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Head-to-head · 25 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 72% chose Temple University. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 25 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.

25
cross-admits
3
cycles
+32pt
YoY shift

Cross-admit decision

Of 25 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
Temple University logo Chose Temple University
72%
Chose PSU-Dickinson Pennsylvania State - Dickinson Law logo
28%

Median scholarship (chose Temple University)

$90,000 / yr

Median scholarship (chose PSU-Dickinson)

$154,500 / yr
View all-time (61 cross-admits)
71% chose Temple University 29% chose PSU-Dickinson

Trend · Temple University's share

2020–2025

Lowest cycle

50%

Highest cycle

82%
3 cycles
100 50 0 20 22 25 2020: 50% 2022: 67% 2025: 82%
Temple University #44 · PSU-Dickinson #70 LSD n≈7/yr

Admissions

Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield
2025 ABA 509
Metric
Temple University logo
Temple University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania State - Dickinson Law logo
PSU-Dickinson
Carlisle, Pennsylvania
USN Rank
#49
#59
LSD Rank
#44 (0.010)
Top 75 (0.004)
LSAT 25th
162
157
LSAT Median
165
159
LSAT 75th
168
161
GPA Median
3.76
3.71
Acceptance Rate
24.4%
43.0%
Class Size
237
215
Yield Rate
31.3%
25.3%

Financial

Sticker price, scholarships, and debt burden
2025 ABA 509
Metric
Temple University logo
Temple University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania State - Dickinson Law logo
PSU-Dickinson
Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Tuition (In-State)
$32,588
$60,048
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$48,996
$60,048
Median Grant
$31,334
$36,000
% Receiving Grants
85.0%
100.0%
Avg. Debt at Graduation
-
-

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2024 ABA Employment
Metric
Temple University logo
Temple University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania State - Dickinson Law logo
PSU-Dickinson
Carlisle, Pennsylvania
BigLaw (501+)
18.2%
8.3%
Judicial Clerkships
15.6%
7.0%
Median Salary (Private)
$150,000
-
Employment Rate
93.8%
93.0%
Bar Pass Rate
90.3%
87.0%

Overview

About Temple University vs PSU-Dickinson

Across 25 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 72% enrolled at Temple University and 28% at Pennsylvania State - Dickinson Law. The split has shifted +32 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 Temple University and Pennsylvania State - Dickinson Law across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 25 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 25 applicants admitted to both schools, 72% chose to attend Temple University. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.

In the U.S. News rankings, Temple University is ranked #49 compared to #59 — a gap of 10 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

There is a meaningful difference in admissions competitiveness: Temple University has a median LSAT of 165 compared to 159, a gap of 6 points. This suggests applicants to Temple University face a more competitive admissions pool.

Temple University is significantly more selective, with an acceptance rate of 24.4% compared to Pennsylvania State - Dickinson Law's 43.0%.

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

On cost, Temple University has lower tuition at $32,588 per year compared to $60,048. Combined with employment rates of 93.8% (Temple University) and 93.0% (PSU-Dickinson), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants, Pennsylvania State - Dickinson Law offered a median scholarship of $154,500 compared to $90,000, a difference of $64,500 that may factor into enrollment decisions.