Cooley Law School on Probation Over Low Bar Pass Rates
The American Bar Association’s Council on Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar has placed Cooley Law School on probation effective September 19, 2025, due to non-compliance with ABA Standard 316, which requires at least 75% of a law school’s graduates who took the bar exam to pass it within two years of their graduation. Cooley had asked for an extension to come into compliance but instead was put on probation.
Cooley reports that over 75% of its 2024 graduates who have taken a bar exam have passed. However, the ABA assessment indicates that Cooley currently does not meet Standard 316 because there remain a small number of graduates from 2024 who have not yet taken the bar by July 2025. Those yet-untaken exam results mean aggregate compliance isn’t confirmed yet.
While on probation, Cooley remains accredited by the ABA, students are still eligible for federal financial aid, and graduates remain eligible to sit for the bar exam. The probation means that the school has until February 2026 to show that it is in compliance and satisfy the ABA’s concerns. The ABA will next review accreditation status at that time.
Cooley also acknowledges the uncertainty: because the bar exam results for the remaining 2024 graduates aren’t yet known, there is a possibility the school will be able to prove compliance once those results are in. The school has expressed confidence that when full results are available, it will meet the Standard. Meanwhile, the probation serves as a warning and formal monitoring mechanism.
This probation reflects broader concerns about law school performance metrics, student outcomes, and the accountability mechanisms the ABA uses for accreditation. Many law schools have been under increasing pressure to improve bar pass rates, admissions practices, and support for students — especially those with weaker academic credentials or who take the bar exam later. Cooley has historically had low first-time bar pass rates and low ultimate bar pass rates in prior years (e.g. well under the 75% threshold) which contributed to the scrutiny under Standard 316.
Why It Matters
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Ensures accountability: Law schools being accredited must maintain certain performance standards so that students are likely to pass the bar and become licensed attorneys.
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Affects prospective students: Students considering enrolling need to know whether their degree is likely to enable them to pass the bar and practice; probation signals risk.
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Financial implications: Accreditation status affects eligibility for federal student aid, which is critical for many law students.
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Institutional reform pressure: Cooley may need to change admission standards, increase academic support, or revise how and when graduates take the bar exam.
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Broader legal profession quality: Law schools with low bar pass rates risk diluting the generally accepted baseline competency required in the profession.
Key Legal Outcomes (Legal / Regulatory)
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Cooley Law School is officially placed on probation by the ABA under Standard 316 as of September 19, 2025, for not currently meeting bar passage thresholds. Cooley Law School
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The probation gives Cooley a deadline of February 2026 to demonstrate compliance with the standard. Cooley Law School
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Cooley remains accredited for now; students are still eligible for bar exam and federal student aid. Cooley Law School
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The accreditation status will be reviewed by the ABA again in February 2026. Cooley Law School
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Cooley must report full results for all 2024 graduates who take the bar to confirm whether it meets the required 75% pass rate. Cooley Law School
Publication date & Live Link
- Publication date: September 23, 2025
- Money For Lunch: ABA Places Cooley Law School on Probation Over Low Bar-Pass Rates — Law.com
