Dayton vs. University of New Mexico: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Dayton posts the higher first-time bar passage (87.96% vs 85.71%); University of New Mexico is cheaper on sticker tuition ($19,474 vs $40,020); Dayton places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (88% vs 78%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Dayton | University of New Mexico | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 157 | 157 | Tie |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.60 | 3.56 | Dayton |
| Acceptance rate | 30.7% | 41.4% | Dayton |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $40,020 | $19,474 | University of New Mexico |
| Non-resident tuition | $40,020 | $43,192 | Dayton |
| Median grant | $33,000 | $10,000 | Dayton |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 87.96% | 85.71% | Dayton |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 88.1% | 92.5% | University of New Mexico |
| Bar passage vs. state average | +7.9 pts | +4.5 pts | Dayton |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 88% | 78% | Dayton |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 15.2% | 0% | Dayton |
| Federal clerkships | 0% | 1% | University of New Mexico |
15-year trajectory
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FAQ
Which is cheaper, Dayton or University of New Mexico?
University of New Mexico is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $19,474 versus Dayton's $40,020.
Which has better bar passage, Dayton or University of New Mexico?
Dayton has the higher first-time bar passage, 87.96% against University of New Mexico's 85.71%.
Which has better job outcomes, Dayton or University of New Mexico?
Dayton places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (88% vs 78%).
Dayton vs University of New Mexico: 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.