Law schools are specialized training institutions designed to educate students in the field of law. Graduating from a law school provides the necessary qualifications to practice law, though all graduates must pass their state’s bar examination. Law schools offer various degrees such as the Juris Doctor (JD), Master of Laws (LLM), and Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD). They focus on teaching legal theory, practices, and specialized courses based on students’ interests and career goals.
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Top 20 Law Schools in the United States
These top 20 law schools in the United States not only provide exceptional legal education but also foster the development of skills and knowledge necessary to excel in various areas of the legal profession. From international law and public policy to corporate law and intellectual property, these institutions offer diverse pathways for students to influence both their local and global communities.
Graduates from these schools often go on to serve as leaders in the legal field, whether in public office, the private sector, or nonprofit organizations, driving forward the ideals of justice, equity, and professionalism. Each school’s unique strengths and offerings ensure that students can find a program that fits their interests and career goals, preparing them for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in their professional lives.
1. Yale Law School
Overview
Yale Law School consistently ranks as the top law school in the United States. It is famous for its rigorous admissions process, small class sizes, and a strong emphasis on legal scholarship. Yale offers a unique grading system that encourages collaboration over competition.
Key Information
- City Location: New Haven, Connecticut
- Year Founded: 1824
- Total Enrollment: About 650
- Average LSAT Scores: 173
- Faculty-Student Ratio: 4:1
- Famous Alumni: Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton
2. Harvard Law School
Overview
Harvard Law School is known for its large, diverse student body, extensive library resources, and influential alumni. It has contributed to numerous areas of legal reform and houses multiple legal research centers that help shape public policy.
Key Information
- City Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Year Founded: 1817
- Total Enrollment: About 1,990
- Average LSAT Scores: 173
- Faculty-Student Ratio: 12:1
- Famous Alumni: Barack Obama, Michelle Obama
3. Stanford Law School
Overview
Stanford Law offers a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary approach to legal studies, often integrating other disciplines such as technology, business, and environmental science into its curriculum.
Key Information
- City Location: Stanford, California
- Year Founded: 1893
- Total Enrollment: Approximately 580
- Average LSAT Scores: 171
- Faculty-Student Ratio: 7:1
- Famous Alumni: Sandra Day O’Connor, William Rehnquist
4. Columbia Law School
Overview
Columbia Law is renowned for its strength in corporate law and its close ties to the New York legal community. It offers numerous clinics and externships that provide students with real-world legal experience.
Key Information
- City Location: New York, New York
- Year Founded: 1858
- Total Enrollment: Around 1,300
- Average LSAT Scores: 172
- Faculty-Student Ratio: 6:1
- Famous Alumni: Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Theodore Roosevelt
5. University of Chicago Law School
Overview
The University of Chicago Law School is known for its emphasis on the economic analysis of law. It has produced influential theories in the realms of business, economics, and social issues through its rigorous and intellectually challenging curriculum.
Key Information
- City Location: Chicago, Illinois
- Year Founded: 1902
- Total Enrollment: About 600
- Average LSAT Scores: 171
- Faculty-Student Ratio: 5:1
- Famous Alumni: Antonin Scalia, Barack Obama (lecturer)
6. New York University School of Law (NYU Law)
Overview
NYU Law excels in international law, tax law, and public interest law. It provides extensive global opportunities, including numerous study abroad locations and global law programs.
Key Information
- City Location: New York, New York
- Year Founded: 1835
- Total Enrollment: Approximately 1,400
- Average LSAT Scores: 170
- Faculty-Student Ratio: 6:1
- Famous Alumni: Rudy Giuliani, Alan Dershowitz
7. University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School
Overview
Penn Law offers a strong interdisciplinary education, encouraging students to take courses in other departments of the University of Pennsylvania, such as business and medicine, to better prepare for their diverse legal careers.
Key Information
- City Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Year Founded: 1850
- Total Enrollment: About 800
- Average LSAT Scores: 171
- Faculty-Student Ratio: 4:1
- Famous Alumni: Elizabeth Warren, John Heinz
8. University of Virginia School of Law
Overview
UVA Law blends the rigorous study of legal principles with a focus on involvement in practical skills and professional ethics, creating a well-rounded environment for future legal practitioners.
Key Information
- City Location: Charlottesville, Virginia
- Year Founded: 1819
- Total Enrollment: Nearly 1,100
- Average LSAT Scores: 170
- Faculty-Student Ratio: 6:1
- Famous Alumni: Robert F. Kennedy, Ted Kennedy
9. University of California, Berkeley, School of Law (Berkeley Law)
Overview
Berkeley Law is distinguished by its commitment to social justice and environmental law. It supports a dynamic curriculum that emphasizes public service, technology, and intellectual property law.
