Cooley Law School vs. Southern University: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Southern University posts the higher first-time bar passage (60.33% vs 51.54%); Southern University is cheaper on sticker tuition ($11,338 vs $45,820); Cooley Law School places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (74.1% vs 54.1%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Cooley Law School | Southern University | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 147 | 147 | Tie |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.09 | 3.15 | Southern University |
| Acceptance rate | 52.9% | 56.5% | Cooley Law School |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $45,820 | $11,338 | Southern University |
| Non-resident tuition | $45,820 | $11,338 | Southern University |
| Median grant | $13,746 | $11,000 | Cooley Law School |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 51.54% | 60.33% | Southern University |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 57.47% | 75.95% | Southern University |
| Bar passage vs. state average | -22.6 pts | -15.6 pts | Southern University |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 74.1% | 54.1% | Cooley Law School |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 0.7% | 2.6% | Southern University |
| Federal clerkships | 0% | 0% | Tie |
15-year trajectory
Full profiles & related
Cooley Law School full profile · Southern University full profile
FAQ
Which is cheaper, Cooley Law School or Southern University?
Southern University is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $11,338 versus Cooley Law School's $45,820.
Which has better bar passage, Cooley Law School or Southern University?
Southern University has the higher first-time bar passage, 60.33% against Cooley Law School's 51.54%.
Which has better job outcomes, Cooley Law School or Southern University?
Cooley Law School places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (74.1% vs 54.1%).
Cooley Law School vs Southern 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), Southern 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.