Drexel University vs. Pittsburgh: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
Both are Pennsylvania law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Pittsburgh posts the higher first-time bar passage (86.33% vs 85%); Pittsburgh is cheaper on sticker tuition ($39,936 vs $57,000); Drexel University places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (89.5% vs 89.3%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Drexel University | Pittsburgh | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 160 | 160 | Tie |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.76 | 3.54 | Drexel University |
| Acceptance rate | 29.6% | 34.9% | Drexel University |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $57,000 | $39,936 | Pittsburgh |
| Non-resident tuition | $57,000 | $53,434 | Pittsburgh |
| Median grant | $28,667 | $30,000 | Pittsburgh |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 85% | 86.33% | Pittsburgh |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 91.5% | 91.8% | Pittsburgh |
| Bar passage vs. state average | +5.5 pts | +6.1 pts | Pittsburgh |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 89.5% | 89.3% | Drexel University |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 15.8% | 20.5% | Pittsburgh |
| Federal clerkships | 0% | 3.3% | Pittsburgh |
15-year trajectory
Full profiles & related
Drexel University full profile · Pittsburgh full profile · All Pennsylvania law schools
FAQ
Which is cheaper, Drexel University or Pittsburgh?
Pittsburgh is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $39,936 versus Drexel University's $57,000.
Which has better bar passage, Drexel University or Pittsburgh?
Pittsburgh has the higher first-time bar passage, 86.33% against Drexel University's 85%.
Which has better job outcomes, Drexel University or Pittsburgh?
Drexel University places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (89.5% vs 89.3%).
Drexel University vs Pittsburgh: 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), Pittsburgh 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.