Capital University Law School vs. Cleveland State University: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
Both are Ohio law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Cleveland State University is the more selective admit (median LSAT 155 vs 151); Cleveland State University posts the higher first-time bar passage (75.45% vs 72.22%); Cleveland State University is cheaper on sticker tuition ($29,766 vs $45,066); Capital University Law School places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (84.3% vs 80.3%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Capital University Law School | Cleveland State University | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 151 | 155 | Cleveland State University |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.44 | 3.50 | Cleveland State University |
| Acceptance rate | 65.9% | 34.5% | Cleveland State University |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $45,066 | $29,766 | Cleveland State University |
| Non-resident tuition | $45,066 | $29,866 | Cleveland State University |
| Median grant | $21,000 | $11,000 | Capital University Law School |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 72.22% | 75.45% | Cleveland State University |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 90.24% | 93.13% | Cleveland State University |
| Bar passage vs. state average | -8.2 pts | -5.1 pts | Cleveland State University |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 84.3% | 80.3% | Capital University Law School |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 4.1% | 12.1% | Cleveland State University |
| Federal clerkships | 0% | 0% | Tie |
15-year trajectory
Full profiles & related
Capital University Law School full profile · Cleveland State University full profile · All Ohio law schools
FAQ
Is Capital University Law School or Cleveland State University harder to get into?
Cleveland State University is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 155 against Capital University Law School's 151.
Which is cheaper, Capital University Law School or Cleveland State University?
Cleveland State University is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $29,766 versus Capital University Law School's $45,066.
Which has better bar passage, Capital University Law School or Cleveland State University?
Cleveland State University has the higher first-time bar passage, 75.45% against Capital University Law School's 72.22%.
Which has better job outcomes, Capital University Law School or Cleveland State University?
Capital University Law School places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (84.3% vs 80.3%).
Capital University Law School vs Cleveland State 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), Cleveland State 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.