Drexel University vs. Pennsylvania: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
Both are Pennsylvania law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Pennsylvania is the more selective admit (median LSAT 173 vs 160); Pennsylvania posts the higher first-time bar passage (96.7% vs 85%); Drexel University is cheaper on sticker tuition ($57,000 vs $78,348); Pennsylvania places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (99.6% vs 89.5%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Drexel University | Pennsylvania | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 160 | 173 | Pennsylvania |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.76 | 3.95 | Pennsylvania |
| Acceptance rate | 29.6% | 8.1% | Pennsylvania |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $57,000 | $78,348 | Drexel University |
| Non-resident tuition | $57,000 | $78,348 | Drexel University |
| Median grant | $28,667 | $42,246 | Pennsylvania |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 85% | 96.7% | Pennsylvania |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 91.5% | 97.66% | Pennsylvania |
| Bar passage vs. state average | +5.5 pts | +13.8 pts | Pennsylvania |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 89.5% | 99.6% | Pennsylvania |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 15.8% | 70.7% | Pennsylvania |
| Federal clerkships | 0% | 7.9% | Pennsylvania |
15-year trajectory
Full profiles & related
Drexel University full profile · Pennsylvania full profile · All Pennsylvania law schools
FAQ
Is Drexel University or Pennsylvania harder to get into?
Pennsylvania is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 173 against Drexel University's 160.
Which is cheaper, Drexel University or Pennsylvania?
Drexel University is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $57,000 versus Pennsylvania's $78,348.
Which has better bar passage, Drexel University or Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania has the higher first-time bar passage, 96.7% against Drexel University's 85%.
Which has better job outcomes, Drexel University or Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (99.6% vs 89.5%).
Drexel University vs Pennsylvania: which is better?
It depends on what you weigh — the table above shows where each wins. Across the four headline measures (selectivity, sticker cost, first-time bar passage, and JD employment), Pennsylvania leads on more of them, but read the row that matters most to you rather than the count.
Source: ABA Standard 509 Required Disclosures, most recent reported cycle. Last updated June 26, 2026.