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Chicago is home to several accredited law schools. To learn which ones are the best and how to get into them, read on!
Accurately named the Windy City, Chicago is known for its cool breezes, lively and moving music, and extraordinary food and culture that’ll sweep you off your feet! As an aspiring lawyer, another aspect of this bustling state that might blow you away is its extensive list of large law firms and legal organizations.
To help you get your foot in the door, Chicago has several top law schools that can provide you with direct access to these opportunities! This guide will go over these schools, their most redeeming qualities, and their key admission statistics!
Here are the top six law schools in Chicago broken down by important admissions information:
There are nine law schools in Illinois, six of which are in Chicago.
Two of these schools in Chicago are T14 schools, which gives Chicago a strong reputation in the legal community. Additionally, Chicago has a vibrant legal community with numerous law firms, corporate legal departments, and government agencies, providing students with ample opportunities to expand their networks and gain invaluable experience.
By University of Chicago Law School Communications Staff - University of Chicago Law School Communications Office, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10846049
The best law school in the city is the University of Chicago, a T14 school. It also tops the list of best law schools in Illinois.
This school takes a unique approach to its education by offering a premier interdisciplinary curriculum that blends the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.
It also offers a small, tight-knit community to ensure its students make the most of their education and can build close connections to some of the foremost members of the legal industry.
Students will have to submit stellar applications to get into this top-ranking school. But if you put in the hard work and are granted acceptance to this esteemed law school, you’ll be well prepared for your legal career and sought after by some of the country’s largest law firms!
By Ivylaw - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=49952517
Another T14 law school in Chicago is Northwestern University. Students admitted to this revered school will have access to the most interdisciplinary research faculty in the nation, the third lowest student-to-faculty ratio, and a clinical program known to change law and make significant advances in justice.
Additionally, Northwestern Law boasts a strong alumni network, with graduates often finding themselves in prestigious positions across various sectors of the legal field. The school's location in Chicago, a major legal hub, provides students with unparalleled opportunities for internships, externships, and networking.
By ajay_suresh - University of Illinois Chicago School of Law, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=110893120
The University of Illinois Chicago School of Law (UIC Law), formerly known as The John Marshall Law School until its acquisition by UIC in 2019, stands as Chicago's newest public law school. Located in the heart of the city's Loop district, UIC Law offers students direct access to Chicago's legal community, courts, and government agencies.
Founded in 1899, the institution brings over a century of legal education experience while adopting innovation through its merger with UIC. The school is known for its strong programs in intellectual property law, trial advocacy, and legal writing, consistently ranking among the top programs nationally in these specialties.
UIC Law prides itself on accessibility and diversity, with a commitment to serving first-generation college students and underrepresented communities. The school offers both full-time and part-time programs, making legal education accessible to working professionals.
With approximately 900 students and a student-to-faculty ratio of about 12:1, UIC Law provides a supportive learning environment while maintaining connections to Chicago's legal market through externships, clinics, and a network of over 18,000 alumni, many practicing in the Chicago area.
Loyola University is another one of the best law schools in Illinois and is highly regarded for its health law program, which ranks fourth in the nation. This school is student-focused and guided by Jesuit principles of intellectual openness, service to others, dedication, and academic excellence. Its mission involves:
If these values align with yours, Loyola may be the perfect fit for you!
By Duncanr at en.wikipedia - Transferred from en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15461347
The Illinois Institute of Technology’s mission involves providing students with extensive practical experience, a forward-thinking approach, and a solid skills-based foundation to ensure they can excel in a rapidly changing legal industry.
This university also offers deep connections to the Chicago legal community that provide students with diverse externship opportunities.
By ajay_suresh - DePaul University College of Law, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=110893122
DePaul University boasts of being as connected to Chicago as it is to the world, giving students the opportunity to gain valuable practical experience in the heart of the city and abroad. This school is best known for its health and intellectual property law programs.
Its rigorous curriculum is supported by nine unique centers that allow students to pursue their interests. DePaul also encourages students’ intellectual curiosity and inquiry by offering a diverse course range with supportive faculty that continuously generates innovative opportunities for students to learn and thrive.
Find your dream law school near Chicago in minutes with our Where Should I Go to Law School? Quiz! You can easily filter choices by region of the United States, making it a breeze to find the perfect fit for your legal education journey.
In this guide, we’ve gone over the top five law schools in the windy city and included the admission statistics and details necessary for you to get into your top choice. For any remaining questions about law schools in this city, read on to find your answers.
Yes, Chicago has two T14 law schools, which are regarded as some of the most sought-after and prestigious schools in the nation. Additionally, all of its other schools offer comprehensive curricula and clinical programs that prepare students for prosperous legal careers within Chicago and beyond.
The easiest law school to get into is the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law because it has the lowest LSAT score median of 152. It also has a high acceptance rate of 64.14%.
The University of Chicago is the best law school in the city and the third best in the nation overall, meaning it is highly selective. Students will need an LSAT score above the 173 median to be considered competitive applicants. Juris Education offers comprehensive tutoring in Chicago from 170+ scoring experts.
The GPA you need will depend on the school you’re planning on applying to. Higher-ranking schools, such as the University of Chicago and Northwestern University, will require GPAs above 3.95. The other schools on this list will require GPAs between 3.4 and 3.8 to stand out.
There are six accredited law schools in Chicago.
Yes, Chicago is an excellent place to study law because it’s one of the largest cities in the nation and can offer students unparalleled job opportunities to begin building their networks and gaining valuable career experience.
This city also has some of the most prestigious law firms and organizations that students can have access to while pursuing their JD! Many of these firms offer externships to local students that can eventually turn into full-time positions.
Regardless of your preferred employment location, the law schools in this guide will equip you with the skills necessary to thrive in any legal environment! Many of them even offer global internship opportunities to help you expand your perspectives on law!
With almost 200 law schools to choose from in the country, picking your top choices can leave you feeling winded (pun intended). After going over the best law schools in one of the finest cities to practice law, compiling this list should be easier!
Any one of the schools discussed in this guide can offer you the resources and experience to thrive in the legal field! For those seeking tailored guidance, personalized admissions support can make the application process more manageable and increase your chances of success.
David Merson was the original author of this article. Snippets of his work may remain.
Reviewed by:
Former Admissions Officer at Cornell Law School, Cornell Law School
