Kentucky vs. Seattle University: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Kentucky posts the higher first-time bar passage (83.1% vs 78.7%); Kentucky is cheaper on sticker tuition ($25,685 vs $59,769); Kentucky places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (93.0% vs 82.8%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Kentucky | Seattle University | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 159 | 159 | Tie |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.72 | 3.60 | Kentucky |
| Acceptance rate | 40.8% | 38.9% | Seattle University |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $25,685 | $59,769 | Kentucky |
| Non-resident tuition | $49,836 | $59,769 | Kentucky |
| Median grant | $11,000 | $30,000 | Seattle University |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 83.1% | 78.7% | Kentucky |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 91.4% | 89.6% | Kentucky |
| Bar passage vs. state average | +4.3 pts | -3.5 pts | Kentucky |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 93.0% | 82.8% | Kentucky |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 7.8% | 4.9% | Kentucky |
| Federal clerkships | 6.1% | 0.0% | Kentucky |
trajectory since 2011
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FAQ
Which is cheaper, Kentucky or Seattle University?
Kentucky is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $25,685 versus Seattle University's $59,769.
Which has better bar passage, Kentucky or Seattle University?
Kentucky has the higher first-time bar passage, 83.1% against Seattle University's 78.7%.
Which has better job outcomes, Kentucky or Seattle University?
Kentucky places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (93.0% vs 82.8%).
Kentucky vs Seattle 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), 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.