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College rankings have intrigued people for the past 30 years. It’s a natural go-to when making college career decisions. Recently, however, there has been a change in how law school rankings are put together and a resistance among some of the law schools to participate in the most popular ranking, that of U.S. News & World Report. Yale Law School announced in late 2022 it would no longer submit data to the annual U.S. News & World Report ranking, followed by Harvard, Stanford, Georgetown, Columbia and Berkeley. Yale officials said the methodology behind the listing was “fatally flawed.”According to the New York Times, the law schools’ “concerns were about ethics, equity and mission. The rankings, with their focus on test scores, grades and employment, created a perverse incentive to downgrade public service law careers and to award merit aid rather than need-based aid, they said.”People continue to be interested in law school rankings and which law schools are the top performing. In this article, we’ll look at the top 10 U.S. law schools ranked by acceptance rate — how difficult they are to get into. The list is ranked with the toughest one to get accepted by first, and they follow in order of difficulty.Recommended: Preparing for Pre-Law: All You Need to Know
The Top 10 Law Schools by Acceptance Rate
In the U.S. News & World Report list, the top 10 law schools are selected based on 14 factors, including peer reviews (from colleges and lawmakers), graduate employment rates, bar passage, and acceptance rates. The most weight is given to outcomes, meaning a college’s success in enrolling, keeping, and graduating students of all backgrounds with reasonable debt. To create this list, we are drawing on the acceptance rates of law schools as published by a consensus of media reports, legal advocacy groups, and LSAT test-prep companies to get an idea of the U.S. law schools ranked.Yale Law School, the hardest one to get into, has an acceptance rate of between 6% and 7%. Of the subsequent law schools on the following list, none has an acceptance rate that exceeds 25%.
1. Yale University
Founded in 1701, Yale is one of the oldest universities in the United States. Its original curriculum emphasized classical studies, under a culture of orthodox Puritanism. The law school was founded in 1824 and its alumni roster includes five presidents.Today, its students aren’t given traditional grades. They’re graded on honors, pass, or low pass system. There is no class rank.
What Makes It Exceptional
Yale has an acceptance rate of 7.3% and small class sizes of 20 or fewer students. Nearly 90% of graduates are employed after graduation with average starting salaries of up to $190,000.Yale offers dual degree programs with their professional and graduate schools, including an MBA/JD program that can be completed in three years. Students also have the option of taking courses at other schools without taking on a second major. Yale Law is top in U.S. News law school rankings.
Eligibility Criteria
Prospective students must be college grads (or soon-to-be grads) and have taken the LSAT or GRE in order to apply. As of today, there is no minimum LSAT or GRE score — so students can shine in other ways. For instance, the class of 2025’s students' LSAT scores ranges from 152 to 180, and college GPAs from 3.17 to 4.21.
Application Deadline and Process
Applicants must follow these steps:
Pay the application fee
Provide transcripts from college(s) or universities you attended
Provide your LSAT or GRE score (one, not both)
Two letters of recommendation from your professors (or employers if you have been out of school for some time)
Write two essays
Optional: Write a diversity statement
Optional: Interview (if selected)
The application deadline for the class of 2026 is February 15, 2023.
Pros and Cons of Attending
Yale has a strong academic program, though unorthodox. Students who want a traditional teaching and grading system might consider their options.
Pros
Cons
Small class size for the more tailored program for each student need
Competitive program: very low acceptance rate (compared to 15.6% Harvard Law School)
Generous financial aid, including healthcare provision
Fewer hands-on programs and resources in comparison to other law schools
Cost of Tuition
For the 2022-2023 year, tuition at Yale Law School is $69,433. Books are estimated at an additional $1,100. If a student chooses to live on campus, the fee is $21,400 per year. And, health insurance is also offered for $2,756 a year.
Available Scholarships and Grants
Yale Law School awarded financial aid to 76% of students in the 2021-2022 academic year. The median scholarship was $31,120 and 79% of awardees received $20,000 or more.It does not award scholarships based on merit or criteria and the maximum grant allowed is the full tuition amount based on need.The Horizon grant is a needs-based grant for students whose family’s income level is below the federal poverty line and assets are below $150,000. A total of $4,000 is awarded. Eligible veterans can also consider the Yellow Ribbon program, a supplemental scholarship. Veterans who are covered under the Post 9/11 GI Bill can qualify for a Yellow Ribbon scholarship and a Yellow Ribbon matching contribution from Yale Law School. Veterans should consult with Veterans Affairs to confirm eligibility.
