Southern California vs. Stanford University: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
Both are California law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Stanford University is the more selective admit (median LSAT 173 vs 169); Stanford University posts the higher first-time bar passage (96.5% vs 94.01%); Stanford University is cheaper on sticker tuition ($77,454 vs $84,034); Southern California places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (96.5% vs 91.6%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Southern California | Stanford University | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 169 | 173 | Stanford University |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.91 | 3.96 | Stanford University |
| Acceptance rate | 11.2% | 6.1% | Stanford University |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $84,034 | $77,454 | Stanford University |
| Non-resident tuition | $84,034 | $77,454 | Stanford University |
| Median grant | $40,092 | $52,797 | Stanford University |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 94.01% | 96.5% | Stanford University |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 95.73% | 98.9% | Stanford University |
| Bar passage vs. state average | +15.3 pts | +15.1 pts | Southern California |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 96.5% | 91.6% | Southern California |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 63% | 46.4% | Southern California |
| Federal clerkships | 3.5% | 19.5% | Stanford University |
15-year trajectory
Full profiles & related
Southern California full profile · Stanford University full profile · All California law schools
FAQ
Is Southern California or Stanford University harder to get into?
Stanford University is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 173 against Southern California's 169.
Which is cheaper, Southern California or Stanford University?
Stanford University is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $77,454 versus Southern California's $84,034.
Which has better bar passage, Southern California or Stanford University?
Stanford University has the higher first-time bar passage, 96.5% against Southern California's 94.01%.
Which has better job outcomes, Southern California or Stanford University?
Southern California places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (96.5% vs 91.6%).
Southern California vs Stanford 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), Stanford 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.