Cincinnati vs. Kentucky: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Cincinnati posts the higher first-time bar passage (85.59% vs 83.09%); Cincinnati is cheaper on sticker tuition ($24,010 vs $25,685); Kentucky places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (93% vs 91.3%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Cincinnati | Kentucky | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 159 | 159 | Tie |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.80 | 3.72 | Cincinnati |
| Acceptance rate | 32.7% | 40.8% | Cincinnati |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $24,010 | $25,685 | Cincinnati |
| Non-resident tuition | $29,010 | $49,836 | Cincinnati |
| Median grant | $19,000 | $11,000 | Cincinnati |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 85.59% | 83.09% | Cincinnati |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 91.67% | 91.36% | Cincinnati |
| Bar passage vs. state average | +5 pts | +4.3 pts | Cincinnati |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 91.3% | 93% | Kentucky |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 14.9% | 7.8% | Cincinnati |
| Federal clerkships | 0.8% | 6.1% | Kentucky |
15-year trajectory
Full profiles & related
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FAQ
Which is cheaper, Cincinnati or Kentucky?
Cincinnati is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $24,010 versus Kentucky's $25,685.
Which has better bar passage, Cincinnati or Kentucky?
Cincinnati has the higher first-time bar passage, 85.59% against Kentucky's 83.09%.
Which has better job outcomes, Cincinnati or Kentucky?
Kentucky places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (93% vs 91.3%).
Cincinnati vs Kentucky: 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.