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 (91.95% vs 87.96%); 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%).

Side by side (ABA Standard 509)

MetricDaytonThe Ohio State UniversityBetter
Admissions
Median LSAT157168The Ohio State University
Median undergraduate GPA3.603.91The Ohio State University
Acceptance rate30.7%24.6%The Ohio State University
Cost
Resident tuition$40,020$35,650The Ohio State University
Non-resident tuition$40,020$50,902Dayton
Median grant$33,000$29,984Dayton
Bar passage
First-time bar passage87.96%91.95%The Ohio State University
Two-year ultimate bar passage88.1%95.08%The Ohio State University
Bar passage vs. state average+7.9 pts+11.6 ptsThe Ohio State University
Employment
Full-time, long-term JD employment88%93.6%The Ohio State University
Large-firm (250+) employment15.2%26.8%The Ohio State University
Federal clerkships0%1.3%The Ohio State University

15-year trajectory

First-time bar passage: 80.71% in 2011 to 87.96% in 202550%60%70%80%90%100%111315182022242587.96%
First-time bar passage · 2011–2025
Dayton — First-time bar passage
First-time bar passage: 88.75% in 2011 to 91.95% in 202585%87.5%90%92.5%95%97.5%111315182022242591.95%
First-time bar passage · 2011–2025
The Ohio State University — 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: $26,118 in 2011 to $35,650 in 2025$25,000$30,000$35,000$40,0001113151719212325$35,650
Resident tuition · 2011–2025
The Ohio State University — Resident tuition

Full profiles & related

Dayton full profile · The Ohio State University full profile · 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, 91.95% against Dayton's 87.96%.

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%).

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.

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