2. Stanford University
Located just an hour outside of San Francisco, this elite university has seen such graduates as Supreme Court Justices William Hubbs Rehnquist and Sandra Day O’Connor — the first woman in the Supreme Court. It was founded by railroad magnate Leland Stanford in 1885 and currently is home to over 120 research institutes, including the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research, the Institute for International Studies, and the Stanford Humanities Center.
What Makes It Exceptional
Stanford Law school’s student to faculty member ratio is an intimate 7:1, with an average of 30 students in a first year course. 98.9% of students passed the bar within two years of graduation. Students can also pursue joint degrees such as a JD/Master’s, JD/MD or a JD/PhD in 21 subjects. Stanford University has a notable teaching hospital and has produced three Nobel laureates in medicine.Finally, students have access to several hands-on programs for experience and journals for research. One program, the Center for Internet and Society, allows students, scholars, and legislators to collaborate on research on issues such as privacy. Its well-known journals include the Stanford Law Review and the Stanford Journal of International Law.
Eligibility Criteria
An undergraduate degree and either an LSAT or GRE score are required for eligibility to Stanford Law School. (Details are available through contacting Stanford Law.)
Application Deadline and Process
Stanford requires the following for application:
Completed application form
Application fee of $85
Resume
Personal statement
Two letters of recommendation (preferred from instructors, but professional references accepted)
LSAT or GRE score
Transcripts submitted to LSAC (which will be forwarded to Stanford in a Law School Credential Assembly Service)
The deadline for the upcoming academic year is February 15, 2023.
Pros and Cons of Attending
Pros
Cons
Proximity to Silicon Valley for leading STEM law networking
Depending on your career, starting salary can be $54,000, which is just below the US’s average of $54,132.
Generous need-based and merit-based financial aid packages, including elimination of tuition for low-income students
Pricey cost of living in Bay Area
Cost of Tuition
Stanford tuition costs $66,396. Room and board factor in at $31,557, though it’s optional. With the additional costs, Stanford recommends $107,055 for a school year.
Available Scholarships and Grants
About 75% to 80% of students receive a form of financial aid from Stanford. The average fellowship tuition ranged from $25,000 to $28,000 per year. Students pursuing public service careers are eligible for fellowships, summer work, and loan repayment options.The Office of Financial Aid releases a guide each year for rules and the application process.
3. Harvard University
Founded in 1636, Harvard is the oldest higher learning organization in the U.S. It also boasts the oldest library system in the country at 384 years old. The university was named after the Puritan minister John Harvard, who left half his estate to the then college. Today’s campus lies just west of Boston in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
What Makes It Exceptional
Harvard is the oldest and most storied center for political and legal excellence — graduating seven presidents including Teddy Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, and Barack Obama and twenty-one Supreme Court Justices from 1832 to the present! It’s no wonder why it consistently ranks as one of the top law schools in the country.Its history of producing legal and political heavyweights carries on in today’s traditions. Students engage in hands-on work early at one of its legal clinics, the largest legal clinic network in the world, or at the school’s Student Practice Organization, where students get a chance to help represent inmates at disciplinary hearings among other activities. Students must complete 40 or more hours of pro bono work prior to graduation.The university has unconventional grading procedures where students receive honors, pass or fail status instead of letter grades.Harvard law school students also have a unique opportunity to spend their third year at the University of Cambridge in England.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must have earned a bachelor’s degree (or be on track to graduate prior to Harvard Law’s semester start). LSAT and GRE scores are also required, although there is no minimum. The class of 2025 had scores as high as 175 and GPAs of 3.99.
Application Deadline and Process
Applications open September 20th and close February 20th. The JD application requires the following:
Completed online application
An $85 non-refundable fee
Resume
Personal statement
LSAT or GRE score
A copy of your LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS)
All undergraduate and graduate transcripts
Two letters of recommendation (academic letter preferred)
Completed Character and Fitness questionnaire
Pros and Cons of Attending
Harvard Law School does well for applicants who have been in the workforce for at least a year. A total of 78% of the class of 2025 have been out of college for at least a year, and 65% have been out of college for two or more.