Key Information
- City Location: Berkeley, California
- Year Founded: 1894
- Total Enrollment: About 950
- Average LSAT Scores: 168
- Faculty-Student Ratio: 6:1
- Famous Alumni: Earl Warren, John Yoo
10. Duke University School of Law
Overview
Duke Law School is known for its strong emphasis on international law and its integration of other disciplines, such as business and environmental studies, into the law curriculum.
Key Information
- City Location: Durham, North Carolina
- Year Founded: 1868
- Total Enrollment: Around 740
- Average LSAT Scores: 169
- Faculty-Student Ratio: 6:1
- Famous Alumni: Richard Nixon, Melinda Gates
11. Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law
Overview
Northwestern Law differentiates itself with a strong focus on experiential learning and offers one of the best clinical training programs in the country. It’s particularly noted for its emphasis on business law and legal technology.
Key Information
- City Location: Chicago, Illinois
- Year Founded: 1859
- Total Enrollment: About 740
- Average LSAT Scores: 168
- Faculty-Student Ratio: 4:1
- Famous Alumni: Jerry Springer, Arthur Goldberg
12. Cornell Law School
Overview
Cornell Law School is recognized for its rigorous legal education and its small size, which fosters a close-knit community and strong student-faculty interactions. It excels in business law and dispute resolution.
Key Information
- City Location: Ithaca, New York
- Year Founded: 1887
- Total Enrollment: Approximately 600
- Average LSAT Scores: 168
- Faculty-Student Ratio: 6:1
- Famous Alumni: Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Edmund Muskie
13. Georgetown University Law Center
Overview
Georgetown Law is one of the largest law schools in the U.S. and stands out for its extensive offerings in constitutional law, international law, and tax law. It’s strategically located in Washington D.C., providing ample opportunities for government and non-profit work.
Key Information
- City Location: Washington, D.C.
- Year Founded: 1870
- Total Enrollment: About 2,000
- Average LSAT Scores: 167
- Faculty-Student Ratio: 5:1
- Famous Alumni: Bill Clinton, Antonin Scalia
14. University of Southern California (USC) Gould School of Law
Overview
USC Law focuses on media and entertainment law, taking advantage of its Los Angeles setting. It also offers strong programs in business law and intellectual property.
Key Information
- City Location: Los Angeles, California
- Year Founded: 1900
- Total Enrollment: Around 600
- Average LSAT Scores: 166
- Faculty-Student Ratio: 12:1
- Famous Alumni: Marcia Clark, J. Howard Marshall
15. University of Michigan Law School
Overview
University of Michigan Law School is esteemed for its strong curriculum in public law, international law, and environmental law. It offers a diverse educational environment with a wide range of interdisciplinary programs.
Key Information
- City Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Year Founded: 1859
- Total Enrollment: About 1,000
- Average LSAT Scores: 169
- Faculty-Student Ratio: 11:1
- Famous Alumni: Ann Coulter, Gerald Ford
16. Vanderbilt University Law School
Overview
Vanderbilt Law is recognized for its excellent legal research and writing programs as well as its strong focus on corporate law. It also places a high emphasis on legal theory and practical skills.
Key Information
- City Location: Nashville, Tennessee
- Year Founded: 1874
- Total Enrollment: Around 640
- Average LSAT Scores: 167
- Faculty-Student Ratio: 8:1
- Famous Alumni: Fred Thompson, James F. Neal
17. University of Texas at Austin School of Law
Overview
UT Austin Law excels in constitutional and criminal law, with robust offerings in clinical education and public service. Its proximity to the state capital provides unique opportunities for involvement in government and policy.
Key Information
- City Location: Austin, Texas
- Year Founded: 1883
- Total Enrollment: Approximately 1,000
- Average LSAT Scores: 168
- Faculty-Student Ratio: 10:1
- Famous Alumni: Tom C. Clark, Kay Bailey Hutchison
18. Boston University School of Law
Overview
Boston University School of Law is known for its rigorous intellectual property and health law programs. It provides a robust legal education with a focus on public interest law and a strong grounding in ethical practices.
Key Information
- City Location: Boston, Massachusetts
- Year Founded: 1872
- Total Enrollment: About 800
- Average LSAT Scores: 166
- Faculty-Student Ratio: 12:1
- Famous Alumni: Martin Luther King Jr., Leonard Nimoy
19. University of Minnesota Law School
Overview
The University of Minnesota Law School offers a comprehensive curriculum with a notable focus on business law and human rights. It fosters a collaborative environment with strong clinical programs that provide practical legal experience.
Key Information
- City Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Year Founded: 1888
- Total Enrollment: Over 800
- Average LSAT Scores: 165
- Faculty-Student Ratio: 11:1
- Famous Alumni: Walter Mondale, Tom Vilsack