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Head-to-head · 37 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 60% 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
University of Pittsburgh logo Chose Pittsburgh
60%
Chose Duquesne University Duquesne University logo
40%

Median scholarship (chose Pittsburgh)

$99,000 / yr

Median scholarship (chose Duquesne University)

$135,591 / yr
View all-time (68 cross-admits)
71% chose Pittsburgh 29% chose Duquesne University

Trend · Pittsburgh's share

2023–2025

Lowest cycle

54%

Highest cycle

67%
3 cycles
100 50 0 23 24 25 2023: 67% 2024: 67% 2025: 54%
Pittsburgh #78 · Duquesne University #100 LSD n≈10/yr

Admissions

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

Financial

Sticker price, scholarships, and debt burden
2025 ABA 509
Metric
University of Pittsburgh logo
Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Duquesne University logo
Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Tuition (In-State)
$39,936
$58,898
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$53,434
$58,898
Median Grant
$30,000
$30,000
% Receiving Grants
82.0%
96.0%
Avg. Debt at Graduation
-
-

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2024 ABA Employment
Metric
University of Pittsburgh logo
Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Duquesne University logo
Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
BigLaw (501+)
14.5%
7.0%
Judicial Clerkships
12.4%
8.3%
Median Salary (Private)
-
$80,000
Employment Rate
88.3%
91.7%
Bar Pass Rate
86.3%
88.7%

Overview

About Pittsburgh vs Duquesne University

Across 37 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 60% enrolled at University of Pittsburgh and 40% at Duquesne University. 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.

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Detailed comparison narrative

This page compares University of Pittsburgh and Duquesne University 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 — University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh and Duquesne University in Pittsburgh — meaning graduates often compete in the same regional legal market.

On cost, University of Pittsburgh has lower tuition at $39,936 per year compared to $58,898. Combined with employment rates of 88.3% (Pittsburgh) and 91.7% (Duquesne University), 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.