Pros
Cons
Largest legal clinic network available to students for hands-on experience
Large school campus may not be a fit for all personalities
Established, storied program with a broad program in law
Larger class size also may not be a fit for students looking for intimate programs
Cost of Tuition
Tuition at Harvard University costs $71,734. The total cost of attendance is estimated at $107,000. On-campus housing ranges from $7,879.70 to $35,568 per student for the academic year, depending on the housing type and whether or not you have roommates (residences or apartments).
Available Scholarships and Grants
Students can apply for financial aid after acceptance into any one of Harvard’s law programs. An application must be completed for consideration.About 50% of JD students qualify for financial aid in the form of a grant. Up to $50,000 is awarded per year (the amount is subject to change). Harvard also offers the Low Income Protection Plan to help graduates with lower salaries with their student loans.Harvard is also a part of the Yellow Ribbon Program for veterans who qualify under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. In the program, the Department of Veterans Affairs matches school contributions — so the combination can cover the tuition and fees for an academic year.
4. University of Pennsylvania (Carey)
Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, “UPenn” — not to be confused with Penn State — was founded in 1740. Benjamin Franklin served as president of its first board. It was one of the first universities to admit women in the late 1800s, though in separate all-female schools.U.S. Supreme Court Justices William Brennan and Owen Josephus Roberts are UPenn grads.
What Makes It Exceptional
Students enrolled in the JD program can specialize in topics like East Asian Studies to supplement their program. UPenn also offers dual degree programs like an MBA or a bioethics master's to supplement their JDs. Some 47% of the class of 2022 earned an additional certificate and 16% earned a dual degree.UPenn also offers international study abroad programs for up to a semester. They partner with international law facilities in Barcelona, Jerusalem, Hong Kong, and other cities. The Paris Sciences Po program allows year-long studies for dual degree subjects in Master’s in Economic Law (GGS), and Transnational Arbitration (LLM).With a focus on enabling law students to practice their academics, UPenn’s Toll Public Interest Center (TPIC) helps students get there. TPIC partners with over 350 community partners on global service projects.UPenn requires 70 hours of pro bono work as a graduation requirement–which 90% exceed. Their Pro Bono Program offers 20 projects in six practice areas to connect students with local and distant clients.An additional wealth of resources can be found at UPenn, including the Law School’s Centers & Institutes, supplementary seminars in their Legal Education Program, and seven nationally recognized journals.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree and provide either LSAT or GRE scores (or the GMAT for master’s programs). Students must also register with the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC).Though there is no LSAT or GRE minimum, the class of 2025’s median LSAT score is 172 and GPA median is 3.90.
Application Deadline and Process
Applications open on September 1. The early decision deadline is November 15 and the regular decision send-by date is March 1.The following must be provided as part of the process:
A completed online application
Application fee of $80
Transcripts of all undergraduate or graduate work
CAS Law School report
LSAT, GRE, or GMAT scores
Two letters of recommendation (via LSAC Letter of Recommendation Service only)
Resume
Personal statement
Pros and Cons of Attending
Pros
Cons
Large campus broad hands-on externships, clinics, and pro bono programs (one of the highest pro bono hour minimums required)
Competitive acceptance rate year-to-year
Broad elective offerings to earn specialization certificates
Less need-based financial aid offered compared to other top 10 law schools
Cost of Tuition
The cost of Carey’s tuition is $73,008 and room and board is $14,000. The total cost of attendance is estimated at $100,772.
Available Scholarships and Grants
If you sign up for UPenn Carey’s Law program, you’re automatically considered for merit scholarships. Sometimes applicants will be invited to apply for additional scholarships that require extra steps. Students are assessed for their academic achievements, leadership, and service, among other factors. Conditional scholarships are not awarded, but students given merit scholarships must be full-time and be in good academic standing throughout their time in the program.UPenn also offers multiple scholars programs including the Levy Scholars Program, which offers a full ride to select students based on merit. Students accepted in this program have access to exclusive academic programs and mentoring. There is no application required — nominees are selected from the applicant pool.Finally, need-based grants are offered. Enrollees must fill out both the FAFSA and CSS profile applications to be considered.
