University of the Pacific vs. San Francisco: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
Both are California law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, University of the Pacific is the more selective admit (median LSAT 156 vs 155); San Francisco posts the higher first-time bar passage (74.56% vs 70.55%); San Francisco is cheaper on sticker tuition ($59,800 vs $62,678); San Francisco places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (84.2% vs 79.7%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | University of the Pacific | San Francisco | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 156 | 155 | University of the Pacific |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.52 | 3.47 | University of the Pacific |
| Acceptance rate | 54.4% | 42.4% | San Francisco |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $62,678 | $59,800 | San Francisco |
| Non-resident tuition | $62,678 | $59,800 | San Francisco |
| Median grant | $30,426 | $33,718 | San Francisco |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 70.55% | 74.56% | San Francisco |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 86.01% | 83.09% | University of the Pacific |
| Bar passage vs. state average | -7.1 pts | -3.2 pts | San Francisco |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 79.7% | 84.2% | San Francisco |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 4.8% | 17.5% | San Francisco |
| Federal clerkships | 1.4% | 0% | University of the Pacific |
15-year trajectory
Full profiles & related
University of the Pacific full profile · San Francisco full profile · All California law schools
FAQ
Is University of the Pacific or San Francisco harder to get into?
University of the Pacific is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 156 against San Francisco's 155.
Which is cheaper, University of the Pacific or San Francisco?
San Francisco is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $59,800 versus University of the Pacific's $62,678.
Which has better bar passage, University of the Pacific or San Francisco?
San Francisco has the higher first-time bar passage, 74.56% against University of the Pacific's 70.55%.
Which has better job outcomes, University of the Pacific or San Francisco?
San Francisco places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (84.2% vs 79.7%).
University of the Pacific vs San Francisco: 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), San Francisco 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.