University of Pennsylvania vs Villanova University

This page compares University of Pennsylvania and Villanova University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes using official ABA 509 disclosures.

In the U.S. News rankings, University of Pennsylvania is ranked #5 compared to #48 — a gap of 43 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

There is a meaningful difference in admissions competitiveness: University of Pennsylvania has a median LSAT of 173 compared to 164, a gap of 9 points. This suggests applicants to University of Pennsylvania face a more competitive admissions pool.

University of Pennsylvania is significantly more selective, with an acceptance rate of 8.1% compared to Villanova University's 25.9%.

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

Employment outcomes differ substantially: University of Pennsylvania places 64.1% of graduates into large law firm positions, compared to 20.1% for the other school. This 44 percentage point gap is significant for applicants targeting BigLaw careers.

On cost, Villanova University has lower tuition at $59,800 per year compared to $78,348. Combined with employment rates of 92.8% (UPenn) and 92.5% ('Nova), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants, University of Pennsylvania offered a median scholarship of $135,500 compared to $125,445, a difference of $10,055 that may factor into enrollment decisions.