Chapman University vs. San Diego: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
Both are California law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, San Diego posts the higher first-time bar passage (84.8% vs 74.13%); Chapman University is cheaper on sticker tuition ($63,126 vs $66,950); San Diego places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (98.3% vs 85.4%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Chapman University | San Diego | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 163 | 163 | Tie |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.70 | 3.84 | San Diego |
| Acceptance rate | 20.5% | 23.5% | Chapman University |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $63,126 | $66,950 | Chapman University |
| Non-resident tuition | $63,126 | $66,950 | Chapman University |
| Median grant | $59,500 | $32,000 | Chapman University |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 74.13% | 84.8% | San Diego |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 95.3% | 91.63% | Chapman University |
| Bar passage vs. state average | -3.5 pts | +7 pts | San Diego |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 85.4% | 98.3% | San Diego |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 12.3% | 17.3% | San Diego |
| Federal clerkships | 3.8% | 2.1% | Chapman University |
15-year trajectory
Full profiles & related
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FAQ
Which is cheaper, Chapman University or San Diego?
Chapman University is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $63,126 versus San Diego's $66,950.
Which has better bar passage, Chapman University or San Diego?
San Diego has the higher first-time bar passage, 84.8% against Chapman University's 74.13%.
Which has better job outcomes, Chapman University or San Diego?
San Diego places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (98.3% vs 85.4%).
Chapman University vs San Diego: 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), San Diego 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.