Saint Louis University 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 157); Washington University (St. Louis) posts the higher first-time bar passage (93.57% vs 83.98%); Saint Louis University is cheaper on sticker tuition ($55,260 vs $72,792); Washington University (St. Louis) places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (97.8% vs 93.5%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Saint Louis University | Washington University (St. Louis) | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 157 | 175 | Washington University (St. Louis) |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.61 | 3.96 | Washington University (St. Louis) |
| Acceptance rate | 56.4% | 19% | Washington University (St. Louis) |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $55,260 | $72,792 | Saint Louis University |
| Non-resident tuition | $55,260 | $72,792 | Saint Louis University |
| Median grant | $25,000 | $48,000 | Washington University (St. Louis) |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 83.98% | 93.57% | Washington University (St. Louis) |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 88.33% | 96.79% | Washington University (St. Louis) |
| Bar passage vs. state average | +2.1 pts | +12.2 pts | Washington University (St. Louis) |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 93.5% | 97.8% | Washington University (St. Louis) |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 17.8% | 47.6% | Washington University (St. Louis) |
| Federal clerkships | 0% | 11.7% | Washington University (St. Louis) |
15-year trajectory
Full profiles & related
Saint Louis University full profile · Washington University (St. Louis) full profile · All Missouri law schools
FAQ
Is Saint Louis University or Washington University (St. Louis) harder to get into?
Washington University (St. Louis) is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 175 against Saint Louis University's 157.
Which is cheaper, Saint Louis University or Washington University (St. Louis)?
Saint Louis University is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $55,260 versus Washington University (St. Louis)'s $72,792.
Which has better bar passage, Saint Louis University or Washington University (St. Louis)?
Washington University (St. Louis) has the higher first-time bar passage, 93.57% against Saint Louis University's 83.98%.
Which has better job outcomes, Saint Louis University or Washington University (St. Louis)?
Washington University (St. Louis) places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (97.8% vs 93.5%).
Saint Louis University 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.