South Texas Houston vs. St. Mary's University: 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 65.84%); South Texas Houston is cheaper on sticker tuition ($42,960 vs $44,910); South Texas Houston places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (87.3% vs 86.2%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | South Texas Houston | St. Mary's University | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 155 | 153 | South Texas Houston |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.41 | 3.49 | St. Mary's University |
| Acceptance rate | 33.6% | 26% | St. Mary's University |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $42,960 | $44,910 | South Texas Houston |
| Non-resident tuition | $42,960 | $44,910 | South Texas Houston |
| Median grant | $11,000 | $12,500 | St. Mary's University |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 91.13% | 65.84% | South Texas Houston |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 93.36% | 86.67% | South Texas Houston |
| Bar passage vs. state average | +9.7 pts | -15.7 pts | South Texas Houston |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 87.3% | 86.2% | South Texas Houston |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 7.4% | 3.1% | South Texas Houston |
| Federal clerkships | 1% | 3.4% | St. Mary's University |
15-year trajectory
Full profiles & related
South Texas Houston full profile · St. Mary's University full profile · All Texas law schools
FAQ
Is South Texas Houston or St. Mary's University harder to get into?
South Texas Houston is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 155 against St. Mary's University's 153.
Which is cheaper, South Texas Houston or St. Mary's University?
South Texas Houston is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $42,960 versus St. Mary's University's $44,910.
Which has better bar passage, South Texas Houston or St. Mary's University?
South Texas Houston has the higher first-time bar passage, 91.13% against St. Mary's University's 65.84%.
Which has better job outcomes, South Texas Houston or St. Mary's University?
South Texas Houston places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (87.3% vs 86.2%).
South Texas Houston vs St. Mary's University: 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.