The call

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 (88.0% vs 85.7%); University of New Mexico is cheaper on sticker tuition ($19,474 vs $40,020); Dayton places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (88.0% vs 78.0%).

Side by side (ABA Standard 509)

MetricDaytonUniversity of New MexicoBetter
Admissions
Median LSAT157157Tie
Median undergraduate GPA3.603.56Dayton
Acceptance rate30.7%41.4%Dayton
Cost
Resident tuition$40,020$19,474University of New Mexico
Non-resident tuition$40,020$43,192Dayton
Median grant$33,000$10,000Dayton
Bar passage
First-time bar passage88.0%85.7%Dayton
Two-year ultimate bar passage88.1%92.5%University of New Mexico
Bar passage vs. state average+7.9 pts+4.5 ptsDayton
Employment
Full-time, long-term JD employment88.0%78.0%Dayton
Large-firm (250+) employment15.2%0.0%Dayton
Federal clerkships0.0%1.0%University of New Mexico

trajectory since 2011

First-time bar passage: 80.7% in 2011 to 88.0% in 202550.0%60.0%70.0%80.0%90.0%100.0%111315182022242588.0%
First-time bar passage · 2011–2025
Dayton — First-time bar passage
First-time bar passage: 88.3% in 2011 to 85.7% in 202575.0%80.0%85.0%90.0%95.0%111315182022242585.7%
First-time bar passage · 2011–2025
University of New Mexico — First-time bar passage
Resident tuition: $31,598 in 2011 to $40,020 in 2025$30,000$32,500$35,000$37,500$40,000$42,5001113151719212325$40,020
Resident tuition · 2011–2025
Dayton — Resident tuition
Resident tuition: $14,532 in 2011 to $19,474 in 2025$14,000$16,000$18,000$20,0001113151719212325$19,474
Resident tuition · 2011–2025
University of New Mexico — Resident tuition

Full profiles & related

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, 88.0% against University of New Mexico's 85.7%.

Which has better job outcomes, Dayton or University of New Mexico?

Dayton places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (88.0% vs 78.0%).

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.

Exhibit 509 by 509αTermsPrivacyAccessibilitySitemapSourced from ABA Required Reports · Last synced June 26, 2026