When investigating what the best law schools are the best in the United States, you’ll want to look at several factors, including the total cost, the percentage of accepted applicants, and how graduates fare on the bar exam. Here, we’ve listed each school considered to be one of the best law schools in America.
1. Yale University
Consistently ranked as one of the best law schools in the U.S.A., Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, deserves its accolades. Highly selective, it’s tough to gain acceptance; but for those that do, it’s worth it. Students benefit from a high percentage of graduates passing the bar on the first try and securing an impressive starting salary.
Quick Stats:
- Tuition
- $69,433
- Application Deadline
- February 15th
- Student to Faculty Ratio
- 4.7:1
- Median GPA Accepted
- 3.94
- Median LSAT Accepted
- 174
- Percentage Accepted
- 4.1%
- Bar First-Time Pass Percentage
- 98.1
2. Stanford University
Stanford University, located in Palo Alto, California, is another highly selective school. Often ranked in the top three law schools in the U.S., Stanford is known for both rigorous academics and its unique International Legal Studies program.
Quick Stats:
- Tuition
- $66,396
- Application Deadline
- February 15
- Student-Faculty Ratio
- 4.5:1
- Median GPA Accepted
- 3.91
- Median LSAT Accepted
- 172
- Percentage Accepted
- 6.3%
- Bar First-Time Pass Percentage
- 97.0%
3. University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois is home to the University of Chicago Law School. If you’re interested in Big Law or a federal clerkship, consider attending the University of Chicago asnearly 86% of its graduates land positions in one of the two. It’s also known for a highly ranked three-year JD/MBA program for those looking to work in the business world.
Quick Stats:
- Tuition
- $72,081
- Application Deadline
- March 1
- Student-Faculty Ratio
- 5.5:1
- Median GPA Accepted
- 3.91
- Median LSAT Accepted
- 172
- Percentage Accepted
- 11.9%
- Bar First-Time Pass Percentage
- 97.8%
4. Columbia University
Another one of the best law schools in the U.S., Columbia University in New York City also has a significant percentage of its graduates heading to Big Law or federal clerkships—81%. Many Columbia Law graduates have careers in politics, including presidents, senators, representatives, cabinet members, governors, and Supreme Court justices.
Quick Stats:
- Tuition
- $76,088
- Application Deadline
- February 15
- Student-Faculty Ratio
- 5.4:1
- Median GPA Accepted
- 3.84
- Median LSAT Accepted
- 174
- Percentage Accepted
- 11.4%
- Bar First-Time Pass Percentage
- 96.5%
5. Harvard University
Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Harvard University boasts the highest percentage of graduates passing the bar on the first attempt. Harvard is also the oldest continuously operating law school in the U.S. and one of the largest law schools as well, with nearly three times the enrollment of Yale, Stanford, or Chicago.
Quick Stats:
- Tuition
- $68,962
- Application Deadline
- March 1
- Student-Faculty Ratio
- 7.1:1
- Median GPA Accepted
- 3.92
- Median LSAT Accepted
- 174
- Percentage Accepted
- 6.9%
- Bar First-Time Pass Percentage
- 99.4%
6. University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania Law School in Philadelphia is one of the oldest law schools in the U.S. and ranks among the most selective. It is known for its focus on public service and was the first to have a pro bono requirement for students.
Quick Stats:
- Tuition
- $70,042
- Application Deadline
- March 1
- Student-Faculty Ratio
- 4.8:1
- Median GPA Accepted
- 3.9
- Median LSAT Accepted
- 171
- Percentage Accepted
- 9.4%
- Bar First-Time Pass Percentage
- 96.5%
7. New York University
NYU Law school is located in New York City, NY. It is the second most expensive school on our list, but it also has an impressive number of graduates passing the bar on the first try and offers a wide range of specializations and programs.
