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 (84.8% vs 74.1%); Liberty University is cheaper on sticker tuition ($43,150 vs $48,600); Liberty University places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (92.0% vs 81.4%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Charleston | Liberty University | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 154 | 154 | Tie |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.51 | 3.54 | Liberty University |
| Acceptance rate | 50.2% | 58.8% | Charleston |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $48,600 | $43,150 | Liberty University |
| Non-resident tuition | $48,600 | $43,150 | Liberty University |
| Median grant | $20,000 | $24,000 | Liberty University |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 74.1% | 84.8% | Liberty University |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 84.9% | 88.5% | Liberty University |
| Bar passage vs. state average | -2.8 pts | +7 pts | Liberty University |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 81.4% | 92.0% | Liberty University |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 2.0% | 0.0% | Charleston |
| Federal clerkships | 0.5% | 0.0% | Charleston |
trajectory since 2011
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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, 84.8% against Charleston's 74.1%.
Which has better job outcomes, Charleston or Liberty University?
Liberty University places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (92.0% 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.