Cincinnati vs. Dayton: 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 157); Dayton posts the higher first-time bar passage (87.96% vs 85.59%); Cincinnati is cheaper on sticker tuition ($24,010 vs $40,020); Cincinnati places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (91.3% vs 88%).

Side by side (ABA Standard 509)

MetricCincinnatiDaytonBetter
Admissions
Median LSAT159157Cincinnati
Median undergraduate GPA3.803.60Cincinnati
Acceptance rate32.7%30.7%Dayton
Cost
Resident tuition$24,010$40,020Cincinnati
Non-resident tuition$29,010$40,020Cincinnati
Median grant$19,000$33,000Dayton
Bar passage
First-time bar passage85.59%87.96%Dayton
Two-year ultimate bar passage91.67%88.1%Cincinnati
Bar passage vs. state average+5 pts+7.9 ptsDayton
Employment
Full-time, long-term JD employment91.3%88%Cincinnati
Large-firm (250+) employment14.9%15.2%Dayton
Federal clerkships0.8%0%Cincinnati

15-year trajectory

First-time bar passage: 93.27% in 2011 to 85.59% in 202575%80%85%90%95%111315182022242585.59%
First-time bar passage · 2011–2025
Cincinnati — First-time bar passage
First-time bar passage: 80.71% in 2011 to 87.96% in 202550%60%70%80%90%100%111315182022242587.96%
First-time bar passage · 2011–2025
Dayton — First-time bar passage
Resident tuition: $22,204 in 2011 to $24,010 in 2025$22,000$23,000$24,000$25,0001113151719212325$24,010
Resident tuition · 2011–2025
Cincinnati — Resident tuition
Resident tuition: $31,598 in 2011 to $40,020 in 2025$30,000$32,500$35,000$37,500$40,000$42,5001113151719212325$40,020
Resident tuition · 2011–2025
Dayton — Resident tuition

Full profiles & related

Cincinnati full profile · Dayton full profile · All Ohio law schools

FAQ

Is Cincinnati or Dayton harder to get into?

Cincinnati is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 159 against Dayton's 157.

Which is cheaper, Cincinnati or Dayton?

Cincinnati is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $24,010 versus Dayton's $40,020.

Which has better bar passage, Cincinnati or Dayton?

Dayton has the higher first-time bar passage, 87.96% against Cincinnati's 85.59%.

Which has better job outcomes, Cincinnati or Dayton?

Cincinnati places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (91.3% vs 88%).

Cincinnati vs Dayton: 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.

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