Cincinnati vs. The Ohio State University: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
Both are Ohio law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, The Ohio State University is the more selective admit (median LSAT 168 vs 159); The Ohio State University posts the higher first-time bar passage (91.95% vs 85.59%); Cincinnati is cheaper on sticker tuition ($24,010 vs $35,650); The Ohio State University places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (93.6% vs 91.3%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Cincinnati | The Ohio State University | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 159 | 168 | The Ohio State University |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.80 | 3.91 | The Ohio State University |
| Acceptance rate | 32.7% | 24.6% | The Ohio State University |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $24,010 | $35,650 | Cincinnati |
| Non-resident tuition | $29,010 | $50,902 | Cincinnati |
| Median grant | $19,000 | $29,984 | The Ohio State University |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 85.59% | 91.95% | The Ohio State University |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 91.67% | 95.08% | The Ohio State University |
| Bar passage vs. state average | +5 pts | +11.6 pts | The Ohio State University |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 91.3% | 93.6% | The Ohio State University |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 14.9% | 26.8% | The Ohio State University |
| Federal clerkships | 0.8% | 1.3% | The Ohio State University |
15-year trajectory
Full profiles & related
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FAQ
Is Cincinnati or The Ohio State University harder to get into?
The Ohio State University is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 168 against Cincinnati's 159.
Which is cheaper, Cincinnati or The Ohio State University?
Cincinnati is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $24,010 versus The Ohio State University's $35,650.
Which has better bar passage, Cincinnati or The Ohio State University?
The Ohio State University has the higher first-time bar passage, 91.95% against Cincinnati's 85.59%.
Which has better job outcomes, Cincinnati or The Ohio State University?
The Ohio State University places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (93.6% vs 91.3%).
Cincinnati vs The Ohio 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), The Ohio State University 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.