Colorado vs. Denver: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
Both are Colorado law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Colorado is the more selective admit (median LSAT 164 vs 160); Colorado posts the higher first-time bar passage (90.42% vs 84.89%); Colorado is cheaper on sticker tuition ($35,992 vs $63,390); Colorado places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (96.2% vs 84.6%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Colorado | Denver | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 164 | 160 | Colorado |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.81 | 3.66 | Colorado |
| Acceptance rate | 27.6% | 41.3% | Colorado |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $35,992 | $63,390 | Colorado |
| Non-resident tuition | $44,002 | $63,390 | Colorado |
| Median grant | $15,000 | $30,000 | Denver |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 90.42% | 84.89% | Colorado |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 92.9% | 89.18% | Colorado |
| Bar passage vs. state average | +5.5 pts | -0.2 pts | Colorado |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 96.2% | 84.6% | Colorado |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 22.3% | 12% | Colorado |
| Federal clerkships | 0.6% | 0.4% | Colorado |
15-year trajectory
Full profiles & related
Colorado full profile · Denver full profile · All Colorado law schools
FAQ
Is Colorado or Denver harder to get into?
Colorado is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 164 against Denver's 160.
Which is cheaper, Colorado or Denver?
Colorado is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $35,992 versus Denver's $63,390.
Which has better bar passage, Colorado or Denver?
Colorado has the higher first-time bar passage, 90.42% against Denver's 84.89%.
Which has better job outcomes, Colorado or Denver?
Colorado places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (96.2% vs 84.6%).
Colorado vs Denver: 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), Colorado 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.