Charleston vs. Northern Kentucky University: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Charleston posts the higher first-time bar passage (74.07% vs 73.85%); Northern Kentucky University is cheaper on sticker tuition ($24,388 vs $48,600); Northern Kentucky University places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (84.4% vs 81.4%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Charleston | Northern Kentucky University | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 154 | 154 | Tie |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.51 | 3.41 | Charleston |
| Acceptance rate | 50.2% | 58.7% | Charleston |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $48,600 | $24,388 | Northern Kentucky University |
| Non-resident tuition | $48,600 | $38,454 | Northern Kentucky University |
| Median grant | $20,000 | $18,000 | Charleston |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 74.07% | 73.85% | Charleston |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 84.91% | 82.86% | Charleston |
| Bar passage vs. state average | -2.8 pts | -5.7 pts | Charleston |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 81.4% | 84.4% | Northern Kentucky University |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 2% | 11.5% | Northern Kentucky University |
| Federal clerkships | 0.5% | 2.1% | Northern Kentucky University |
15-year trajectory
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FAQ
Which is cheaper, Charleston or Northern Kentucky University?
Northern Kentucky University is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $24,388 versus Charleston's $48,600.
Which has better bar passage, Charleston or Northern Kentucky University?
Charleston has the higher first-time bar passage, 74.07% against Northern Kentucky University's 73.85%.
Which has better job outcomes, Charleston or Northern Kentucky University?
Northern Kentucky University places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (84.4% vs 81.4%).
Charleston vs Northern Kentucky 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), Northern Kentucky 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.