Charleston vs. Willamette 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 66.67%); Charleston is cheaper on sticker tuition ($48,600 vs $56,600); Charleston places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (81.4% vs 76.2%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Charleston | Willamette University | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 154 | 154 | Tie |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.51 | 3.48 | Charleston |
| Acceptance rate | 50.2% | 61.4% | Charleston |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $48,600 | $56,600 | Charleston |
| Non-resident tuition | $48,600 | $56,600 | Charleston |
| Median grant | $20,000 | $20,000 | Tie |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 74.07% | 66.67% | Charleston |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 84.91% | 81.25% | Charleston |
| Bar passage vs. state average | -2.8 pts | -8.6 pts | Charleston |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 81.4% | 76.2% | Charleston |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 2% | 1% | Charleston |
| Federal clerkships | 0.5% | 0% | Charleston |
15-year trajectory
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FAQ
Which is cheaper, Charleston or Willamette University?
Charleston is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $48,600 versus Willamette University's $56,600.
Which has better bar passage, Charleston or Willamette University?
Charleston has the higher first-time bar passage, 74.07% against Willamette University's 66.67%.
Which has better job outcomes, Charleston or Willamette University?
Charleston places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (81.4% vs 76.2%).
Charleston vs Willamette 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), Charleston 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.