5. University of Virginia
Located near the Blue Ridge Mountains, this public university was founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819. He established the elective study system and argued against degrees as “artificial embellishments.” It was a graduate school until its first bachelor's degree program was offered in 1868. The New York Times crossword puzzle editor, Will Shortz, is a notable alum.
What Makes It Exceptional
A student-run honor system makes the University of Virginia unique. Students who break the code (like stealing) are processed by a student jury and expelled if found guilty. It has an impressive graduate track record, too. The law school does well in placing graduates in the nation’s top 100 firms and second overall in placing graduates at the top 10 highest-grossing law firms. It also has graduates in all the top 100 U.S. law firms (as of July 2022).Like most law programs, students have many options to tailor their academics at UVA. After completing first-year requirements, students have access to concentration courses like Criminal Justice or Family Law; 14 dual-degree programs, like a JD-MA (Government) or JD-MS (Accounting); seminars; and hands-on courses taught at one of their 20 clinics.UVA’s law school also offers study abroad programs for semesters or dual degree programs. Eleven semester programs are offered in countries like South Korea, Australia, and Japan. Students can also participate in externships abroad. Third year students have the option of earning a Master's in Economic Law from France’s Institut d’Études Politiques (Sciences Po).
Eligibility Criteria
Prospective students must have completed a bachelor’s degree and have completed standardized testing for law school (either the GRE, GMAT, or LSAT).Though there is no standardized test minimum to be accepted, the entering class of 2021’s LSAT score range (25-75%) was 166-173. The 25%-75% GPA range was 3.64-3.97
Application Deadline and Process
Applications are released September 1 and must be completed by March 1. There are two types of applications: regular and binding decision applications. Both have the same deadline, but binding decision applicants are notified of UVA’s acceptance within 21 business days from acceptance.You must submit the following in order to be considered:
A standardized test score (GRE, GMAT, or LSAT)
All undergraduate and graduate transcripts via the Credential Assembly Service (CAS)
Two letters of recommendation
A personal statement
$85 application fee
Pros and Cons of Attending
UVA’s law school continuously ranks at the top of law school rankings for student satisfaction and high quality of life.
Pros
Cons
Leading university in quality of life, based in Charlottesville, SC
Suburban location requires a car and related expenses
Intimate class size suited for more tailored learning
Traditional letter grade system may not be for students looking for a pass/fail system
Cost of Tuition
Tuition costs $68,500 for Virginia residents and $71,500 for non-residents. Room and board is an additional $15,282 for the 2022-2023 year (updated from $14,317).
Available Scholarships and Grants
Merit-only scholarships of $5,000 to full rides are offered to all new students. No separate application is required. The Karsh-Dillard Scholarships are full ride scholarships, provided that students are in good standing.Need-based scholarships are mostly in the form of loans. However, permitting funds, need-based aid is awarded. Students who wish to be considered for this type of scholarship must complete a FAFSA.UVA law is also a Yellow Ribbon Program participant for veterans covered under the Chapter 33/Post 9/11 GI Bill.
6. Columbia University
Founded before the Revolutionary War, Columbia University was a men’s only college with an affiliate school for women, Barnard College. The former opened its doors to women in 1983, while Barnard still serves only women.
What Makes It Exceptional
Columbia University today is located in the Upper West Side neighborhood of Manhattan. Its 34 programs are known for a diverse collection of subjects, including the Center for Public Research and Leadership and the Center on Corporate Governance. You can choose from one of over 30 international dual degree programs or semesters abroad. Cities include Paris, Oxford, Buenos Aires, Peking, and Hitotsubashi (Japan).Hands-on work flourishes with clinics, externships, simulations, labs, workshops, pro bono initiatives, and student organizations. First-year students must participate in the Foundation Moot Court Program or join a specialized team for legal competitions. Columbia also has an Office of Judicial Clerkships that plugs students into the court system with 1:1 mentoring and clerkship application processing services. Students have access to its influential Human Rights Institute, one of the world’s largest human rights centers in the world. Students can work with a range of advocacy groups and individuals to help promote international human rights with education, research, advocacy, and scholarship. For instance, students have helped an organization document war crimes in the Central African Republic to push for policy change in the U.S. Finally, Columbia’s 14 journals and law reviews are student-run publications and are some of the leading titles in the nation.