Quick Stats:
- Tuition
- $73,414
- Application Deadline
- February 15
- Student-Faculty Ratio
- 6.3:1
- Median GPA Accepted
- 3.86
- Median LSAT Accepted
- 172
- Percentage Accepted
- 14.5%
- Bar First-Time Pass Percentage
- 98.7%
8. University of Virginia
The University of Virginia Law School in Charlottesville is a top law school with a long history—it claims the title of the second oldest continuously operating law school. Founded by Thomas Jefferson, UVA Law is a public law school, unlike many top private schools on this list. Tuition costs at the University of Virginia are slightly lower and offer a great return on investment as a high percentage of its graduates head for “Big Law” or federal clerkships, launching impressive careers.
Quick Stats:
- Tuition
- $66,500
- Application Deadline
- March 3
- Student-Faculty Ratio
- 6.6:1
- Median GPA Accepted
- 3.91
- Median LSAT Accepted
- 171
- Percentage Accepted
- 9.7%
- Bar First-Time Pass Percentage
- 98.4%
9. University of California—Berkeley
The School of Law at University of California—Berkeley is unique in that it does not give letter grades or GPAs. Berkeley Law students have many options to explore with a relaxed and supportive environment, including the top-ranked intellectual property and environmental law programs.
Quick Stats:
- Tuition
- $68,264
- Application Deadline
- February 15
- Student-Faculty Ratio
- 6.5:1
- Median GPA Accepted
- 3.83
- Median LSAT Accepted
- 169
- Percentage Accepted
- 13.7%
- Bar First-Time Pass Percentage
- 96.8%
10. University of Michigan—Ann Arbor
With three Supreme Court Justices counted among its alumni, Michigan Law School, located in Ann Arbor, also has one of the oldest Masters of Law (LLM) programs. A top school for those interested in international law, the university sees more than 97% of students pass the bar on their first attempt. It also has a wide selection of course offerings, giving students more flexibility in their studies.
Quick Stats:
- Tuition
- $67,098
- Application Deadline
- February 28
- Student-Faculty Ratio
- 7.2:1
- Median GPA Accepted
- 3.84
- Median LSAT Accepted
- 171
- Percentage Accepted
- 10.6%
- Bar First-Time Pass Percentage
- 97.2%
11. Duke University
Duke University Law, located in beautiful Durham, North Carolina, is known for its international law program and was the first to offer a unique JD/MML in International and Comparative Law program.
Quick Stats:
- Tuition
- $69,870
- Application Deadline
- February 15
- Student-Faculty Ratio
- 5.5:1
- Median GPA Accepted
- 3.82
- Median LSAT Accepted
- 170
- Percentage Accepted
- 14.4%
- Bar First-Time Pass Percentage
- 97.2%
12. Cornell University
The city of Ithaca, New York is home to Cornell University Law School. With a total population of under 600 students, each year’s total class is less than 200, and course sizes average about 20 students. In fact, part of its appeal is the small enrollment each year and small, but rigorous, class sizes.
Quick Stats:
- Tuition
- $71,608
- Application Deadline
- March 1
- Student-Faculty Ratio
- 5:1
- Median GPA Accepted
- 3.86
- Median LSAT Accepted
- 171
- Percentage Accepted
- 15.6%
- Bar First-Time Pass Percentage
- 95.7%
13. Northwestern University
Northwestern Pritzker School of Law in Chicago, Illinois is especially known for the six scholarly journals it publishes. These important journals are all student-run, including the influential Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology. Consistently ranked as a T14 school, Northwestern is unique in that it strongly encourages students to interview on campus as part of the application process.
Quick Stats:
- Tuition
- $69,650
- Application Deadline
- February 15
- Student-Faculty Ratio
- 4.8:1
- Median GPA Accepted
- 3.86
- Median LSAT Accepted
- 171
- Percentage Accepted
- 13.9%
- Bar First-Time Pass Percentage
- 95.1%
14. Georgetown University
Georgetown University Law Center is located in Washington, D.C. and is the second largest law school in the U.S. Not only is the size impressive, but the school receives more applicants each year than other law schools. Georgetown is known for its clinical law program with 19 different clinics and is considered the best law school for part-time students.
