With competitive standards and high stakes, finding the best law school can be challenging. Our 2025 list of the top 120 law schools in the U.S. breaks down the essentials for each program—tuition costs, acceptance rates, and bar passage success—to help you navigate your options and make an informed choice for a successful legal career.
1. Yale University
| Tuition | Application Deadline | Student-Faculty Ratio | Median GPA | Median LSAT | Acceptance Rate | Bar Pass Rate |
| $69,433 | February 15 | 4.7:1 | 3.94 | 174 | 4.1% | 98.1% |
Consistently ranked as one of the best law schools in the U.S., 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.
Video: Yale Law School at 200: A Pioneering Force in Legal Education
2. Stanford University
| Tuition | Application Deadline | Student-Faculty Ratio | Median GPA | Median LSAT | Acceptance Rate | Bar Pass Rate |
| $66,396 | February 15 | 4.5:1 | 3.91 | 172 | 6.3% | 97.0% |
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.
Video: The Stanford Law School Experience
3. University of Chicago
| Tuition | Application Deadline | Student-Faculty Ratio | Median GPA | Median LSAT | Acceptance Rate | Bar Pass Rate |
| $72,081 | March 1 | 5.5:1 | 3.91 | 172 | 11.9% | 97.8% |
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, as nearly 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.
Video: Welcome to the University of Chicago
4. Columbia University
| Tuition | Application Deadline | Student-Faculty Ratio | Median GPA | Median LSAT | Acceptance Rate | Bar Pass Rate |
| $76,088 | February 15 | 5.4:1 | 3.84 | 174 | 11.4% | 96.5% |
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.
5. Harvard University
| Tuition | Application Deadline | Student-Faculty Ratio | Median GPA | Median LSAT | Acceptance Rate | Bar Pass Rate |
| $68,962 | March 1 | 7.1:1 | 3.92 | 174 | 6.9% | 99.4% |
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.
6. University of Pennsylvania
| Tuition | Application Deadline | Student-Faculty Ratio | Median GPA | Median LSAT | Acceptance Rate | Bar Pass Rate |
| $70,042 | March 1 | 4.8:1 | 3.90 | 171 | 9.4% | 96.5% |
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.
7. New York University
| Tuition | Application Deadline | Student-Faculty Ratio | Median GPA | Median LSAT | Acceptance Rate | Bar Pass Rate |
| $73,414 | February 15 | 6.3:1 | 3.86 | 172 | 14.5% | 98.7% |
NYU Law School is located in New York City. 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.
8. University of Virginia
| Tuition | Application Deadline | Student-Faculty Ratio | Median GPA | Median LSAT | Acceptance Rate | Bar Pass Rate |
| $66,500 | March 3 | 6.6:1 | 3.91 | 171 | 9.7% | 98.4% |
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, offering a great return on investment as a high percentage of its graduates head for “Big Law” or federal clerkships.
9. University of California—Berkeley
| Tuition | Application Deadline | Student-Faculty Ratio | Median GPA | Median LSAT | Acceptance Rate | Bar Pass Rate |
| $68,264 | February 15 | 6.5:1 | 3.83 | 169 | 13.7% | 96.8% |
The School of Law at UC 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 top-ranked intellectual property and environmental law programs.
H2: 10. University of Michigan—Ann Arbor
| Tuition | Application Deadline | Student-Faculty Ratio | Median GPA | Median LSAT | Acceptance Rate | Bar Pass Rate |
| $67,098 | February 28 | 7.2:1 | 3.84 | 171 | 10.6% | 97.2% |
Michigan Law School, located in Ann Arbor, has three Supreme Court Justices counted among its alumni. A top school for international law, Michigan Law sees more than 97% of students pass the bar on their first attempt and offers a broad selection of courses.
11. Duke University
| Tuition | Application Deadline | Student-Faculty Ratio | Median GPA | Median LSAT | Acceptance Rate | Bar Pass Rate |
| $69,870 | February 15 | 5.5:1 | 3.82 | 170 | 14.4% | 97.2% |
Duke University Law, located in 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.
12. Cornell University
| Tuition | Application Deadline | Student-Faculty Ratio | Median GPA | Median LSAT | Acceptance Rate | Bar Pass Rate |
| $71,608 | March 1 | 5:1 | 3.86 | 171 | 15.6% | 95.7% |
Cornell University Law School in Ithaca, New York, has a small enrollment each year with under 600 students in total. Its intimate class sizes and rigorous curriculum are part of the school’s appeal.