Eligibility Criteria
In order to be considered for Columbia University Law School, students must have completed a bachelor’s degree and have taken the LSAT or GRE tests. There is no standardized test score minimum.The median LSAT score of 2021 enrollees was 174 and the median undergraduate GPA was 3.84.
Application Deadline and Process
The university offers regular and early decision application options. Applications must be submitted by November 15 for early decision and February 15 for regular decision. As with most early decision applications, students must withdraw from other universities and commit to Columbia if accepted. Admissibility is determined by several factors: undergraduate performance, testing, professional and public service activities, and writing abilities (a core skill for law). Students must provide the following:
$85 application fee
A personal statement
Either GRE or LSAT score
Two letters of recommendation (no preference or professional or academic)
A résumé
Dean’s appraisal or certification
All undergraduate and postgraduate academic transcripts
Pros and Cons of Attending
Columbia University’s Law School program is great for those who have spent time in the workforce post bachelor’s. Some 70% of Columbia’s class fall into this category. Also, a majority of enrollees from 2021 earned a degree in political science and social studies.
Pros
Cons
New York City location is a vast wealth of resources and offers a wide political and legal network
Living expenses in New York City can be higher than the national average
Broad on-hands programs, clinics, and externships
Costliest tuition of the top 10 law schools
Cost of Tuition
The cost of Columbia’s tuition alone is $75,572. Room and board come separately at the price of $14,620. Students can expect to pay around $110,450 for a year at Columbia, including room and board.
Available Scholarships and Grants
Columbia awards financial aid primarily based on need. Students who wish to apply are strongly encouraged to file their FAFSAs on or before February 15 regardless of acceptance.Each year, two students are awarded a full ride via the Greene Public Service Scholarship award. Students must pursue public law and demonstrate commitment to a career in the field in order to be considered. Students accepted in this program are also simultaneously accepted into the Public Interest/Public Service Fellows Program and either the Human Rights Internship Program or Guaranteed Summer Funding Program.Students do not need to apply for this scholarship, but are selected from the admission pool. Greene Scholars must work in government, human rights or public interest law during their summers while enrolled.
7. University of Chicago
Students at UChicago are taught “how, not what, to think.” It was founded in 1890 with funding from John D. Rockefeller. It received national recognition for its innovative academic strategies such as measuring student achievement and established the U.S.’s first department of sociology in 1892.
What Makes It Exceptional
Because of the small class sizes, students can expect to be better acquainted with faculty, who are known to organize meal outings with students in Hyde Park.Students can expect to find a wealth of resources on campus: from 60 student organizations (like the Intellectual Property Law Society) to 15 law clinics that act as mini “law firms” for students. The clinics’ primary mission is to equip students with advocacy skills where they can apply legal principles and serve underprivileged clients. Students assist clients under the guidance of full-time clinical faculty.About 99% of the class of 2021 found employment within 10 months after graduation and started with a median salary of $190,000. The majority of students placed at law firms.
Eligibility Criteria
While there is no GPA or standardized test threshold, a GRE or LSAT score is required to be considered for the program. Students also must have completed undergraduate studies; and, non-native English speakers must complete a TOEFL or IELTS exam to demonstrate English proficiency.
Application Deadline and Process
University of Chicago’s Law School opens applications on September 1. Its early decision deadline is December 1 and regular deadline is March 1. If accepted, applicants for early decision must commit to UChicago and withdraw applications from other programs.A variety of factors affect your application. Students are assessed via a “holistic” approach versus strictly by test scores.In order to apply students must complete the following:
The online application (incl. a “Character and Fitness” questionnaire)
Undergraduate and graduate school transcripts
Standardized test scores including the LSAT, GRE, or GMAT scores
Resume
Two to four letters of recommendation (academic letters strongly preferred)
Personal statement
$90 application fee
TOEFL or IELTS test scores must be submitted to prove proficiency for non-native English speakers
Pros and Cons of Attending
Students who prefer more intimate instruction might feel more comfortable in UChicago’s setup.
