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 (85.59% vs 78.74%); 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 passage85.59%78.74%Cincinnati
Two-year ultimate bar passage91.67%89.64%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%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: 77.7% in 2011 to 78.74% in 202565%70%75%80%85%111315182022242578.74%
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, 85.59% against Seattle University's 78.74%.

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.

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