South Texas Houston vs. Texas Tech University: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
Both are Texas law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Texas Tech University is the more selective admit (median LSAT 159 vs 155); South Texas Houston posts the higher first-time bar passage (91.13% vs 86.3%); Texas Tech University is cheaper on sticker tuition ($22,590 vs $42,960); Texas Tech University places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (92.6% vs 87.3%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | South Texas Houston | Texas Tech University | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 155 | 159 | Texas Tech University |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.41 | 3.69 | Texas Tech University |
| Acceptance rate | 33.6% | 25.6% | Texas Tech University |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $42,960 | $22,590 | Texas Tech University |
| Non-resident tuition | $42,960 | $33,840 | Texas Tech University |
| Median grant | $11,000 | $12,000 | Texas Tech University |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 91.13% | 86.3% | South Texas Houston |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 93.36% | 96.03% | Texas Tech University |
| Bar passage vs. state average | +9.7 pts | +4.8 pts | South Texas Houston |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 87.3% | 92.6% | Texas Tech University |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 7.4% | 5.9% | South Texas Houston |
| Federal clerkships | 1% | 0.7% | South Texas Houston |
15-year trajectory
Full profiles & related
South Texas Houston full profile · Texas Tech University full profile · All Texas law schools
FAQ
Is South Texas Houston or Texas Tech University harder to get into?
Texas Tech University is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 159 against South Texas Houston's 155.
Which is cheaper, South Texas Houston or Texas Tech University?
Texas Tech University is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $22,590 versus South Texas Houston's $42,960.
Which has better bar passage, South Texas Houston or Texas Tech University?
South Texas Houston has the higher first-time bar passage, 91.13% against Texas Tech University's 86.3%.
Which has better job outcomes, South Texas Houston or Texas Tech University?
Texas Tech University places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (92.6% vs 87.3%).
South Texas Houston vs Texas Tech 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), Texas Tech University 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.