H2: 13. Northwestern University
| Tuition | Application Deadline | Student-Faculty Ratio | Median GPA | Median LSAT | Acceptance Rate | Bar Pass Rate |
| $69,650 | February 15 | 4.8:1 | 3.86 | 171 | 13.9% | 95.1% |
Northwestern Pritzker School of Law in Chicago is especially known for its scholarly journals, including the influential Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology. It strongly encourages on-campus interviews as part of the application process.
14. Georgetown University
| Tuition | Application Deadline | Student-Faculty Ratio | Median GPA | Median LSAT | Acceptance Rate | Bar Pass Rate |
| $69,280 | March 1 | 4.8:1 | 3.85 | 171 | 12.9% | 94.7% |
Located in Washington, D.C., Georgetown University Law Center is the second largest law school in the U.S. Known for its clinical law program with 19 clinics, it is also a top choice for part-time students.
15. University of California—Los Angeles
| Tuition | Application Deadline | Student-Faculty Ratio | Median GPA | Median LSAT | Acceptance Rate | Bar Pass Rate |
| $52,468 | February 1 | 6.1:1 | 3.82 | 170 | 15.4% | 97.2% |
The UCLA School of Law is known for its curriculum focused on entertainment and media law. Despite being a younger program, it’s highly regarded, with an early application deadline for prospective students.
16. Washington University in St. Louis
| Tuition | Application Deadline | Student-Faculty Ratio | Median GPA | Median LSAT | Acceptance Rate | Bar Pass Rate |
| $63,364 | August 10 | 4.5:1 | 3.93 | 170 | 15.9% | 94.2% |
Washington University School of Law, the first law school founded west of the Mississippi River, is highly regarded for its international and comparative law program.
17. Boston University
| Tuition | Application Deadline | Student-Faculty Ratio | Median GPA | Median LSAT | Acceptance Rate | Bar Pass Rate |
| $60,718 | April 1 | 6.3:1 | 3.77 | 169 | 18.3% | 94.5% |
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 their professors are nationally recognized for their teaching.
18. University of Texas—Austin
| Tuition | Application Deadline | Student-Faculty Ratio | Median GPA | Median LSAT | Acceptance Rate | Bar Pass Rate |
| $54,096 | March 1 | 5.8:1 | 3.80 | 169 | 15.2% | 95.1% |
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.
19. Vanderbilt University
| Tuition | Application Deadline | Student-Faculty Ratio | Median GPA | Median LSAT | Acceptance Rate | Bar Pass Rate |
| $64,284 | April 1 | 7.6:1 | 3.89 | 169 | 14.3% | 95.2% |
Vanderbilt University Law School in Nashville, Tennessee, is one of the oldest law schools in the South and was the first law school to offer a Ph.D. program in Law and Economics. It’s a small law school with just over 550 students, admitting less than 200 per year.
20. University of Southern California
| Tuition | Application Deadline | Student-Faculty Ratio | Median GPA | Median LSAT | Acceptance Rate | Bar Pass Rate |
| $70,998 | April 1 | 7.3:1 | 3.82 | 168 | 13.0% | 95.0% |
The University of Southern California Gould School of Law, located in Los Angeles, is the oldest private law school in the Southwest. It also established the first modern legal aid program, solidifying its commitment to public service and practical legal training.
