St. Mary's University 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 153); Texas Tech University posts the higher first-time bar passage (86.3% vs 65.84%); Texas Tech University is cheaper on sticker tuition ($22,590 vs $44,910); Texas Tech University places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (92.6% vs 86.2%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | St. Mary's University | Texas Tech University | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 153 | 159 | Texas Tech University |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.49 | 3.69 | Texas Tech University |
| Acceptance rate | 26% | 25.6% | Texas Tech University |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $44,910 | $22,590 | Texas Tech University |
| Non-resident tuition | $44,910 | $33,840 | Texas Tech University |
| Median grant | $12,500 | $12,000 | St. Mary's University |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 65.84% | 86.3% | Texas Tech University |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 86.67% | 96.03% | Texas Tech University |
| Bar passage vs. state average | -15.7 pts | +4.8 pts | Texas Tech University |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 86.2% | 92.6% | Texas Tech University |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 3.1% | 5.9% | Texas Tech University |
| Federal clerkships | 3.4% | 0.7% | St. Mary's University |
15-year trajectory
Full profiles & related
St. Mary's University full profile · Texas Tech University full profile · All Texas law schools
FAQ
Is St. Mary's University or Texas Tech University harder to get into?
Texas Tech University is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 159 against St. Mary's University's 153.
Which is cheaper, St. Mary's University or Texas Tech University?
Texas Tech University is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $22,590 versus St. Mary's University's $44,910.
Which has better bar passage, St. Mary's University or Texas Tech University?
Texas Tech University has the higher first-time bar passage, 86.3% against St. Mary's University's 65.84%.
Which has better job outcomes, St. Mary's University or Texas Tech University?
Texas Tech University places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (92.6% vs 86.2%).
St. Mary's University 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.