Why Duquesne University?
Duquesne University's Thomas R. Kline School of Law is a Spiritan Catholic institution deeply committed to ethical legal practice, social justice, and practical skills training, particularly through its nationally recognized Legal Research and Writing Program and extensive clinical offerings.
Duquesne University is a moderately selective JD program with an acceptance rate of approximately 56.3%. The median entering 1L profile is a 3.62 GPA and 155 LSAT, with the 25th–75th percentile bands at 3.35–3.85 GPA and 153–158 LSAT. The full-time first-year class is approximately 167 students. Recent graduates have placed most heavily in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Florida — useful context if your geographic preference shapes your school list. In the 2025 ABA reporting cycle, Duquesne University admitted 1 transfer student into the 2L class. 5 1Ls transferred out.
Specialty strengths
Class profile
- US News rank
- #85
- Median GPA
- 3.62
- 25th–75th: 3.35–3.85
- Median LSAT
- 155
- 25th–75th: 153–158
- Acceptance rate
- 56.3%
- Class size (FT 1L)
- 167
- Transfers admitted (2025)
- 1
- ABA 2025 reporting cycle
2025 transfer admit profile
Actual GPAs of students Duquesne University admitted as transfers in the 2025 ABA cycle.
- 25th percentile
- —
- Suppressed (small cohort)
- Median
- —
- 50th percentile
- 75th percentile
- —
- Suppressed (small cohort)
5 1Ls transferred out of Duquesne University in the same cycle — context for how portable Duquesne University's 1L credit is among admissions committees elsewhere.
Top employment markets
- 1Pennsylvania
- 2Virginia
- 3Florida
Where the most recent graduating class concentrated employment, per the school's ABA 509 employment summary. Use this as a signal of where the alumni network and OCI recruiting pipeline are strongest.
Signature clinics
Clinical programs that define Duquesne University's practical training. Mention specific clinic names in your "Why Duquesne University" essay where they align with your interests.
- Youth Advocacy ClinicStudents assist young clients and families with education law and juvenile defense matters, often working with interdisciplinary teams.
- Veterans ClinicStudents provide legal assistance to veterans on various issues.
- Family Law ClinicStudents offer legal aid to individuals and families with low incomes in family law matters.
- Re-Entry Legal Services ClinicStudents provide legal services to individuals transitioning back into the community.
- Community Enterprise ClinicStudents assist non-profit groups that support distressed communities.
- Federal Practice ClinicStudents represent inmates in federal prison and engage in pro bono civil rights work.
Notable journals
Student-edited publications you could write for or cite as a research interest.
- Duquesne Law Review— Publishes scholarly works by legal professionals and academics biannually.
- Joule: Duquesne Kline Energy & Environmental Law Journal— A hybrid forum for in-depth articles and blog-style commentaries on energy and environmental law.
- Juris Chronicle— A student-edited publication.
Faculty highlights
Well-known faculty grouped by primary specialty. If a professor's scholarship aligns with your interests, name them in your essay and reference a specific paper or course.
- April M. BartonDean and Professor of Law, focusing on legal education leadership and strategic direction.
- Wesley M. OliverCriminal Procedure, Legal History, Law and Technology, and Artificial Intelligence in Law.
- Ryan WilliamsTorts, Civil Procedure, Race & the Law, and National Security Law.
- Eugene MazoElection Law, Contracts, and Remedies.
- Maryann HermanProperty Law.
- Richard L. Heppner Jr.Supreme Court Cases, Legal Writing.
- Jacqueline LiptonIntellectual Property, Cyberlaw, Commercial Law.
- Wilson HuhnConstitutional Law, Jurisprudence.
- John RagoCriminal Law, Capital Punishment.
What makes Duquesne University distinctive
Programs, history, or institutional features that set this school apart beyond rank.
- ·As the nation's only Spiritan Catholic law school, it emphasizes moral, ethical, and spiritual values in legal education.
- ·Its nationally recognized Legal Research and Writing Program offers small class sizes and extensive faculty feedback.
- ·Located in downtown Pittsburgh, providing easy access to courts, government agencies, and law firms for experiential learning.
- ·Offers joint degree programs including J.D./MBA, J.D./MS in Environmental Science & Management, J.D./MA in Healthcare Ethics, J.D./MA in Philosophy, and J.D./Master of Divinity.
- ·The school was renamed the Thomas R. Kline School of Law following a historic $50 million donation, supporting scholarships, faculty, and new clinical offerings.
Using this for your "Why Duquesne University" essay
Strong "Why X Law School" essays are concrete and specific to the school — not interchangeable templates. Use these facts to anchor your essay, then layer on what you've found from the school's own faculty pages, clinical program descriptions, and journal listings.
Important note: admissions committees actively reject AI-written personal statements and "Why X" essays. Use this page as research material to write your own essay — never as a template to copy. Authentic, specific, personally-grounded reasoning is the only thing that wins these essays.
Frequently asked about Duquesne University
What is the median GPA and LSAT at Duquesne University?▾
Duquesne University's most recent entering 1L class had a median GPA of 3.62 and a median LSAT of 155. The 25th–75th percentile range was 3.35–3.85 GPA and 153–158 LSAT. Per ABA 509 disclosures.
What is Duquesne University's acceptance rate?▾
Duquesne University's most recent reported acceptance rate was approximately 56.3%, per ABA 509 disclosures.
What clinics does Duquesne University offer?▾
Duquesne University's notable clinical programs include: Youth Advocacy Clinic, Veterans Clinic, Family Law Clinic, Re-Entry Legal Services Clinic, Community Enterprise Clinic. Visit the school's official clinical programs page for the full list.
What journals does Duquesne University publish?▾
Duquesne University's notable student-edited journals include: Duquesne Law Review, Joule: Duquesne Kline Energy & Environmental Law Journal, Juris Chronicle.
Where do Duquesne University graduates work?▾
Duquesne University graduates concentrate employment in Pennsylvania, Virginia, Florida, per the school's most recent ABA 509 employment summary.
How many transfer students does Duquesne University admit?▾
Duquesne University admitted 1 transfer student into the 2L class in the 2025 ABA reporting cycle.
Schools similar to Duquesne University
Other schools at a comparable rank tier — useful for building a transfer list, balanced 0L application list, or essay-research shortlist.
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Try Case Cub free →Sources (6) — verify any fact above
- https://www.duq.edu/academics/schools/law/clinics-and-externships
- https://www.duq.edu/academics/schools/law/academics/concentrations
- https://www.duq.edu/academics/schools/law/faculty-and-staff/faculty-directory
- https://www.duq.edu/academics/schools/law/academics/publications-and-blogs
- https://www.duq.edu/academics/schools/law/about/history
- https://www.duq.edu/academics/schools/law/academics/degree-programs
Generated from public sources via search-grounded AI on 4/27/2026. If any fact looks wrong, click through to verify and let us know.