Other U.S. Law Schools to Consider
| School Name | Tuition | Application Deadline | Student-Faculty Ratio | Median GPA | Median LSAT | Acceptance Rate | Bar Pass Rate |
| University of Notre Dame | $64,340 | March 15 | 7.6:1 | 3.75 | 168 | 20.3% | 94.0% |
| Emory University | $64,274 | March 1 | 8.0:1 | 3.80 | 169 | 29.6% | 92.5% |
| University of Minnesota | $53,607 | July 15 | 6.4:1 | 3.79 | 166 | 34.6% | 94.2% |
| Boston College | $61,128 | March 31 | 6.8:1 | 3.74 | 165 | 28.6% | 93.0% |
| University of Iowa | $47,252 | May 1 | 7.0:1 | 3.68 | 164 | 39.2% | 91.5% |
| Indiana University—Bloomington (Maurer) | $56,872 | July 15 | 6.5:1 | 3.76 | 162 | 38.1% | 90.0% |
| University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill | $44,372 | May 1 | 7.2:1 | 3.70 | 163 | 31.4% | 92.0% |
| Washington and Lee University | $54,830 | March 1 | 7.5:1 | 3.67 | 164 | 33.3% | 91.0% |
| Arizona State University (O'Connor) | $47,302 | March 1 | 7.8:1 | 3.71 | 165 | 26.2% | 92.8% |
| University of Wisconsin—Madison | $48,978 | April 1 | 6.9:1 | 3.69 | 164 | 42.0% | 89.5% |
| University of Georgia | $38,146 | June 1 | 7.1:1 | 3.73 | 163 | 33.0% | 91.7% |
| Ohio State University (Moritz) | $47,850 | March 31 | 7.0:1 | 3.70 | 164 | 36.5% | 90.5% |
| University of Washington | $52,740 | March 15 | 6.7:1 | 3.75 | 165 | 28.0% | 93.2% |
| University of Utah (Quinney) | $40,800 | March 10 | 8.2:1 | 3.68 | 162 | 45.0% | 88.0% |
| University of Colorado—Boulder | $38,178 | April 1 | 7.4:1 | 3.71 | 163 | 33.5% | 89.8% |
| University of Alabama | $40,338 | May 1 | 6.6:1 | 3.72 | 164 | 31.0% | 92.5% |
| University of Arizona (Rogers) | $30,326 | March 15 | 7.3:1 | 3.68 | 162 | 38.0% | 90.0% |
| University of Florida (Levin) | $38,039 | July 15 | 7.0:1 | 3.75 | 165 | 27.0% | 93.5% |
| University of Illinois—Urbana-Champaign | $48,248 | March 15 | 6.8:1 | 3.74 | 164 | 30.0% | 91.0% |
| University of California—Davis | $56,460 | March 15 | 6.9:1 | 3.72 | 163 | 35.0% | 90.8% |
| University of California—Irvine | $53,844 | March 15 | 6.5:1 | 3.76 | 164 | 29.0% | 92.0% |
| University of Houston | $47,748 | March 15 | 7.2:1 | 3.68 | 162 | 40.0% | 89.0% |
| University of Maryland (Carey) | $47,364 | April 1 | 7.1:1 | 3.70 | 163 | 35.5% | 90.5% |
| Florida State University | $40,705 | July 15 | 7.3:1 | 3.69 | 162 | 42.5% | 88.5% |
| University of Connecticut | $62,338 | April 30 | 6.8:1 | 3.71 | 163 | 34.0% | 91.0% |
| University of Denver (Sturm) | $54,940 | May 1 | 8.0:1 | 3.66 | 161 | 48.0% | 87.0% |
| University of Kentucky | $50,892 | April 30 | 7.5:1 | 3.68 | 162 | 43.0% | 89.0% |
| University of Miami | $54,134 | May 1 | 8.3:1 | 3.67 | 161 | 44.0% | 87.5% |
| Baylor University | $62,432 | February 15 | 7.0:1 | 3.60 | 160 | 47.0% | 88.0% |
| Tulane University | $63,362 | April 15 | 8.1:1 | 3.62 | 160 | 49.0% | 88.2% |
| University of Missouri | $42,384 | March 1 | 7.8:1 | 3.58 | 159 | 46.5% | 87.0% |
| University of Kansas | $42,694 | April 1 | 7.7:1 | 3.63 | 159 | 45.5% | 87.8% |
| St. John’s University | $63,350 | April 1 | 8.0:1 | 3.61 | 159 | 48.0% | 87.0% |
| University of Oklahoma | $31,890 | June 1 | 7.9:1 | 3.60 | 159 | 50.0% | 86.0% |
| Loyola Marymount University | $63,094 | February 1 | 8.5:1 | 3.60 | 158 | 53.5% | 86.5% |
