Catholic University of America vs. District of Columbia: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
Both are District of Columbia law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Catholic University of America is the more selective admit (median LSAT 161 vs 151); Catholic University of America posts the higher first-time bar passage (83.08% vs 65.57%); District of Columbia is cheaper on sticker tuition ($12,438 vs $61,580); Catholic University of America places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (92.9% vs 71.2%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Catholic University of America | District of Columbia | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 161 | 151 | Catholic University of America |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.68 | 3.28 | Catholic University of America |
| Acceptance rate | 32.4% | 37% | Catholic University of America |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $61,580 | $12,438 | District of Columbia |
| Non-resident tuition | $61,580 | $28,874 | District of Columbia |
| Median grant | $26,000 | $8,292 | Catholic University of America |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 83.08% | 65.57% | Catholic University of America |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 89.91% | 75% | Catholic University of America |
| Bar passage vs. state average | +2 pts | -15.1 pts | Catholic University of America |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 92.9% | 71.2% | Catholic University of America |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 14.1% | 2.4% | Catholic University of America |
| Federal clerkships | 1.8% | 0% | Catholic University of America |
15-year trajectory
Full profiles & related
Catholic University of America full profile · District of Columbia full profile · All District of Columbia law schools
FAQ
Is Catholic University of America or District of Columbia harder to get into?
Catholic University of America is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 161 against District of Columbia's 151.
Which is cheaper, Catholic University of America or District of Columbia?
District of Columbia is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $12,438 versus Catholic University of America's $61,580.
Which has better bar passage, Catholic University of America or District of Columbia?
Catholic University of America has the higher first-time bar passage, 83.08% against District of Columbia's 65.57%.
Which has better job outcomes, Catholic University of America or District of Columbia?
Catholic University of America places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (92.9% vs 71.2%).
Catholic University of America vs District of Columbia: 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), Catholic University of America 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.