Kentucky vs. Louisville: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
Both are Kentucky law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Kentucky is the more selective admit (median LSAT 159 vs 157); Kentucky posts the higher first-time bar passage (83.09% vs 75.61%); Kentucky is cheaper on sticker tuition ($25,685 vs $27,000); Louisville places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (93.3% vs 93%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Kentucky | Louisville | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 159 | 157 | Kentucky |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.72 | 3.67 | Kentucky |
| Acceptance rate | 40.8% | 63.4% | Kentucky |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $25,685 | $27,000 | Kentucky |
| Non-resident tuition | $49,836 | $32,000 | Louisville |
| Median grant | $11,000 | $12,000 | Louisville |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 83.09% | 75.61% | Kentucky |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 91.36% | 86.75% | Kentucky |
| Bar passage vs. state average | +4.3 pts | -2.9 pts | Kentucky |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 93% | 93.3% | Louisville |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 7.8% | 15.1% | Louisville |
| Federal clerkships | 6.1% | 0.8% | Kentucky |
15-year trajectory
Full profiles & related
Kentucky full profile · Louisville full profile · All Kentucky law schools
FAQ
Is Kentucky or Louisville harder to get into?
Kentucky is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 159 against Louisville's 157.
Which is cheaper, Kentucky or Louisville?
Kentucky is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $25,685 versus Louisville's $27,000.
Which has better bar passage, Kentucky or Louisville?
Kentucky has the higher first-time bar passage, 83.09% against Louisville's 75.61%.
Which has better job outcomes, Kentucky or Louisville?
Louisville places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (93.3% vs 93%).
Kentucky vs Louisville: 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), Kentucky 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.