Houston vs. Texas A&M University: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
Both are Texas law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Texas A&M University is the more selective admit (median LSAT 169 vs 163); Texas A&M University posts the higher first-time bar passage (95.98% vs 88.63%); Houston is cheaper on sticker tuition ($31,326 vs $32,634); Texas A&M University places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (99.2% vs 92.4%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Houston | Texas A&M University | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 163 | 169 | Texas A&M University |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.79 | 4.00 | Texas A&M University |
| Acceptance rate | 23% | 12.1% | Texas A&M University |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $31,326 | $32,634 | Houston |
| Non-resident tuition | $46,051 | $48,522 | Houston |
| Median grant | $11,500 | $26,048 | Texas A&M University |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 88.63% | 95.98% | Texas A&M University |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 92.68% | 95.38% | Texas A&M University |
| Bar passage vs. state average | +7.3 pts | +14.6 pts | Texas A&M University |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 92.4% | 99.2% | Texas A&M University |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 27.3% | 19.3% | Houston |
| Federal clerkships | 1.7% | 8.1% | Texas A&M University |
15-year trajectory
Full profiles & related
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FAQ
Is Houston or Texas A&M University harder to get into?
Texas A&M University is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 169 against Houston's 163.
Which is cheaper, Houston or Texas A&M University?
Houston is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $31,326 versus Texas A&M University's $32,634.
Which has better bar passage, Houston or Texas A&M University?
Texas A&M University has the higher first-time bar passage, 95.98% against Houston's 88.63%.
Which has better job outcomes, Houston or Texas A&M University?
Texas A&M University places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (99.2% vs 92.4%).
Houston vs Texas A&M 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), Texas A&M 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.