Quick Stats:
- Tuition
- $69,280
- Application Deadline
- March 1
- Student-Faculty Ratio
- 4.8:1
- Median GPA Accepted
- 3.85
- Median LSAT Accepted
- 171
- Percentage Accepted
- 12.9%
- Bar First-Time Pass Percentage
- 94.7%
15. University of California—Los Angeles
With one of the earliest application deadlines on our list, if you want to attend the School of Law at the University of California in Los Angeles, you’ll have to be ready. UCLA Law is only about 60 years old as a program but is regarded as having the best curriculum for entertainment and media law.
Quick Stats:
- Tuition
- $52,468
- Application Deadline
- February 1
- Student-Faculty Ratio
- 6.1:1
- Median GPA Accepted
- 3.82
- Median LSAT Accepted
- 170
- Percentage Accepted
- 15.4%
- Bar First-Time Pass Percentage
- 97.2%
16. Washington University in St. Louis
Located in St. Louis, Missouri, the Washington University School of Law is selective, accepting students with some of the highest undergraduate GPAs. WashULaw was the first law school to be founded west of the Mississippi River and is highly regarded for its international and comparative law program.
Quick Stats:
- Tuition
- $63,364
- Application Deadline
- August 10
- Student-Faculty Ratio
- 4.5:1
- Median GPA Accepted
- 3.93
- Median LSAT Accepted
- 170
- Percentage Accepted
- 15.9%
- Bar First-Time Pass Percentage
- 94.2%
17. Boston University
Boston University School of Law in Boston, Massachusetts is a top-ranked school with outstanding specialty programs in tax law, health law, and intellectual property law. They also offer several dual degrees, and the professors themselves earn national recognition for their teaching.
Quick Stats:
- Tuition
- $60,718
- Application Deadline
- April 1
- Student-Faculty Ratio
- 6.3:1
- Median GPA Accepted
- 3.77
- Median LSAT Accepted
- 169
- Percentage Accepted
- 18.3%
- Bar First-Time Pass Percentage
- 94.5%
18. University of Texas—Austin
Also known as Texas Law, the University of Texas Law School in Austin provides the best starting salary-to-debt ratio of any other U.S. law school. Texas Law is also recognized for producing top-ranked environmental attorneys.
Quick Stats:
- Tuition
- $54,096
- Application Deadline
- March 1
- Student-Faculty Ratio
- 5.8:1
- Median GPA Accepted
- 3.8
- Median LSAT Accepted
- 169
- Percentage Accepted
- 15.2%
- Bar First-Time Pass Percentage
- 95.1%
19. Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University Law School in Nashville, Tennessee is one of the oldest law schools in the South and was the first law school to have a Ph.D. program in Law and Economics. It is a small law school with just over 550 students, admitting less than 200 per year.
Quick Stats:
- Tuition
- $64,284
- Application Deadline
- April 1
- Student-Faculty Ratio
- 7.6:1
- Median GPA Accepted
- 3.89
- Median LSAT Accepted
- 169
- Percentage Accepted
- 14.3%
- Bar First-Time Pass Percentage
- 95.2%
20. University of Southern California
The University of Southern California Gould School of Law is located in Los Angeles. A private school, it is the oldest in the Southwest and established the first modern legal aid program.
Quick Stats:
- Tuition
- $70,998
- Application Deadline
- April 1
- Student-Faculty Ratio
- 7.3:1
- Median GPA Accepted
- 3.82
- Median LSAT Accepted
- 168
- Percentage Accepted
- 13%
- Bar First-Time Pass Percentage
- 95%
There is no doubt that graduating from a top law school in the U.S. can launch your career. Any of the top 20 law schools will provide you with an excellent education and set you up for a successful legal career.
What’s more, if you’re unsure of your path to acceptance, you don’t have to leave it to chance. Seek a professional counselor to guide you in creating your unique, personal application to tell your story to admissions officers. You’ve already come so far; you deserve to put your best foot forward in this next stage!
Madeleine Karydes