Case Western Reserve University vs. The Ohio State University: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
Both are Ohio law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, The Ohio State University is the more selective admit (median LSAT 168 vs 162); The Ohio State University posts the higher first-time bar passage (91.95% vs 81.99%); The Ohio State University is cheaper on sticker tuition ($35,650 vs $64,600); The Ohio State University places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (93.6% vs 81.7%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Case Western Reserve University | The Ohio State University | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 162 | 168 | The Ohio State University |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.76 | 3.91 | The Ohio State University |
| Acceptance rate | 34.8% | 24.6% | The Ohio State University |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $64,600 | $35,650 | The Ohio State University |
| Non-resident tuition | $64,600 | $50,902 | The Ohio State University |
| Median grant | $42,500 | $29,984 | Case Western Reserve University |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 81.99% | 91.95% | The Ohio State University |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 88.89% | 95.08% | The Ohio State University |
| Bar passage vs. state average | +1 pts | +11.6 pts | The Ohio State University |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 81.7% | 93.6% | The Ohio State University |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 20.5% | 26.8% | The Ohio State University |
| Federal clerkships | 2.8% | 1.3% | Case Western Reserve University |
15-year trajectory
Full profiles & related
Case Western Reserve University full profile · The Ohio State University full profile · All Ohio law schools
FAQ
Is Case Western Reserve University or The Ohio State University harder to get into?
The Ohio State University is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 168 against Case Western Reserve University's 162.
Which is cheaper, Case Western Reserve University or The Ohio State University?
The Ohio State University is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $35,650 versus Case Western Reserve University's $64,600.
Which has better bar passage, Case Western Reserve University or The Ohio State University?
The Ohio State University has the higher first-time bar passage, 91.95% against Case Western Reserve University's 81.99%.
Which has better job outcomes, Case Western Reserve University or The Ohio State University?
The Ohio State University places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (93.6% vs 81.7%).
Case Western Reserve University vs The Ohio 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), The Ohio 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.