Dayton 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 157); The Ohio State University posts the higher first-time bar passage (92.0% vs 88.0%); The Ohio State University is cheaper on sticker tuition ($35,650 vs $40,020); The Ohio State University places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (93.6% vs 88.0%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Dayton | The Ohio State University | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 157 | 168 | The Ohio State University |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.60 | 3.91 | The Ohio State University |
| Acceptance rate | 30.7% | 24.6% | The Ohio State University |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $40,020 | $35,650 | The Ohio State University |
| Non-resident tuition | $40,020 | $50,902 | Dayton |
| Median grant | $33,000 | $29,984 | Dayton |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 88.0% | 92.0% | The Ohio State University |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 88.1% | 95.1% | The Ohio State University |
| Bar passage vs. state average | +7.9 pts | +11.6 pts | The Ohio State University |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 88.0% | 93.6% | The Ohio State University |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 15.2% | 26.8% | The Ohio State University |
| Federal clerkships | 0.0% | 1.3% | The Ohio State University |
trajectory since 2011
Full profiles & related
Dayton full profile · The Ohio State University full profile · Pin both on the interactive map → · All Ohio law schools
FAQ
Is Dayton or The Ohio State University harder to get into?
The Ohio State University is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 168 against Dayton's 157.
Which is cheaper, Dayton or The Ohio State University?
The Ohio State University is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $35,650 versus Dayton's $40,020.
Which has better bar passage, Dayton or The Ohio State University?
The Ohio State University has the higher first-time bar passage, 92.0% against Dayton's 88.0%.
Which has better job outcomes, Dayton or The Ohio State University?
The Ohio State University places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (93.6% vs 88.0%).
Dayton 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.