California-San Francisco vs. Chapman University: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
Both are California law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Chapman University is the more selective admit (median LSAT 163 vs 161); California-San Francisco posts the higher first-time bar passage (83.84% vs 74.13%); California-San Francisco is cheaper on sticker tuition ($53,087 vs $63,126); California-San Francisco places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (91.2% vs 85.4%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | California-San Francisco | Chapman University | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 161 | 163 | Chapman University |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.71 | 3.70 | California-San Francisco |
| Acceptance rate | 27.5% | 20.5% | Chapman University |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $53,087 | $63,126 | California-San Francisco |
| Non-resident tuition | $61,773 | $63,126 | California-San Francisco |
| Median grant | $20,000 | $59,500 | Chapman University |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 83.84% | 74.13% | California-San Francisco |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 89.67% | 95.3% | Chapman University |
| Bar passage vs. state average | +6 pts | -3.5 pts | California-San Francisco |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 91.2% | 85.4% | California-San Francisco |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 28% | 12.3% | California-San Francisco |
| Federal clerkships | 0% | 3.8% | Chapman University |
15-year trajectory
Full profiles & related
California-San Francisco full profile · Chapman University full profile · All California law schools
FAQ
Is California-San Francisco or Chapman University harder to get into?
Chapman University is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 163 against California-San Francisco's 161.
Which is cheaper, California-San Francisco or Chapman University?
California-San Francisco is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $53,087 versus Chapman University's $63,126.
Which has better bar passage, California-San Francisco or Chapman University?
California-San Francisco has the higher first-time bar passage, 83.84% against Chapman University's 74.13%.
Which has better job outcomes, California-San Francisco or Chapman University?
California-San Francisco places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (91.2% vs 85.4%).
California-San Francisco 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-San Francisco 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.