Pros
Cons
Campus is in a large cosmopolitan city, great for experience and networking
Urban living might not be a fit for certain students
Intimate class size
Offers fewer elective program than other schools
Cost of Tuition
UChicago’s law school tuition alone costs $72,081. Room and board are an additional $17,280. First-year students can expect to pay around $108,063 for their first year (including on-campus housing).
Available Scholarships and Grants
All UChicago Law School students are considered for scholarship awards. Students must fill out a FAFSA in order for the school to consider their financial needs.Full tuition, high award, and other types of scholarships are offered. Thanks to the generous U Chicago Empower program, students whose families earn under $125,000 per year will get a full ride. The program kicks off with the Class of 2023.JD/Ph.D. enrollees are also considered for fellowships in the form of full or partial financial aid and living stipends. Another fellowship award, the Patiño Fellowship, considers students who do not have a financial need.
8. New York University
New York University (NYU) is the largest private university in the U.S., with a total fall enrollment of 48,000 in undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. It has campuses in New York, Abu Dhabi, and Shanghai. The institution alone has over 19,000 employees.
What Makes It Exceptional
NYU’s campus in Manhattan gives prospective students easy access to leading law firms, international organizations, and corporate HQs as network and learning opportunities.Students also have the option of eight different dual degree programs. Students in their first year gain practical skills in the Lawyering Program. NYU also offers Colloquia seminar classes or workshops in different subject areas.Finally, students have the option to study abroad at about 15 universities around the world, including Germany, Italy, and Singapore.
Eligibility Criteria
In order to apply, you must be 18 years old or older and hold a bachelor’s degree. LSAT or GRE scores, no later than five years old, are also required.While there is no standardized score minimum, the Fall 2021 entering class’s 25th percentile score averaged 170 and had a GPA of 3.73.
Application Deadline and Process
Applications open September 1. The early decision deadline is November 15 and the regular decision deadline is February 15. You must successfully complete and provide the following:
Online application form
Standardized test scores (LSAT or GRE)
CAS Report
Two recommendation letters (via the LSAC Letter of Recommendation (LOR) Service only)
Application fee of $85
Personal statement
Resume
Students are notified on a rolling basis.
Pros and Cons of Attending
NYU’s graduates showed a high median salary of $215,000 with 98.07% of 2021 graduates employed 10 months after graduation.
Pros
Cons
Coveted student campus and housing located in historic West Village neighborhood
High cost of living in New York City
Promising leading legal network opportunities in New York
Less financial aid compared to other top 10 law schools
Cost of Tuition
Students at NYU Law School pay $73,216 in tuition. Room and board cost an additional $26,059 and the total cost of attendance is estimated at $109,290.
Available Scholarships and Grants
NYU’s financial aid comes in the form of grants, scholarship programs, and the Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP).The main merit-based scholarship is the Dean’s Award, the university’s signature grant. Accepted students must complete a financial aid application (sent to admitted students in early January) to be considered. Several other scholarships are offered, but require a separate application.Students can also apply for the LRAP, a program that offers generous deferment and public service programs to work towards full loan forgiveness.
9. University of California Berkeley
The University of California is a system of public universities located throughout the state. Two of its more prominent schools are Berkeley and UCLA in Los Angeles. It was founded in 1855.Berkeley is the main campus of the system, with over 45,000 students. It offers over 350-degree programs and leading research centers such as the Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center and the Energy Institute. The main campus is located less than an hour from San Francisco, the Silicon Valley hub.
What Makes It Exceptional
UC Berkeley operates on a pass/fail system and does not rank students. Furthermore, students don’t need to wait a year for hands-on courses. They can take service courses like the Energy Leaders in Law or join one of their journals.Students can choose an area of study like Law and Technology, Environmental Law, and Criminal Justice, and some unique courses. It has led the way in developing top-notch programs in intellectual property (IP) and technology related law: U.S. News ranks its IP Law program as the top in the nation. And, as home to Napa Valley winemakers, the university offers a unique Wine Law course.As with most top tier universities, Berkeley offers dual degree programs, but it offers unique “Combined Degree Programs” where students can earn a degree from partnering universities like the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University (MALD) and the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University (MPP). Berkeley also partners with Harvard in a program where students can complete their third year at Harvard.
