-Davis or Chapman University?
California-Davis is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $57,460 versus Chapman University's $63,126.
Which has better bar passage, California-Davis or Chapman University?
California-Davis has the higher first-time bar passage, 88.9% against Chapman University's 74.1%.
Which has better job outcomes, California-Davis or Chapman University?
California-Davis places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (94.6% vs 85.4%).
California-Davis vs Chapman 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), California-Davis 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.