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Cincinnati vs. Seattle University: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared

On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Cincinnati posts the higher first-time bar passage (85.6% vs 78.7%); Cincinnati is cheaper on sticker tuition ($24,010 vs $59,769); Cincinnati places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (91.3% vs 82.8%).

Side by side (ABA Standard 509)

MetricCincinnatiSeattle UniversityBetter
Admissions
Median LSAT159159Tie
Median undergraduate GPA3.803.60Cincinnati
Acceptance rate32.7%38.9%Cincinnati
Cost
Resident tuition$24,010$59,769Cincinnati
Non-resident tuition$29,010$59,769Cincinnati
Median grant$19,000$30,000Seattle University
Bar passage
First-time bar passage85.6%78.7%Cincinnati
Two-year ultimate bar passage91.7%89.6%Cincinnati
Bar passage vs. state average+5 pts-3.5 ptsCincinnati
Employment
Full-time, long-term JD employment91.3%82.8%Cincinnati
Large-firm (250+) employment14.9%4.9%Cincinnati
Federal clerkships0.8%0.0%Cincinnati

trajectory since 2011

First-time bar passage: 93.3% in 2011 to 85.6% in 202575.0%80.0%85.0%90.0%95.0%111315182022242585.6%
First-time bar passage · 2011–2025
Cincinnati — First-time bar passage
First-time bar passage: 77.7% in 2011 to 78.7% in 202565.0%70.0%75.0%80.0%85.0%111315182022242578.7%
First-time bar passage · 2011–2025
Seattle University — 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: $39,282 in 2011 to $59,769 in 2025$30,000$40,000$50,000$60,000$70,0001113151719212325$59,769
Resident tuition · 2011–2025
Seattle University — Resident tuition

Full profiles & related

FAQ

Which is cheaper, Cincinnati or Seattle University?

Cincinnati is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $24,010 versus Seattle University's $59,769.

Which has better bar passage, Cincinnati or Seattle University?

Cincinnati has the higher first-time bar passage, 85.6% against Seattle University's 78.7%.

Which has better job outcomes, Cincinnati or Seattle University?

Cincinnati places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (91.3% vs 82.8%).

Cincinnati vs Seattle 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.

Exhibit 509 by 509αTermsPrivacyAccessibilitySitemapSourced from ABA Required Reports · Last synced June 26, 2026