Eligibility Criteria
Prospective students must have a bachelor’s degree before entering one of their law programs and have taken the LSAT or GRE standardized test. UC Berkeley has a GPA minimum of 3.0. While there are no LSAT or GRE minimums, the range of LSAT scores of enrollees from the past several years ranges from 166 to 169.Students who are not English native speakers must provide TOEFL or IELTS scores to be eligible. The minimum TOEFL score is 100 for the internet-based test, 600 for the paper-based test, and 7 for the IELTS.
Application Deadline and Process
The application opens September 1. Binding Early Decision applications are due November 15 and Regular decision applications are due February 15.Students must provide the following to complete an application:
LSAT score (no older than five years) with the writing sample
All undergraduate or postgraduate transcripts via the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) report
A personal statement
Resume (no page limit)
Two to four letters of recommendation
Completed online application
$75 application fee
Pros and Cons of Attending
The age range of the entering class of 2021 was 21 to 37 years old and 16% of enrollees have a STEM degree.
Pros
Cons
Location and programs an advantage for students interested in tech-related law
Competitive admission rate of 4 percent
Affordable tuition for value (lowest of the top 10 US law schools)
Limited school financial aid options
Cost of Tuition
The cost of tuition for all three years is $61,550 for state residents or $76,652 for nonresidents. The cost for on-campus room and board ranges from $19,520 to $15,528 per year.
Available Scholarships and Grants
Berkeley Law enrollees can receive awards from the law school and the University of California. Scholarships, grants, and fellowships from Berkeley Law are denoted as “gift aid.”Prospective students complete a Scholarships Section of their JD application for merit-based scholarships. Each scholarship has unique instructions and deadlines. For need-based scholarships, students must complete a separate application called the supplemental gift aid application (SGA) to help the school determine the award amount.Gift aid amounts range from $15,000 to $75,000 for all three years. Offers greater than that amount is possible, but uncommon.
10. University of Michigan Ann Arbor
Located in Ann Arbor in southeastern Michigan, this public university was founded in 1817. It’s known for many progressive firsts: the first U.S. school to create its own hospital, the first to teach American history, and one of the first institutions to admit women in 1870 and African Americans in 1868.Its campus features a hospital, broadcasting station, bioresearch labs, and wave tanks/propeller tunnels for marine design research. The university received $893 million in federal research funds.
What Makes It Exceptional
Students take their core education classes in the first year, but first-year enrollees can start early with the Summer Start program. Doing so frees up their academic year for other programs.The law school offers on-hands courses to enhance the real-world application of their academic studies with 19 clinics (including pediatric and veterans clinics), externships nationally or in global locations like South Africa, and pro bono programs to complete a mandatory 50 hours, among other opportunities. Extensive study abroad programs are also offered as summer, semester, externship, and fellowship programs. Program locations are abundant and far-reaching with locations from Mexico to Ghana and Japan to Germany. One of its fellowship programs, the Clara Belfield and Henry Bates Overseas Fellowship, helps fund student international programs from several hundred dollars to $10,000 or more.Dual degrees are also offered in multiple areas, including JD/MBA, JD/MSW (social work), and JD/MHSA.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must have an undergraduate degree before starting a law program. Students must also have completed the LSAT test.
Application Deadline and Process
The application for law programs opens on August 29. Early decision applications are due November 15 and regular decision applications are due February 28. Applicants must complete or provide the following in their submission:
LSAT score (no older than 5 years)
All undergraduate and graduate transcripts from Credential Assembly Service (CAS) report
Completed application
$75 application fee
One to three letters of recommendation (must come with a separate signed declaration of applicant’s intent for access to the letter)
Personal statement
Application certification (on the application form)
Pros and Cons of Attending
Students get a valuable education for an affordable price.
