California Western vs. University of the Pacific: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
Both are California law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, University of the Pacific is the more selective admit (median LSAT 156 vs 155); University of the Pacific posts the higher first-time bar passage (70.5% vs 62.9%); University of the Pacific is cheaper on sticker tuition ($62,678 vs $64,720); University of the Pacific places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (79.7% vs 79.0%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | California Western | University of the Pacific | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 155 | 156 | University of the Pacific |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.50 | 3.52 | University of the Pacific |
| Acceptance rate | 46.9% | 54.4% | California Western |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $64,720 | $62,678 | University of the Pacific |
| Non-resident tuition | $64,720 | $62,678 | University of the Pacific |
| Median grant | $37,440 | $30,426 | California Western |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 62.9% | 70.5% | University of the Pacific |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 74.0% | 86.0% | University of the Pacific |
| Bar passage vs. state average | -14.6 pts | -7.1 pts | University of the Pacific |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 79.0% | 79.7% | University of the Pacific |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 6.3% | 4.8% | California Western |
| Federal clerkships | 1.5% | 1.4% | California Western |
trajectory since 2011
Full profiles & related
California Western full profile · University of the Pacific full profile · Pin both on the interactive map → · All California law schools
FAQ
Is California Western or University of the Pacific harder to get into?
University of the Pacific is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 156 against California Western's 155.
Which is cheaper, California Western or University of the Pacific?
University of the Pacific is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $62,678 versus California Western's $64,720.
Which has better bar passage, California Western or University of the Pacific?
University of the Pacific has the higher first-time bar passage, 70.5% against California Western's 62.9%.
Which has better job outcomes, California Western or University of the Pacific?
University of the Pacific places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (79.7% vs 79.0%).
California Western vs University of the Pacific: 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), University of the Pacific 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.