Cleveland State University vs. Dayton: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared

Both are Ohio law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Dayton is the more selective admit (median LSAT 157 vs 155); Dayton posts the higher first-time bar passage (87.96% vs 75.45%); Cleveland State University is cheaper on sticker tuition ($29,766 vs $40,020); Dayton places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (88% vs 80.3%).

Side by side (ABA Standard 509)

MetricCleveland State UniversityDaytonBetter
Admissions
Median LSAT155157Dayton
Median undergraduate GPA3.503.60Dayton
Acceptance rate34.5%30.7%Dayton
Cost
Resident tuition$29,766$40,020Cleveland State University
Non-resident tuition$29,866$40,020Cleveland State University
Median grant$11,000$33,000Dayton
Bar passage
First-time bar passage75.45%87.96%Dayton
Two-year ultimate bar passage93.13%88.1%Cleveland State University
Bar passage vs. state average-5.1 pts+7.9 ptsDayton
Employment
Full-time, long-term JD employment80.3%88%Dayton
Large-firm (250+) employment12.1%15.2%Dayton
Federal clerkships0%0%Tie

15-year trajectory

First-time bar passage: 85.53% in 2011 to 75.45% in 202560%70%80%90%100%111315182022242575.45%
First-time bar passage · 2011–2025
Cleveland State University — First-time bar passage
First-time bar passage: 80.71% in 2011 to 87.96% in 202550%60%70%80%90%100%111315182022242587.96%
First-time bar passage · 2011–2025
Dayton — First-time bar passage
Resident tuition: $19,864 in 2011 to $29,766 in 2025$15,000$20,000$25,000$30,000$35,0001113151719212325$29,766
Resident tuition · 2011–2025
Cleveland State University — Resident tuition
Resident tuition: $31,598 in 2011 to $40,020 in 2025$30,000$32,500$35,000$37,500$40,000$42,5001113151719212325$40,020
Resident tuition · 2011–2025
Dayton — Resident tuition

Full profiles & related

Cleveland State University full profile · Dayton full profile · All Ohio law schools

FAQ

Is Cleveland State University or Dayton harder to get into?

Dayton is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 157 against Cleveland State University's 155.

Which is cheaper, Cleveland State University or Dayton?

Cleveland State University is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $29,766 versus Dayton's $40,020.

Which has better bar passage, Cleveland State University or Dayton?

Dayton has the higher first-time bar passage, 87.96% against Cleveland State University's 75.45%.

Which has better job outcomes, Cleveland State University or Dayton?

Dayton places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (88% vs 80.3%).

Cleveland State University vs Dayton: 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), Dayton 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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