Head-to-head · 12 cross-admits
When applicants got into both, 92% chose 'Nova. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 12 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.
Cross-admit decision
Chose 'Nova
Median scholarship (chose 'Nova)
Median scholarship (chose PSU)
Admissions
Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield 2025 ABA 509
Financial
Sticker price, scholarships, and debt burden 2025 ABA 509
Employment & outcomes
Post-graduation placement and bar passage 2024 ABA Employment
Cross-admit by cycle
How preferences shifted over recent cyclesRelated comparisons
Other popular cross-admit matchups
Temple University
43
George Washington University
24
Northeastern University
21
American University
19
Fordham University
16
Villanova University
12
Overview
About 'Nova vs PSU
Across 12 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 92% enrolled at Villanova University and 8% at Pennsylvania State - Penn State Law.
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.
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Compare another pair
Detailed comparison narrative
This page compares Villanova University and Pennsylvania State - Penn State Law across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes using official ABA 509 disclosures.
In the U.S. News rankings, Villanova University is ranked #49 compared to #62 — a gap of 13 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.
There is a meaningful difference in admissions competitiveness: Villanova University has a median LSAT of 164 compared to 155, a gap of 9 points. This suggests applicants to Villanova University face a more competitive admissions pool.
Villanova University is significantly more selective, with an acceptance rate of 25.9% compared to Pennsylvania State - Penn State Law's 51.4%.
Both schools are located in Pennsylvania — Villanova University in Villanova and Pennsylvania State - Penn State Law in State College — meaning graduates often compete in the same regional legal market.
Among cross-admitted applicants, Pennsylvania State - Penn State Law offered a median scholarship of $159,000 compared to $140,000, a difference of $19,000 that may factor into enrollment decisions.