Document Type
Article
Publication Date
Spring 2023
Abstract
n Ultimate Bar Passage Rates: Which Law Schools Are Overperforming and Underperforming Expectations, Professor Jeffrey S. Kinsler examines whether law schools add measurable value to student bar passage outcomes beyond what would be predicted by entering credentials. Using a three-year dataset (2017–2019) for 186 ABA-approved law schools, the study employs linear regression models to assess the relationship between Median LSAT scores, Median undergraduate GPAs, and ultimate bar passage rates—defined by the ABA as passage within two years of graduation. The analysis confirms that entering credentials are predictive of ultimate bar passage outcomes but also demonstrates that some institutions significantly overperform or underperform predicted expectations. By calculating predicted passage rates and comparing them to actual outcomes, the article identifies schools that add the most “ultimate bar passage value.” The top five overperformers during the study period are Campbell University, Liberty University, Lincoln Memorial University, Belmont University, and Samford University. The study further finds substantial overlap between schools that overperform on first-time and ultimate bar passage metrics, suggesting institutional consistency in bar preparation effectiveness. The article contributes to ongoing debates about accreditation standards, educational quality, and transparency in legal education by providing a value-added framework for evaluating law school performance.
Recommended Citation
Jeffrey S. Kinsler, Ultimate Bar Passage Rates: Which Law School Are Overperforming and Underperforming Expectations, 52 J.L. & Educ. 158 (Spring 2023).
