News Summary
The Ohio State University’s Moritz College of Law has reported impressive results on the July bar exam, leading Ohio law schools with 72% overall and 80% first-time passage rates. Out of 967 candidates, 693 passed the exam. While the university’s performance shows a decline from last year’s numbers, it remains a commendable achievement. With increasing participation from graduates, the results highlight the dynamics of law school preparations and the implications for future law education in the state.
Columbus, Ohio – The Ohio State University’s Moritz College of Law has achieved a record-breaking performance on the July 2025 bar exam, leading among Ohio law schools with the highest overall and first-time passage rates. Out of 967 candidates who took the exam, 693 passed, yielding an overall passage rate of 72%. First-time takers demonstrated an impressive 80% passage rate, with 815 candidates sitting for the exam.
While the results indicate a strong showing by Ohio State, there has been a slight decline from the previous year’s results. In July 2024, the overall passage rate was reported at 75%, while first-time rates reached 83%. A total of nine law schools participated in the July 2025 exam, showcasing varying levels of success across the board.
Participation Numbers Vary Across Schools
Cleveland State University recorded the highest number of candidates with 131 graduates taking the exam, including 112 first-time test-takers. The Ohio State University followed closely, sending 125 graduates to the bar, with 118 being first-time participants. This increase in participation is typical for the July exam cycle, as it typically draws more candidates owing to spring graduations.
Exam Performance Breakdown
The performance of various law schools in Ohio showcases a diverse landscape in bar exam results. Ohio Northern University posted the lowest overall passage rate at 36%, with a first-time rate of 47%. Meanwhile, Capital University achieved a total passage rate of 63%, with first-time candidates passing at a rate of 74%. The University of Akron reported a total passage rate of 64% and a first-time rate of 68%.
Cleveland State University’s total passage rate was 66%, while first-time test-takers fared better at 81%. The University of Toledo reported a total passage rate of 75%, with 86% of first-time candidates passing the exam. The University of Dayton and Case Western Reserve University both recorded total passage rates of 76%, with first-time rates of 83% and 82%, respectively. The University of Cincinnati achieved a total passage rate of 80%, with first-time candidates passing at an 83% rate.
The Ohio State University’s Standout Achievement
Leading the rankings, the Ohio State University achieved a remarkable total passage rate of 90% and an impressive first-time rate of 94%. This achievement underscores the effectiveness of their law program and the preparation provided to their graduates.
Context of Bar Exam Trends
The Ohio bar exam is administered twice a year, but the July session tends to host more candidates due to the influx of spring graduates. In contrast, the February 2025 exam saw only 147 candidates, with a cumulative passage rate of 43% and a first-time passage rate of 65%. The decline in passage rates from 2024 may indicate broader trends in law education or changing expectations for legal practice as well.
Implications for Law Schools
The latest bar exam results come alongside a broader examination of law school rankings across the state. The Ohio State University is currently ranked 28th (tie) in the 2025 U.S. News rankings, a slight drop from its previous rank of 26th. Notably, enrollment figures show that the Ohio State University currently has 482 full-time students, with a median LSAT score of 166 and an acceptance rate of 29.4%.
Overall, these results reflect the ongoing efforts of Ohio law schools to prepare their graduates for successful bar exam outcomes, showcasing both the challenges and achievements reflected in the July 2025 exam performance.
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Additional Resources
- Crain’s Cleveland Business: Ohio Law Schools July 2025 Bar Exam Results
- Reuters: Ohio Review of ABA Accreditation
- Law.com: Ohio Supreme Court Evaluating Law School Accreditation
- Wikipedia: Bar Exam
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Law School
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