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Head-to-head · 17 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 71% chose PSU-Dickinson. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 17 self-reported decisions and ABA 509 filings.

Choice, not ranking

These are decisions, not opinions. Scholarship offers, location, intended practice, and personal fit are all priced into the split.

17
cross-admits

Cross-admit decision

Of 17 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
Pennsylvania State - Dickinson Law logo Chose PSU-Dickinson
71%
Chose Duquesne University Duquesne University logo
29%

Typical aid · ABA 509 · 2025

per year
$36,000
100.0% get a grant
$24,048 net tuition
$30,000
96.0% get a grant
$28,898 net tuition

Cross-admits who enrolled · self-reported, 3-yr award

$120,000
n = 12
$171,000
n = 5
View all-time (21 cross-admits)
62% chose PSU-Dickinson 38% chose Duquesne University
Rank summary
PSU-Dickinson
#69
LSD
USN #59
Duquesne University
#80
LSD
USN #85
LSD rank reflects where admitted applicants actually enroll. USN ranks come from US News.

Admissions

Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield
2025 ABA 509
Metric
Pennsylvania State - Dickinson Law logo
PSU-Dickinson
Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Duquesne University logo
Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
USN Rank
#59
#85
LSD Rank
Top 75 (0.004)
75+ (0.003)
LSAT 25th
157
155
LSAT Median
159
157
LSAT 75th
161
160
GPA Median
3.71
3.62
Acceptance Rate
43.0%
43.2%
Class Size
215
186
Yield Rate
25.3%
29.9%

Financial

Sticker price and scholarship aid
2025 ABA 509
Metric
Pennsylvania State - Dickinson Law logo
PSU-Dickinson
Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Duquesne University logo
Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Tuition (In-State)
$60,048
$58,898
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$60,048
$58,898
Median Grant
$36,000
$30,000
% Receiving Grants
100.0%
96.0%

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2025 ABA Employment
Metric
Pennsylvania State - Dickinson Law logo
PSU-Dickinson
Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Duquesne University logo
Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
BigLaw (501+)
6.3%
5.3%
Federal Clerkships
1.8%
2.0%
State & Local Clerkships
6.7%
3.3%
Median Salary (Private)
-
-
Employment Rate
87.9%
91.4%
Bar Pass Rate
87.0%
88.7%

Overview

About PSU-Dickinson vs Duquesne University

Across 17 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 71% enrolled at Pennsylvania State - Dickinson Law and 29% at Duquesne University.

These numbers reflect every factor that goes into a real decision: scholarship offers, geographic preference, intended practice area, and fit. Choosing one school doesn't mean it's "better" — it means the pool of cross-admits, weighing their options, ended up there more often. Pair this with the scholarship distribution and employment outcomes above for full context.

Looking at a different matchup? Browse all comparisons or run a custom pair from the index.

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Detailed comparison narrative

This page compares Pennsylvania State - Dickinson Law and Duquesne University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes using official ABA 509 disclosures.

In the U.S. News rankings, Pennsylvania State - Dickinson Law is ranked #59 compared to #85 — a gap of 26 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

Both schools are located in Pennsylvania — Pennsylvania State - Dickinson Law in Carlisle and Duquesne University in Pittsburgh — meaning graduates often compete in the same regional legal market.

Among cross-admitted applicants who enrolled, those choosing Duquesne University reported a higher median scholarship — $171,000 versus $120,000 over three years — though aid is one of several factors behind the enrollment decision.