Missouri-Kansas City vs. Washington University (St. Louis): Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared

Both are Missouri law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Washington University (St. Louis) is the more selective admit (median LSAT 175 vs 156); Washington University (St. Louis) posts the higher first-time bar passage (93.57% vs 84.13%); Missouri-Kansas City is cheaper on sticker tuition ($22,794 vs $72,792); Washington University (St. Louis) places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (97.8% vs 87.5%).

Side by side (ABA Standard 509)

MetricMissouri-Kansas CityWashington University (St. Louis)Better
Admissions
Median LSAT156175Washington University (St. Louis)
Median undergraduate GPA3.653.96Washington University (St. Louis)
Acceptance rate45.9%19%Washington University (St. Louis)
Cost
Resident tuition$22,794$72,792Missouri-Kansas City
Non-resident tuition$28,594$72,792Missouri-Kansas City
Median grant$7,270$48,000Washington University (St. Louis)
Bar passage
First-time bar passage84.13%93.57%Washington University (St. Louis)
Two-year ultimate bar passage87.85%96.79%Washington University (St. Louis)
Bar passage vs. state average+2 pts+12.2 ptsWashington University (St. Louis)
Employment
Full-time, long-term JD employment87.5%97.8%Washington University (St. Louis)
Large-firm (250+) employment9.3%47.6%Washington University (St. Louis)
Federal clerkships1.6%11.7%Washington University (St. Louis)

15-year trajectory

First-time bar passage: 88.46% in 2011 to 84.13% in 202570%80%90%100%111315182022242584.13%
First-time bar passage · 2011–2025
Missouri-Kansas City — First-time bar passage
First-time bar passage: 87.94% in 2011 to 93.57% in 202580%85%90%95%111315182022242593.57%
First-time bar passage · 2011–2025
Washington University (St. Louis) — First-time bar passage
Resident tuition: $16,730 in 2011 to $22,794 in 2025$16,000$18,000$20,000$22,000$24,0001113151719212325$22,794
Resident tuition · 2011–2025
Missouri-Kansas City — Resident tuition
Resident tuition: $46,042 in 2011 to $72,792 in 2025$40,000$50,000$60,000$70,000$80,0001113151719212325$72,792
Resident tuition · 2011–2025
Washington University (St. Louis) — Resident tuition

Full profiles & related

Missouri-Kansas City full profile · Washington University (St. Louis) full profile · All Missouri law schools

FAQ

Is Missouri-Kansas City or Washington University (St. Louis) harder to get into?

Washington University (St. Louis) is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 175 against Missouri-Kansas City's 156.

Which is cheaper, Missouri-Kansas City or Washington University (St. Louis)?

Missouri-Kansas City is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $22,794 versus Washington University (St. Louis)'s $72,792.

Which has better bar passage, Missouri-Kansas City or Washington University (St. Louis)?

Washington University (St. Louis) has the higher first-time bar passage, 93.57% against Missouri-Kansas City's 84.13%.

Which has better job outcomes, Missouri-Kansas City or Washington University (St. Louis)?

Washington University (St. Louis) places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (97.8% vs 87.5%).

Missouri-Kansas City vs Washington University (St. Louis): 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), Washington University (St. Louis) 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.

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