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Head-to-head · 17 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 94% chose OSU. 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
Ohio State University logo Chose OSU
94%
Chose Pittsburgh University of Pittsburgh logo
6%

Median scholarship (chose OSU)

$96,000 / yr

Median scholarship (chose Pittsburgh)

$96,000 / yr
View all-time (36 cross-admits)
89% chose OSU 11% chose Pittsburgh
Rank summary
OSU
#32
LSD
USN #30
Pittsburgh
#78
LSD
USN #77
LSD rank reflects where admitted applicants actually enroll. USN ranks come from US News.

Admissions

Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield
2025 ABA 509
Metric
Ohio State University logo
OSU
Columbus , Ohio
University of Pittsburgh logo
Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
USN Rank
#30
#77
LSD Rank
#32 (0.015)
75+ (0.004)
LSAT 25th
163
158
LSAT Median
168
160
LSAT 75th
169
163
GPA Median
3.91
3.54
Acceptance Rate
24.6%
34.9%
Class Size
159
155
Yield Rate
28.0%
27.7%

Financial

Sticker price, scholarships, and debt burden
2025 ABA 509
Metric
Ohio State University logo
OSU
Columbus , Ohio
University of Pittsburgh logo
Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Tuition (In-State)
$35,650
$39,936
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$50,902
$53,434
Median Grant
$29,984
$30,000
% Receiving Grants
90.0%
82.0%
Avg. Debt at Graduation
-
-

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2024 ABA Employment
Metric
Ohio State University logo
OSU
Columbus , Ohio
University of Pittsburgh logo
Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
BigLaw (501+)
12.8%
14.5%
Judicial Clerkships
6.7%
12.4%
Median Salary (Private)
$105,000
-
Employment Rate
94.4%
88.3%
Bar Pass Rate
92.0%
86.3%

Overview

About OSU vs Pittsburgh

Across 17 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 94% enrolled at Ohio State University and 6% at University of Pittsburgh.

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 Ohio State University and University of Pittsburgh across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes using official ABA 509 disclosures.

In the U.S. News rankings, Ohio State University is ranked #30 compared to #77 — a gap of 47 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

There is a meaningful difference in admissions competitiveness: Ohio State University has a median LSAT of 168 compared to 160, a gap of 8 points. This suggests applicants to Ohio State University face a more competitive admissions pool.

Ohio State University is located in Columbus , Ohio, while University of Pittsburgh is in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Regional placement matters: graduates tend to find employment near their law school, so location should factor into your decision alongside rankings and cost.