Cincinnati vs. Cleveland State University: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
Both are Ohio law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Cincinnati is the more selective admit (median LSAT 159 vs 155); Cincinnati posts the higher first-time bar passage (85.59% vs 75.45%); Cincinnati is cheaper on sticker tuition ($24,010 vs $29,766); Cincinnati places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (91.3% vs 80.3%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Cincinnati | Cleveland State University | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 159 | 155 | Cincinnati |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.80 | 3.50 | Cincinnati |
| Acceptance rate | 32.7% | 34.5% | Cincinnati |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $24,010 | $29,766 | Cincinnati |
| Non-resident tuition | $29,010 | $29,866 | Cincinnati |
| Median grant | $19,000 | $11,000 | Cincinnati |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 85.59% | 75.45% | Cincinnati |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 91.67% | 93.13% | Cleveland State University |
| Bar passage vs. state average | +5 pts | -5.1 pts | Cincinnati |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 91.3% | 80.3% | Cincinnati |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 14.9% | 12.1% | Cincinnati |
| Federal clerkships | 0.8% | 0% | Cincinnati |
15-year trajectory
Full profiles & related
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FAQ
Is Cincinnati or Cleveland State University harder to get into?
Cincinnati is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 159 against Cleveland State University's 155.
Which is cheaper, Cincinnati or Cleveland State University?
Cincinnati is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $24,010 versus Cleveland State University's $29,766.
Which has better bar passage, Cincinnati or Cleveland State University?
Cincinnati has the higher first-time bar passage, 85.59% against Cleveland State University's 75.45%.
Which has better job outcomes, Cincinnati or Cleveland State University?
Cincinnati places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (91.3% vs 80.3%).
Cincinnati vs Cleveland State 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), Cincinnati 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.