Missouri 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 161); Washington University (St. Louis) posts the higher first-time bar passage (93.6% vs 83.3%); Missouri is cheaper on sticker tuition ($23,548 vs $72,792); Washington University (St. Louis) places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (97.8% vs 96.0%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Missouri | Washington University (St. Louis) | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 161 | 175 | Washington University (St. Louis) |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.72 | 3.96 | Washington University (St. Louis) |
| Acceptance rate | 42.0% | 19.0% | Washington University (St. Louis) |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $23,548 | $72,792 | Missouri |
| Non-resident tuition | $29,812 | $72,792 | Missouri |
| Median grant | $17,500 | $48,000 | Washington University (St. Louis) |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 83.3% | 93.6% | Washington University (St. Louis) |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 96.5% | 96.8% | Washington University (St. Louis) |
| Bar passage vs. state average | +1.2 pts | +12.2 pts | Washington University (St. Louis) |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 96.0% | 97.8% | Washington University (St. Louis) |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 10.4% | 47.6% | Washington University (St. Louis) |
| Federal clerkships | 0.8% | 11.7% | Washington University (St. Louis) |
trajectory since 2011
Full profiles & related
Missouri full profile · Washington University (St. Louis) full profile · Pin both on the interactive map → · All Missouri law schools
FAQ
Is Missouri or Washington University (St. Louis) harder to get into?
Washington University (St. Louis) is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 175 against Missouri's 161.
Which is cheaper, Missouri or Washington University (St. Louis)?
Missouri is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $23,548 versus Washington University (St. Louis)'s $72,792.
Which has better bar passage, Missouri or Washington University (St. Louis)?
Washington University (St. Louis) has the higher first-time bar passage, 93.6% against Missouri's 83.3%.
Which has better job outcomes, Missouri or Washington University (St. Louis)?
Washington University (St. Louis) places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (97.8% vs 96.0%).
Missouri 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.