Pros
Cons
Campus has unique facilities like hospital
Large classes may not be a fit for students looking for a smaller class-to-faculty ratio (one of the top two highest compared to the other 10)
Ranked a top 10 US law school every year since U.S. News’ first report came out in 1987
Public university life and culture may not be a fit for all students
Cost of Tuition
Student tuition costs $66,808 for in-state enrollees and $69,808 nonresidents for one year. On-campus law school exclusive housing ranges from $14,491 to $16,905. Overally, students can expect to pay $89,628 (in-state) or $92,628 (nonresident) total in fees, books, and other expenses (including housing).
Available Scholarships and Grants
The University of Michigan was rated number one for value in 2022. But, law school is still a costly endeavor. Thankfully, the law school has offered $5 million or more in grants to new classes.Merit and need-based grants are offered. The Darrow Scholarship awarded to select students for academic achievement and leadership potential, among other factors. The award can cover the full tuition. All applicants are automatically considered for the scholarship and do not need to apply separately. Students are also considered for the Dean’s Scholarship, which ranges from $5,000 to full tuition. Finally, students can take an online questionnaire for need-based grants to determine forms needed.
Average Cost of Top Law Schools
The cost of law school is a subject of growing debate. Are there enough high-paying jobs for law school graduates to make the expense worth it?The average cost of top law schools, according to the most recently published tuition published on school sites, is $67,845. Out-of-state tuition was calculated into the average. The lowest tuition cost is Berkely at $35,702 for nonresidents and the highest tuition cost is Columbia University at $75,572.Recommended: Is the Cost of Law School Worth It?
Ideas to Pay for Law School
If an internship is required in order to graduate, students can take on paid legal internships during the year to eat away at law school costs — and carry on with an internship during the summer to save up for the next academic year. Try rooming with family or friends to save on living expenses during your internship.Since law school requires your full effort and attention, it’s best for students to work during summer breaks.
Law Student Loans
Repaying student loans is a burden for many Americans, no matter whether they’ve graduated from the best law schools or not. Federal student loans often come with low fixed interest rates and benefits like deferment. Understanding the difference between subsidized and unsubsidized student loans is important. Students who land subsidized loans will get a boost — the government pays interest while you’re in school through deferment. To apply for a federal loan, fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as it’s released on October 1, whether you’ve been admitted into a school or not. Doing so ensures you get the maximum loan amount offered.Students also have the option to finance part of their tuition with private loans. Offered by private companies, some offer competitive interest rates and benefits like a deferment.Recommended: Average Time to Pay Off Student Loans
Law School Scholarships
Elite colleges are often willing to cover students’ tuition, if they show a demonstrated need. For instance, Yale’s average undergrad financial aid contribution was $58,244 for $84,525 of its cost of attendance (COA) bill. It’s best to exhaust need-based financial aid focusing on scholarship and grant options before taking out loans.
The Takeaway
Law school is a long-term investment. When scrutinizing law school rankings 2022, don’t forget that your education should pay off, whether in job satisfaction or salary. Some 55 schools out of 183 reported their 202 graduates starting off with a median salary at or above $100,000. And 22 schools reported a median salary of $190,000 — including the top 10 law schools. And the Economics of Education Review reports that the lowest ranked university from the top 14 increased employment by 30 percentage points more than the universities ranked below it.Refinancing student loans may make sense for you if your financial profile would make you eligible for a lower interest rate or favorable terms. Remember that the amount you refinance will no longer be eligible for federal student loan forgiveness.
3 Student Loan Tips
Once the pandemic-related pause on federal student loan payments ends, going back to making payments may be hard on budgets. One solution is to refinance to a lower interest rate, longer loan term, or both, depending on your situation. (The tradeoff is that you’ll be forfeiting federal benefits such as repayment programs.) Find and compare your student loan refinance options.
Paying extra each month on your student loan can reduce the interest you pay and so lower your total loan cost over time. (The law prohibits prepayment penalties on federal or private student loans.)
One pain-free way to pay down your student loan sooner: send in your tax refund to put against the principal balance. Since it’s money that has already been taken out of your pay, you won’t miss it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are "Tier 4" law schools?
Is every single law school in the U.S. ranked?
What are "Top 14" law schools?
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About the Author
Krystal Ndoni
Krystal Ndoni is New York-based writer with nearly a decade of media experience. With print and digital content experience across a wide range of topics, Ndoni loves finding the best insight to satisfy reader curiosity.
