Charleston vs. Liberty University: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared

On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Liberty University posts the higher first-time bar passage (84.82% vs 74.07%); Liberty University is cheaper on sticker tuition ($43,150 vs $48,600); Liberty University places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (92% vs 81.4%).

Side by side (ABA Standard 509)

MetricCharlestonLiberty UniversityBetter
Admissions
Median LSAT154154Tie
Median undergraduate GPA3.513.54Liberty University
Acceptance rate50.2%58.8%Charleston
Cost
Resident tuition$48,600$43,150Liberty University
Non-resident tuition$48,600$43,150Liberty University
Median grant$20,000$24,000Liberty University
Bar passage
First-time bar passage74.07%84.82%Liberty University
Two-year ultimate bar passage84.91%88.52%Liberty University
Bar passage vs. state average-2.8 pts+7 ptsLiberty University
Employment
Full-time, long-term JD employment81.4%92%Liberty University
Large-firm (250+) employment2%0%Charleston
Federal clerkships0.5%0%Charleston

15-year trajectory

First-time bar passage: 77.46% in 2011 to 74.07% in 202540%50%60%70%80%111315182022242574.07%
First-time bar passage · 2011–2025
Charleston — First-time bar passage
First-time bar passage: 71.13% in 2011 to 84.82% in 202560%70%80%90%100%111315182022242584.82%
First-time bar passage · 2011–2025
Liberty University — First-time bar passage
Resident tuition: $36,774 in 2011 to $48,600 in 2025$35,000$40,000$45,000$50,0001113151719212325$48,600
Resident tuition · 2011–2025
Charleston — Resident tuition
Resident tuition: $30,604 in 2011 to $43,150 in 2025$25,000$30,000$35,000$40,000$45,0001113151719212325$43,150
Resident tuition · 2011–2025
Liberty University — Resident tuition

Full profiles & related

Charleston full profile · Liberty University full profile

FAQ

Which is cheaper, Charleston or Liberty University?

Liberty University is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $43,150 versus Charleston's $48,600.

Which has better bar passage, Charleston or Liberty University?

Liberty University has the higher first-time bar passage, 84.82% against Charleston's 74.07%.

Which has better job outcomes, Charleston or Liberty University?

Liberty University places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (92% vs 81.4%).

Charleston vs Liberty 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), Liberty 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.

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