Duquesne University vs. Penn State Dickinson Law: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
Both are Pennsylvania law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Penn State Dickinson Law is the more selective admit (median LSAT 159 vs 157); Duquesne University posts the higher first-time bar passage (88.74% vs 87.04%); Duquesne University is cheaper on sticker tuition ($58,898 vs $60,048); Duquesne University places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (90.1% vs 87%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Duquesne University | Penn State Dickinson Law | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 157 | 159 | Penn State Dickinson Law |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.62 | 3.71 | Penn State Dickinson Law |
| Acceptance rate | 43.2% | 43% | Penn State Dickinson Law |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $58,898 | $60,048 | Duquesne University |
| Non-resident tuition | $58,898 | $60,048 | Duquesne University |
| Median grant | $30,000 | $36,000 | Penn State Dickinson Law |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 88.74% | 87.04% | Duquesne University |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 95.12% | 96.7% | Penn State Dickinson Law |
| Bar passage vs. state average | +8.6 pts | +7.4 pts | Duquesne University |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 90.1% | 87% | Duquesne University |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 9.9% | 8.5% | Duquesne University |
| Federal clerkships | 2% | 1.8% | Duquesne University |
15-year trajectory
Full profiles & related
Duquesne University full profile · Penn State Dickinson Law full profile · All Pennsylvania law schools
FAQ
Is Duquesne University or Penn State Dickinson Law harder to get into?
Penn State Dickinson Law is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 159 against Duquesne University's 157.
Which is cheaper, Duquesne University or Penn State Dickinson Law?
Duquesne University is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $58,898 versus Penn State Dickinson Law's $60,048.
Which has better bar passage, Duquesne University or Penn State Dickinson Law?
Duquesne University has the higher first-time bar passage, 88.74% against Penn State Dickinson Law's 87.04%.
Which has better job outcomes, Duquesne University or Penn State Dickinson Law?
Duquesne University places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (90.1% vs 87%).
Duquesne University vs Penn State Dickinson Law: 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), Duquesne University 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.