California Western vs. Southwestern Law School: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared

Both are California law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Southwestern Law School is the more selective admit (median LSAT 157 vs 155); Southwestern Law School posts the higher first-time bar passage (64.93% vs 62.91%); Southwestern Law School is cheaper on sticker tuition ($63,160 vs $64,720); Southwestern Law School places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (83.4% vs 79%).

Side by side (ABA Standard 509)

MetricCalifornia WesternSouthwestern Law SchoolBetter
Admissions
Median LSAT155157Southwestern Law School
Median undergraduate GPA3.503.51Southwestern Law School
Acceptance rate46.9%36.5%Southwestern Law School
Cost
Resident tuition$64,720$63,160Southwestern Law School
Non-resident tuition$64,720$63,160Southwestern Law School
Median grant$37,440$29,166California Western
Bar passage
First-time bar passage62.91%64.93%Southwestern Law School
Two-year ultimate bar passage73.95%87.83%Southwestern Law School
Bar passage vs. state average-14.6 pts-12.8 ptsSouthwestern Law School
Employment
Full-time, long-term JD employment79%83.4%Southwestern Law School
Large-firm (250+) employment6.3%5.5%California Western
Federal clerkships1.5%0.3%California Western

15-year trajectory

First-time bar passage: 70.61% in 2011 to 62.91% in 202540%50%60%70%80%90%111315182022242562.91%
First-time bar passage · 2011–2025
California Western — First-time bar passage
First-time bar passage: 58.57% in 2011 to 64.93% in 202540%50%60%70%80%90%111315182022242564.93%
First-time bar passage · 2011–2025
Southwestern Law School — First-time bar passage
Resident tuition: $42,700 in 2011 to $64,720 in 2025$40,000$50,000$60,000$70,0001113151719212325$64,720
Resident tuition · 2011–2025
California Western — Resident tuition
Resident tuition: $42,200 in 2011 to $63,160 in 2025$40,000$50,000$60,000$70,0001113151719212325$63,160
Resident tuition · 2011–2025
Southwestern Law School — Resident tuition

Full profiles & related

California Western full profile · Southwestern Law School full profile · All California law schools

FAQ

Is California Western or Southwestern Law School harder to get into?

Southwestern Law School is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 157 against California Western's 155.

Which is cheaper, California Western or Southwestern Law School?

Southwestern Law School is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $63,160 versus California Western's $64,720.

Which has better bar passage, California Western or Southwestern Law School?

Southwestern Law School has the higher first-time bar passage, 64.93% against California Western's 62.91%.

Which has better job outcomes, California Western or Southwestern Law School?

Southwestern Law School places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (83.4% vs 79%).

California Western vs Southwestern Law School: 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), Southwestern Law School 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.

Exhibit 509 by 509αNewsletterTermsPrivacyAccessibilitySitemap● Sourced from ABA Standard 509 · Last synced June 26, 2026