South Texas Houston vs. Texas Southern 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 150); South Texas Houston posts the higher first-time bar passage (91.13% vs 72.36%); Texas Southern University is cheaper on sticker tuition ($19,202 vs $42,960); South Texas Houston places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (87.3% vs 57.3%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | South Texas Houston | Texas Southern University | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 155 | 150 | South Texas Houston |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.41 | 3.33 | South Texas Houston |
| Acceptance rate | 33.6% | 33.1% | Texas Southern University |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $42,960 | $19,202 | Texas Southern University |
| Non-resident tuition | $42,960 | $26,331 | Texas Southern University |
| Median grant | $11,000 | $7,363 | South Texas Houston |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 91.13% | 72.36% | South Texas Houston |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 93.36% | 76% | South Texas Houston |
| Bar passage vs. state average | +9.7 pts | -8.9 pts | South Texas Houston |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 87.3% | 57.3% | South Texas Houston |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 7.4% | 9.8% | Texas Southern University |
| Federal clerkships | 1% | 0.6% | South Texas Houston |
15-year trajectory
Full profiles & related
South Texas Houston full profile · Texas Southern University full profile · All Texas law schools
FAQ
Is South Texas Houston or Texas Southern University harder to get into?
South Texas Houston is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 155 against Texas Southern University's 150.
Which is cheaper, South Texas Houston or Texas Southern University?
Texas Southern University is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $19,202 versus South Texas Houston's $42,960.
Which has better bar passage, South Texas Houston or Texas Southern University?
South Texas Houston has the higher first-time bar passage, 91.13% against Texas Southern University's 72.36%.
Which has better job outcomes, South Texas Houston or Texas Southern University?
South Texas Houston places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (87.3% vs 57.3%).
South Texas Houston vs Texas Southern 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.