| Seton Hall University | $61,944 | April 1 | 7.6:1 | 3.59 | 158 | 51.0% | 87.3% |
| Michigan State University | $49,628 | April 30 | 7.9:1 | 3.58 | 157 | 54.0% | 85.5% |
| University of Tennessee | $40,784 | July 1 | 7.3:1 | 3.63 | 158 | 46.0% | 88.0% |
| Temple University | $46,646 | March 1 | 6.9:1 | 3.65 | 159 | 43.0% | 89.1% |
| Rutgers University | $47,980 | March 15 | 8.4:1 | 3.57 | 157 | 55.0% | 85.0% |
| Louisiana State University | $39,108 | June 15 | 8.3:1 | 3.56 | 156 | 52.5% | 84.5% |
| Indiana University—Indianapolis | $49,932 | July 1 | 8.2:1 | 3.54 | 157 | 53.0% | 85.0% |
| University of Arkansas—Fayetteville | $17,800 | April 1 | 8.0:1 | 3.53 | 155 | 56.5% | 83.0% |
| Case Western Reserve University | $56,946 | April 1 | 7.7:1 | 3.55 | 157 | 48.0% | 86.5% |
| Syracuse University | $55,020 | April 1 | 8.1:1 | 3.58 | 156 | 52.0% | 85.8% |
| American University | $62,499 | March 1 | 8.2:1 | 3.59 | 157 | 47.5% | 87.0% |
| University of Tulsa | $39,374 | July 1 | 8.4:1 | 3.57 | 156 | 55.0% | 83.5% |
| University of Louisville | $41,302 | July 1 | 7.9:1 | 3.55 | 155 | 58.5% | 84.0% |
| Pepperdine University | $64,880 | April 15 | 7.6:1 | 3.61 | 159 | 50.0% | 86.8% |
| Villanova University | $60,662 | April 1 | 7.4:1 | 3.63 | 159 | 45.0% | 88.0% |
| Drexel University | $51,216 | April 1 | 8.0:1 | 3.57 | 157 | 54.5% | 85.5% |
| Santa Clara University | $56,474 | April 15 | 8.5:1 | 3.56 | 156 | 51.0% | 84.7% |
| University of Nevada—Las Vegas (Boyd) | $41,774 | March 15 | 8.1:1 | 3.54 | 156 | 50.5% | 85.0% |
| University of San Diego | $61,088 | April 1 | 8.3:1 | 3.55 | 157 | 48.0% | 85.8% |
| Howard University | $41,208 | March 15 | 7.7:1 | 3.56 | 155 | 52.0% | 84.0% |
| Marquette University | $52,120 | July 1 | 8.0:1 | 3.55 | 155 | 49.5% | 83.5% |
| Seattle University | $52,756 | April 1 | 7.8:1 | 3.52 | 155 | 53.0% | 84.8% |
| University of San Francisco | $53,480 | April 1 | 8.4:1 | 3.50 | 154 | 55.5% | 83.0% |
| Albany Law School | $52,404 | April 1 | 7.9:1 | 3.53 | 154 | 56.0% | 83.5% |
| New York Law School | $54,312 | July 1 | 8.5:1 | 3.52 | 153 | 58.5% | 82.0% |
| CUNY School of Law | $22,805 | May 15 | 9.0:1 | 3.50 | 153 | 60.0% | 80.5% |
| Pace University (Haub) | $50,634 | April 1 | 8.2:1 | 3.53 | 154 | 57.0% | 82.8% |
| Stetson University | $44,274 | July 1 | 8.4:1 | 3.52 | 153 | 59.0% | 81.5% |
| University of the Pacific (McGeorge) | $54,132 | July 1 | 8.1:1 | 3.50 | 153 | 57.5% | 82.0% |
| Southern Methodist University | $56,124 | March 15 | 7.7:1 | 3.54 | 156 | 46.0% | 85.5% |
| University of Idaho | $22,750 | April 15 | 8.5:1 | 3.47 | 152 | 62.0% | 79.5% |
| Cleveland State University | $45,150 | July 15 | 8.3:1 | 3.48 | 151 | 60.0% | 80.0% |
| University of Maine | $23,694 | April 15 | 8.0:1 | 3.45 | 151 | 63.5% | 78.5% |
| Belmont University | $52,500 | April 1 | 8.1:1 | 3.51 | 155 | 55.0% | 84.0% |
| South Texas College of Law Houston | $35,454 | July 15 | 8.2:1 | 3.50 | 153 | 61.5% | 80.5% |
| University of Baltimore | $47,584 | July 1 | 8.5:1 | 3.49 | 152 | 58.0% | 82.3% |
| Faulkner University | $41,000 | April 15 | 8.4:1 | 3.48 | 152 | 63.0% | 78.0% |
| Mitchell Hamline School of Law | $43,756 | July 1 | 8.5:1 | 3.47 | 151 | 60.5% | 79.0% |
