Louisiana State University vs. Southern University: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
Both are Louisiana law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Louisiana State University is the more selective admit (median LSAT 157 vs 147); Louisiana State University posts the higher first-time bar passage (84.9% vs 60.3%); Southern University is cheaper on sticker tuition ($11,338 vs $19,750); Louisiana State University places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (88.9% vs 54.1%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Louisiana State University | Southern University | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 157 | 147 | Louisiana State University |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.74 | 3.15 | Louisiana State University |
| Acceptance rate | 38.5% | 56.5% | Louisiana State University |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $19,750 | $11,338 | Southern University |
| Non-resident tuition | $39,500 | $11,338 | Southern University |
| Median grant | $19,750 | $11,000 | Louisiana State University |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 84.9% | 60.3% | Louisiana State University |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 93.6% | 76.0% | Louisiana State University |
| Bar passage vs. state average | +10.3 pts | -15.6 pts | Louisiana State University |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 88.9% | 54.1% | Louisiana State University |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 8.6% | 2.6% | Louisiana State University |
| Federal clerkships | 4.5% | 0.0% | Louisiana State University |
trajectory since 2011
Full profiles & related
Louisiana State University full profile · Southern University full profile · Pin both on the interactive map → · All Louisiana law schools
FAQ
Is Louisiana State University or Southern University harder to get into?
Louisiana State University is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 157 against Southern University's 147.
Which is cheaper, Louisiana State University or Southern University?
Southern University is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $11,338 versus Louisiana State University's $19,750.
Which has better bar passage, Louisiana State University or Southern University?
Louisiana State University has the higher first-time bar passage, 84.9% against Southern University's 60.3%.
Which has better job outcomes, Louisiana State University or Southern University?
Louisiana State University places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (88.9% vs 54.1%).
Louisiana State University vs Southern 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), Louisiana 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.