Hate ads? Verify for LSD+ → Learn More

Head-to-head · 24 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 50% chose PSU-Dickinson. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 24 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.

24
cross-admits
4
cycles
+56pt
YoY shift

Cross-admit decision

Of 24 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
Pennsylvania State - Dickinson Law logo Chose PSU-Dickinson
50%
Chose Pittsburgh University of Pittsburgh logo
50%

Median scholarship (chose PSU-Dickinson)

$158,000 / yr

Median scholarship (chose Pittsburgh)

$108,000 / yr
View all-time (67 cross-admits)
42% chose PSU-Dickinson 58% chose Pittsburgh

Trend · PSU-Dickinson's share

2005–2025

Lowest cycle

0%

Highest cycle

56%
4 cycles
100 50 0 05 08 24 25 2005: 0% 2008: 44% 2024: 0% 2025: 56%
PSU-Dickinson #70 · Pittsburgh #78 LSD n≈7/yr

Admissions

Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield
2025 ABA 509
Metric
Pennsylvania State - Dickinson Law logo
PSU-Dickinson
Carlisle, Pennsylvania
University of Pittsburgh logo
Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
USN Rank
#59
#77
LSD Rank
Top 75 (0.004)
75+ (0.004)
LSAT 25th
157
158
LSAT Median
159
160
LSAT 75th
161
163
GPA Median
3.71
3.54
Acceptance Rate
43.0%
34.9%
Class Size
215
155
Yield Rate
25.3%
27.7%

Financial

Sticker price, scholarships, and debt burden
2025 ABA 509
Metric
Pennsylvania State - Dickinson Law logo
PSU-Dickinson
Carlisle, Pennsylvania
University of Pittsburgh logo
Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Tuition (In-State)
$60,048
$39,936
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$60,048
$53,434
Median Grant
$36,000
$30,000
% Receiving Grants
100.0%
82.0%
Avg. Debt at Graduation
-
-

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2024 ABA Employment
Metric
Pennsylvania State - Dickinson Law logo
PSU-Dickinson
Carlisle, Pennsylvania
University of Pittsburgh logo
Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
BigLaw (501+)
8.3%
14.5%
Judicial Clerkships
7.0%
12.4%
Median Salary (Private)
-
-
Employment Rate
93.0%
88.3%
Bar Pass Rate
87.0%
86.3%

Overview

About PSU-Dickinson vs Pittsburgh

Across 24 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 50% enrolled at Pennsylvania State - Dickinson Law and 50% at University of Pittsburgh. The split has shifted +56 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 PSU-Dickinson 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 Pennsylvania State - Dickinson Law and University of Pittsburgh across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 24 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 24 applicants admitted to both schools, 50% 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, Pennsylvania State - Dickinson Law is ranked #59 compared to #77 — a gap of 18 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

Both schools are located in Pennsylvania — Pennsylvania State - Dickinson Law in Carlisle and University of Pittsburgh 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 $60,048. Combined with employment rates of 93.0% (PSU-Dickinson) and 88.3% (Pittsburgh), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants, Pennsylvania State - Dickinson Law offered a median scholarship of $158,000 compared to $108,000, a difference of $50,000 that may factor into enrollment decisions.