Penn State Dickinson Law vs. Temple University: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
Both are Pennsylvania law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Temple University is the more selective admit (median LSAT 165 vs 159); Temple University posts the higher first-time bar passage (90.28% vs 87.04%); Temple University is cheaper on sticker tuition ($32,588 vs $60,048); Temple University places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (95.4% vs 87%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Penn State Dickinson Law | Temple University | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 159 | 165 | Temple University |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.71 | 3.76 | Temple University |
| Acceptance rate | 43% | 24.4% | Temple University |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $60,048 | $32,588 | Temple University |
| Non-resident tuition | $60,048 | $48,996 | Temple University |
| Median grant | $36,000 | $31,334 | Penn State Dickinson Law |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 87.04% | 90.28% | Temple University |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 96.7% | 94.83% | Penn State Dickinson Law |
| Bar passage vs. state average | +7.4 pts | +10.6 pts | Temple University |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 87% | 95.4% | Temple University |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 8.5% | 20% | Temple University |
| Federal clerkships | 1.8% | 2.6% | Temple University |
15-year trajectory
Full profiles & related
Penn State Dickinson Law full profile · Temple University full profile · All Pennsylvania law schools
FAQ
Is Penn State Dickinson Law or Temple University harder to get into?
Temple University is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 165 against Penn State Dickinson Law's 159.
Which is cheaper, Penn State Dickinson Law or Temple University?
Temple University is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $32,588 versus Penn State Dickinson Law's $60,048.
Which has better bar passage, Penn State Dickinson Law or Temple University?
Temple University has the higher first-time bar passage, 90.28% against Penn State Dickinson Law's 87.04%.
Which has better job outcomes, Penn State Dickinson Law or Temple University?
Temple University places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (95.4% vs 87%).
Penn State Dickinson Law vs Temple University: 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), Temple 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.