Louisville vs. Northern Kentucky University: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
Both are Kentucky law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Louisville is the more selective admit (median LSAT 157 vs 154); Louisville posts the higher first-time bar passage (75.61% vs 73.85%); Northern Kentucky University is cheaper on sticker tuition ($24,388 vs $27,000); Louisville places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (93.3% vs 84.4%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Louisville | Northern Kentucky University | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 157 | 154 | Louisville |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.67 | 3.41 | Louisville |
| Acceptance rate | 63.4% | 58.7% | Northern Kentucky University |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $27,000 | $24,388 | Northern Kentucky University |
| Non-resident tuition | $32,000 | $38,454 | Louisville |
| Median grant | $12,000 | $18,000 | Northern Kentucky University |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 75.61% | 73.85% | Louisville |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 86.75% | 82.86% | Louisville |
| Bar passage vs. state average | -2.9 pts | -5.7 pts | Louisville |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 93.3% | 84.4% | Louisville |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 15.1% | 11.5% | Louisville |
| Federal clerkships | 0.8% | 2.1% | Northern Kentucky University |
15-year trajectory
Full profiles & related
Louisville full profile · Northern Kentucky University full profile · All Kentucky law schools
FAQ
Is Louisville or Northern Kentucky University harder to get into?
Louisville is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 157 against Northern Kentucky University's 154.
Which is cheaper, Louisville or Northern Kentucky University?
Northern Kentucky University is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $24,388 versus Louisville's $27,000.
Which has better bar passage, Louisville or Northern Kentucky University?
Louisville has the higher first-time bar passage, 75.61% against Northern Kentucky University's 73.85%.
Which has better job outcomes, Louisville or Northern Kentucky University?
Louisville places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (93.3% vs 84.4%).
Louisville vs Northern Kentucky 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), Louisville 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.