| Mercer University | $40,500 | June 1 | 7.8:1 | 3.46 | 151 | 64.0% | 78.5% |
| Samford University (Cumberland) | $41,800 | May 1 | 8.3:1 | 3.44 | 150 | 65.5% | 77.5% |
| Western State College of Law | $42,800 | July 1 | 9.0:1 | 3.42 | 149 | 68.0% | 76.0% |
| Oklahoma City University | $38,980 | May 1 | 8.8:1 | 3.41 | 149 | 67.5% | 76.8% |
| Texas Southern University | $29,490 | May 1 | 9.2:1 | 3.38 | 148 | 70.0% | 75.0% |
| Widener University | $46,320 | July 15 | 8.9:1 | 3.39 | 148 | 68.5% | 74.5% |
| Ave Maria School of Law | $43,176 | April 1 | 9.1:1 | 3.36 | 147 | 72.0% | 73.5% |
| Charleston School of Law | $44,890 | July 1 | 8.8:1 | 3.37 | 148 | 71.5% | 74.0% |
| Liberty University | $40,536 | May 1 | 8.4:1 | 3.35 | 147 | 69.0% | 75.5% |
| Southern University | $28,000 | May 1 | 9.5:1 | 3.33 | 146 | 73.0% | 72.0% |
| Florida A&M University | $29,732 | June 1 | 9.3:1 | 3.32 | 146 | 74.0% | 71.5% |
| Barry University | $44,212 | July 15 | 9.2:1 | 3.34 | 146 | 72.5% | 73.0% |
| Appalachian School of Law | $36,050 | July 1 | 9.6:1 | 3.30 | 145 | 75.0% | 70.0% |
| Thomas Jefferson School of Law | $50,000 | July 1 | 8.9:1 | 3.31 | 145 | 74.0% | 71.0% |
| Mississippi College | $38,400 | April 1 | 8.7:1 | 3.33 | 146 | 70.5% | 73.5% |
| New England Law | Boston | $50,440 | July 15 | 8.6:1 | 3.34 | 147 | 69.5% |
| Western Michigan University (Cooley) | $50,200 | July 1 | 9.8:1 | 3.31 | 144 | 76.0% | 70.5% |
| Touro College (Fuchsberg) | $52,170 | June 15 | 8.5:1 | 3.29 | 145 | 73.0% | 72.5% |
| Northern Illinois University | $37,000 | May 1 | 9.0:1 | 3.27 | 144 | 75.0% | 71.0% |
| University of North Dakota | $20,200 | July 1 | 9.4:1 | 3.26 | 144 | 78.0% | 69.5% |
| Roger Williams University | $42,320 | July 15 | 8.4:1 | 3.28 | 145 | 74.5% | 71.8% |
| Concordia University School of Law | $37,800 | June 1 | 9.2:1 | 3.30 | 144 | 76.5% | 70.5% |
| University of South Dakota | $18,200 | May 1 | 9.6:1 | 3.27 | 143 | 77.0% | 68.0% |
| Lincoln Memorial University | $39,200 | April 1 | 8.8:1 | 3.25 | 143 | 76.0% | 69.5% |
| University of the District of Columbia (Clarke) | $25,344 | May 1 | 9.7:1 | 3.24 | 142 | 79.0% | 67.5% |
| University of Wyoming | $16,775 | July 1 | 9.4:1 | 3.23 | 142 | 80.0% | 67.0% |
| Willamette University | $48,600 | April 1 | 8.7:1 | 3.26 | 144 | 73.5% | 71.2% |
| Elon University | $43,144 | May 1 | 9.0:1 | 3.25 | 144 | 74.0% | 70.8% |
| University of La Verne | $43,512 | July 15 | 9.3:1 | 3.24 | 143 | 77.0% | 69.0% |
Final thoughts
There is no doubt that graduating from a top law school in the U.S. can launch your career. Any of the top 120 law schools will provide you with an excellent education and set you up for a successful legal career.
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Additional Resources
- If you’re considering a top law school, you may also want to explore The Best Art Schools in the US to broaden your creative learning options alongside legal studies.
- Applicants might benefit from College Application Help: 15 Tips to Help You Succeed to improve their chances of acceptance into these prestigious law schools.
- For personalized guidance, see 10 Tips for Finding an Independent College Counselor to support your law school application process and make it stand out.
