Penn State Dickinson Law vs. Villanova University: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
Both are Pennsylvania law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Villanova University is the more selective admit (median LSAT 164 vs 159); Villanova University posts the higher first-time bar passage (91.3% vs 87.0%); Villanova University is cheaper on sticker tuition ($59,800 vs $60,048); Villanova University places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (96.2% vs 87.0%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Penn State Dickinson Law | Villanova University | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 159 | 164 | Villanova University |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.71 | 3.80 | Villanova University |
| Acceptance rate | 43.0% | 25.9% | Villanova University |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $60,048 | $59,800 | Villanova University |
| Non-resident tuition | $60,048 | $59,800 | Villanova University |
| Median grant | $36,000 | $40,000 | Villanova University |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 87.0% | 91.3% | Villanova University |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 96.7% | 91.3% | Penn State Dickinson Law |
| Bar passage vs. state average | +7.4 pts | +11.1 pts | Villanova University |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 87.0% | 96.2% | Villanova University |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 8.5% | 23.4% | Villanova University |
| Federal clerkships | 1.8% | 1.6% | Penn State Dickinson Law |
trajectory since 2011
Full profiles & related
Penn State Dickinson Law full profile · Villanova University full profile · Pin both on the interactive map → · All Pennsylvania law schools
FAQ
Is Penn State Dickinson Law or Villanova University harder to get into?
Villanova University is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 164 against Penn State Dickinson Law's 159.
Which is cheaper, Penn State Dickinson Law or Villanova University?
Villanova University is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $59,800 versus Penn State Dickinson Law's $60,048.
Which has better bar passage, Penn State Dickinson Law or Villanova University?
Villanova University has the higher first-time bar passage, 91.3% against Penn State Dickinson Law's 87.0%.
Which has better job outcomes, Penn State Dickinson Law or Villanova University?
Villanova University places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (96.2% vs 87.0%).
Penn State Dickinson Law vs Villanova 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), Villanova 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.