Hate ads? Verify for LSD+ → Learn More

Follow @lawschooldata on TikTok & Instagram

Head-to-head · 37 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 59% chose Pittsburgh. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 37 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.

37
cross-admits
3
cycles
+13pt
YoY shift

Cross-admit decision

Of 37 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
Duquesne University logo Chose Duquesne University
41%
Chose Pittsburgh University of Pittsburgh logo
59%

Median scholarship (chose Duquesne University)

$135,591 / yr

Median scholarship (chose Pittsburgh)

$99,000 / yr
View all-time (68 cross-admits)
29% chose Duquesne University 71% chose Pittsburgh

Trend · Duquesne University's share

2023–2025

Lowest cycle

33%

Highest cycle

46%
3 cycles
100 50 0 23 24 25 2023: 33% 2024: 33% 2025: 46%
Duquesne University #100 · Pittsburgh #78 LSD n≈10/yr

Admissions

Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield
2025 ABA 509
Metric
Duquesne University logo
Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
University of Pittsburgh logo
Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
USN Rank
#85
#77
LSD Rank
75+ (0.002)
75+ (0.004)
LSAT 25th
155
158
LSAT Median
157
160
LSAT 75th
160
163
GPA Median
3.62
3.54
Acceptance Rate
43.2%
34.9%
Class Size
186
155
Yield Rate
29.9%
27.7%

Financial

Sticker price and scholarship aid
2025 ABA 509
Metric
Duquesne University logo
Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
University of Pittsburgh logo
Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Tuition (In-State)
$58,898
$39,936
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$58,898
$53,434
Median Grant
$30,000
$30,000
% Receiving Grants
96.0%
82.0%

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2025 ABA Employment
Metric
Duquesne University logo
Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
University of Pittsburgh logo
Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
BigLaw (501+)
5.3%
15.6%
Judicial Clerkships
5.3%
6.6%
Median Salary (Private)
-
-
Employment Rate
91.4%
87.7%
Bar Pass Rate
88.7%
86.3%

Overview

About Duquesne University vs Pittsburgh

Across 37 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 41% enrolled at Duquesne University and 59% at University of Pittsburgh. The split has shifted +13 points across the tracked cycles.

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.

Deciding between Duquesne University and Pittsburgh? Work with a consultant who knows both — backed by this exact data.
Join waitlist →

Compare another pair

vs
Detailed comparison narrative

This page compares Duquesne University and University of Pittsburgh across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 37 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 37 applicants admitted to both schools, 60% chose to attend University of Pittsburgh. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.

In the U.S. News rankings, University of Pittsburgh is ranked #77 compared to #85 — a gap of 8 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

Both schools are located in Pennsylvania — Duquesne University in Pittsburgh and University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh — meaning graduates often compete in the same regional legal market.

Employment outcomes differ substantially: University of Pittsburgh places 15.6% of graduates into large law firm positions, compared to 5.3% for the other school. This 10 percentage point gap is significant for applicants targeting BigLaw careers.

On cost, University of Pittsburgh has lower tuition at $39,936 per year compared to $58,898. Combined with employment rates of 91.4% (Duquesne University) and 87.7% (Pittsburgh), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants, Duquesne University offered a median scholarship of $135,591 compared to $99,000, a difference of $36,591 that may factor into enrollment decisions.