Cleveland State University 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 155); The Ohio State University posts the higher first-time bar passage (92.0% vs 75.5%); Cleveland State University is cheaper on sticker tuition ($29,766 vs $35,650); The Ohio State University places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (93.6% vs 80.3%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Cleveland State University | The Ohio State University | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 155 | 168 | The Ohio State University |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.50 | 3.91 | The Ohio State University |
| Acceptance rate | 34.5% | 24.6% | The Ohio State University |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $29,766 | $35,650 | Cleveland State University |
| Non-resident tuition | $29,866 | $50,902 | Cleveland State University |
| Median grant | $11,000 | $29,984 | The Ohio State University |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 75.5% | 92.0% | The Ohio State University |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 93.1% | 95.1% | The Ohio State University |
| Bar passage vs. state average | -5.1 pts | +11.6 pts | The Ohio State University |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 80.3% | 93.6% | The Ohio State University |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 12.1% | 26.8% | The Ohio State University |
| Federal clerkships | 0.0% | 1.3% | The Ohio State University |
trajectory since 2011
Full profiles & related
Cleveland State University full profile · The Ohio State University full profile · Pin both on the interactive map → · All Ohio law schools
FAQ
Is Cleveland State University or The Ohio State University harder to get into?
The Ohio State University is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 168 against Cleveland State University's 155.
Which is cheaper, Cleveland State University or The Ohio State University?
Cleveland State University is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $29,766 versus The Ohio State University's $35,650.
Which has better bar passage, Cleveland State University or The Ohio State University?
The Ohio State University has the higher first-time bar passage, 92.0% against Cleveland State University's 75.5%.
Which has better job outcomes, Cleveland State University or The Ohio State University?
The Ohio State University places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (93.6% vs 80.3%).
Cleveland State University 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.