City University of New York vs. New York Law School: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
Both are New York law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, New York Law School is the more selective admit (median LSAT 157 vs 155); New York Law School posts the higher first-time bar passage (81.9% vs 65.67%); City University of New York is cheaper on sticker tuition ($15,450 vs $71,052); New York Law School places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (85.9% vs 80.7%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | City University of New York | New York Law School | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 155 | 157 | New York Law School |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.54 | 3.63 | New York Law School |
| Acceptance rate | 28.6% | 39.7% | City University of New York |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $15,450 | $71,052 | City University of New York |
| Non-resident tuition | $25,640 | $71,052 | City University of New York |
| Median grant | $8,000 | $40,000 | New York Law School |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 65.67% | 81.9% | New York Law School |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 89.01% | 89.31% | New York Law School |
| Bar passage vs. state average | -20.3 pts | -2.8 pts | New York Law School |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 80.7% | 85.9% | New York Law School |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 2% | 12.2% | New York Law School |
| Federal clerkships | 0% | 1% | New York Law School |
15-year trajectory
Full profiles & related
City University of New York full profile · New York Law School full profile · All New York law schools
FAQ
Is City University of New York or New York Law School harder to get into?
New York Law School is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 157 against City University of New York's 155.
Which is cheaper, City University of New York or New York Law School?
City University of New York is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $15,450 versus New York Law School's $71,052.
Which has better bar passage, City University of New York or New York Law School?
New York Law School has the higher first-time bar passage, 81.9% against City University of New York's 65.67%.
Which has better job outcomes, City University of New York or New York Law School?
New York Law School places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (85.9% vs 80.7%).
City University of New York vs New York Law School: 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), New York Law School 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.