City University of New York vs. West Virginia University: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, West Virginia University posts the higher first-time bar passage (78.3% vs 65.67%); City University of New York is cheaper on sticker tuition ($15,450 vs $26,370); City University of New York places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (80.7% vs 80.2%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | City University of New York | West Virginia University | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 155 | 155 | Tie |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.54 | 3.65 | West Virginia University |
| Acceptance rate | 28.6% | 40.3% | City University of New York |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $15,450 | $26,370 | City University of New York |
| Non-resident tuition | $25,640 | $45,666 | City University of New York |
| Median grant | $8,000 | $17,500 | West Virginia University |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 65.67% | 78.3% | West Virginia University |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 89.01% | 86% | City University of New York |
| Bar passage vs. state average | -20.3 pts | +1.8 pts | West Virginia University |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 80.7% | 80.2% | City University of New York |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 2% | 8.8% | West Virginia University |
| Federal clerkships | 0% | 3.3% | West Virginia University |
15-year trajectory
Full profiles & related
City University of New York full profile · West Virginia University full profile
FAQ
Which is cheaper, City University of New York or West Virginia University?
City University of New York is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $15,450 versus West Virginia University's $26,370.
Which has better bar passage, City University of New York or West Virginia University?
West Virginia University has the higher first-time bar passage, 78.3% against City University of New York's 65.67%.
Which has better job outcomes, City University of New York or West Virginia University?
City University of New York places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (80.7% vs 80.2%).
City University of New York vs West Virginia 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), City University of New York 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.