Cleveland State University vs. Ohio Northern University: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
Both are Ohio law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Cleveland State University is the more selective admit (median LSAT 155 vs 149); Cleveland State University posts the higher first-time bar passage (75.45% vs 68.42%); Cleveland State University is cheaper on sticker tuition ($29,766 vs $33,900); Ohio Northern University places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (87.8% vs 80.3%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Cleveland State University | Ohio Northern University | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 155 | 149 | Cleveland State University |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.50 | 3.34 | Cleveland State University |
| Acceptance rate | 34.5% | 32% | Ohio Northern University |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $29,766 | $33,900 | Cleveland State University |
| Non-resident tuition | $29,866 | $33,900 | Cleveland State University |
| Median grant | $11,000 | $17,250 | Ohio Northern University |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 75.45% | 68.42% | Cleveland State University |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 93.13% | 82.93% | Cleveland State University |
| Bar passage vs. state average | -5.1 pts | -11.3 pts | Cleveland State University |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 80.3% | 87.8% | Ohio Northern University |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 12.1% | 0% | Cleveland State University |
| Federal clerkships | 0% | 0% | Tie |
15-year trajectory
Full profiles & related
Cleveland State University full profile · Ohio Northern University full profile · All Ohio law schools
FAQ
Is Cleveland State University or Ohio Northern University harder to get into?
Cleveland State University is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 155 against Ohio Northern University's 149.
Which is cheaper, Cleveland State University or Ohio Northern University?
Cleveland State University is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $29,766 versus Ohio Northern University's $33,900.
Which has better bar passage, Cleveland State University or Ohio Northern University?
Cleveland State University has the higher first-time bar passage, 75.45% against Ohio Northern University's 68.42%.
Which has better job outcomes, Cleveland State University or Ohio Northern University?
Ohio Northern University places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (87.8% vs 80.3%).
Cleveland State University vs Ohio Northern 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), Cleveland 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.