Pennsylvania vs. Pittsburgh: 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 86.3%); Pittsburgh is cheaper on sticker tuition ($39,936 vs $78,348); Pennsylvania places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (99.6% vs 89.3%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 173 | 160 | Pennsylvania |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.95 | 3.54 | Pennsylvania |
| Acceptance rate | 8.1% | 34.9% | Pennsylvania |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $78,348 | $39,936 | Pittsburgh |
| Non-resident tuition | $78,348 | $53,434 | Pittsburgh |
| Median grant | $42,246 | $30,000 | Pennsylvania |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 96.7% | 86.3% | Pennsylvania |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 97.7% | 91.8% | Pennsylvania |
| Bar passage vs. state average | +13.8 pts | +6.1 pts | Pennsylvania |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 99.6% | 89.3% | Pennsylvania |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 70.7% | 20.5% | Pennsylvania |
| Federal clerkships | 7.9% | 3.3% | Pennsylvania |
trajectory since 2011
Full profiles & related
Pennsylvania full profile · Pittsburgh full profile · Pin both on the interactive map → · All Pennsylvania law schools
FAQ
Is Pennsylvania or Pittsburgh harder to get into?
Pennsylvania is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 173 against Pittsburgh's 160.
Which is cheaper, Pennsylvania or Pittsburgh?
Pittsburgh is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $39,936 versus Pennsylvania's $78,348.
Which has better bar passage, Pennsylvania or Pittsburgh?
Pennsylvania has the higher first-time bar passage, 96.7% against Pittsburgh's 86.3%.
Which has better job outcomes, Pennsylvania or Pittsburgh?
Pennsylvania places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (99.6% vs 89.3%).
Pennsylvania 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), 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.