North Texas at Dallas vs. South Texas Houston: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
Both are Texas law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, South Texas Houston is the more selective admit (median LSAT 155 vs 153); South Texas Houston posts the higher first-time bar passage (91.13% vs 72.53%); North Texas at Dallas is cheaper on sticker tuition ($16,298 vs $42,960); South Texas Houston places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (87.3% vs 84.2%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | North Texas at Dallas | South Texas Houston | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 153 | 155 | South Texas Houston |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.41 | 3.41 | Tie |
| Acceptance rate | 24.2% | 33.6% | North Texas at Dallas |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $16,298 | $42,960 | North Texas at Dallas |
| Non-resident tuition | $28,333 | $42,960 | North Texas at Dallas |
| Median grant | $5,000 | $11,000 | South Texas Houston |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 72.53% | 91.13% | South Texas Houston |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 91.43% | 93.36% | South Texas Houston |
| Bar passage vs. state average | -8.9 pts | +9.7 pts | South Texas Houston |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 84.2% | 87.3% | South Texas Houston |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 5% | 7.4% | South Texas Houston |
| Federal clerkships | 2.5% | 1% | North Texas at Dallas |
15-year trajectory
Full profiles & related
North Texas at Dallas full profile · South Texas Houston full profile · All Texas law schools
FAQ
Is North Texas at Dallas or South Texas Houston harder to get into?
South Texas Houston is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 155 against North Texas at Dallas's 153.
Which is cheaper, North Texas at Dallas or South Texas Houston?
North Texas at Dallas is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $16,298 versus South Texas Houston's $42,960.
Which has better bar passage, North Texas at Dallas or South Texas Houston?
South Texas Houston has the higher first-time bar passage, 91.13% against North Texas at Dallas's 72.53%.
Which has better job outcomes, North Texas at Dallas or South Texas Houston?
South Texas Houston places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (87.3% vs 84.2%).
North Texas at Dallas vs South Texas Houston: 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), South Texas Houston 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.