Seattle University vs. Washington: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
Both are Washington law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Washington is the more selective admit (median LSAT 165 vs 159); Washington posts the higher first-time bar passage (91.7% vs 78.7%); Washington is cheaper on sticker tuition ($45,927 vs $59,769); Washington places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (88.7% vs 82.8%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Seattle University | Washington | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 159 | 165 | Washington |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.60 | 3.76 | Washington |
| Acceptance rate | 38.9% | 19.6% | Washington |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $59,769 | $45,927 | Washington |
| Non-resident tuition | $59,769 | $57,810 | Washington |
| Median grant | $30,000 | $14,000 | Seattle University |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 78.7% | 91.7% | Washington |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 89.6% | 96.7% | Washington |
| Bar passage vs. state average | -3.5 pts | +9.5 pts | Washington |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 82.8% | 88.7% | Washington |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 4.9% | 19.8% | Washington |
| Federal clerkships | 0.0% | 1.7% | Washington |
trajectory since 2011
Full profiles & related
Seattle University full profile · Washington full profile · Pin both on the interactive map → · All Washington law schools
FAQ
Is Seattle University or Washington harder to get into?
Washington is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 165 against Seattle University's 159.
Which is cheaper, Seattle University or Washington?
Washington is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $45,927 versus Seattle University's $59,769.
Which has better bar passage, Seattle University or Washington?
Washington has the higher first-time bar passage, 91.7% against Seattle University's 78.7%.
Which has better job outcomes, Seattle University or Washington?
Washington places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (88.7% vs 82.8%).
Seattle University vs Washington: 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 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.