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Best Law Schools in the US

September 5, 2023
Contents

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Reviewed by:

David Merson

Former Head of Pre-Law Office, Northeastern University, & Admissions Officer, Brown University

Reviewed: 01/18/23

Are you applying to law school and looking for the best law schools in the US? In this article, we will go over the top law schools in the country and their admission requirements.

It’s no secret that going to the best law school in the US can be a fantastic way to kickstart your future in the legal profession. Attending an Ivy League law school can open many opportunities that a non-ivy league school can’t. 

Deciding which law school to go to is a big deal. It’s crucial to find a school that will provide you with a top-notch education, one where you can find a community and feel welcomed.

This article will cover the best law schools in the US. We will go over what LSAT score, GPA, and application components you’ll need to get into the top law schools in the US.

Top Law Schools in the US

Below, you’ll find the best law schools in the US for 2023.

Top 5 Law Schools in the U.S

Yale University Law School

Yale University
Source: US News

Yale Law School, located in New Haven, Connecticut, is the top law school in the US. At this Ivy League law school, grades do not exist. Students are not given any grades during their first term at Yale Law School. However, afterward, they are graded only by honors, pass, low pass, credit, or failure. 

At Yale Law School, students can tailor their course selections to fit their interests. Students may also obtain joint degrees in combination with other graduate schools at Yale. Class sizes are small and intimate, allowing students to learn closely with their professors. Yale Law School offers full-time classes, and their tuition is $69,100.

Stanford University Law School

Stanford Law School
Source: Stanford News

Stanford University Law School is in Silicon Valley, California, and is the nation’s second-best ranked law school. Stanford Law School has a competitive acceptance rate (10.48%) after Yale Law School (6.9%) in 2020.

Stanford Law School is known for its collegial culture. Students, alumni, and faculty support and collaborate with one another to ensure success at Stanford Law School. Classes are small, and students can explore and contribute to the world through their education in law. 

Stanford Law School believes in focusing on the future rather than the past. The academic program at Stanford addresses emerging opportunities in the legal profession and has students and alumni working together as partners to change the world through law. They offer full-time classes, and tuition is $64,350. 

University of Chicago Law School

University of Chicago Law School
Source: University of Chicago Law School

The Law School at the University of Chicago is in Chicago, Illinois, and is the third top law school in the US. The University of Chicago Law School offers professional education that combines law and humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. 

 The law school at the University of Chicago is a small, tight-knit community, and learning is participatory. The law school challenges students by proposing alternative viewpoints and styles of thought. They offer full-time classes, and tuition is $73,185. 

Columbia University Law School

Columbia University
Source: Columbia Law School

Columbia University Law School,  located in New York City, has recently been ranked the fourth top law school in the US. 

Columbia Law School offers a unique perspective on its education. At Columbia Law, students enrolled in the pro bono program must complete 40 hours of mandatory public interest law service. Students must complete these hours between their first and last years at law school. 

Since this program started, over 50 percent of every graduating class has completed more than 40 hours of pro bono work, and nearly 85 percent have claimed that they’re committed to working on more pro bono cases once they’ve become attorneys.

Columbia Law offers full-time classes, and tuition is $73,584.

Harvard University Law School

Harvard University
Source: Harvard Law School

Harvard Law School, located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is the fifth top law school in the US. Harvard University prides itself in its diversity and in supporting and encouraging students and lawyers to commit to public service work throughout their careers. 

Like Columbia Law School, Harvard Law also requires students to complete 50 hours of pro bono work prior to graduation. It has been recorded that for the 2020-2021 academic year, the average Harvard Law School student served 662 pro bono hours.

Harvard Law School offers full-time classes, and tuition is $68,962.

How To Get into the Top Law Schools In the US

Below you will find a chart that explains what each of the top five law schools in the US requires of applicants and the average GPA and LSAT scores.

Top 5 US Law School Statistics

Choosing the Best Law School for You

Choosing the best law school to attend can be daunting. Therefore, we developed a quiz that provides you with a customized list of law schools that align with your individual needs and preferences.

Best Law Schools in the US: FAQs

It’s normal to feel overwhelmed and confused when choosing the right law school for you. If you’re still feeling that way after reading this article, hopefully, these frequently asked questions on the best law schools in the US can help you out. 

1. What Is the #1 Law School In America?

As of 2022-23, Yale University Law School is the best law school in the US. According to years of law school rankings, Yale Law has been the #1 law school in America. The median LSAT score for this school is 173.

2. What Is the Most Prestigious Law School In America?

The most prestigious law school in America is Yale University Law School. According to US News, Stanford University Law is ranked second, and the University of Chicago Law is ranked third. 

3. Which Law School Is the Hardest To Get Into?

These are the hardest law schools to get into in the US:

  1. Yale University, with an acceptance rate of 6.9%
  2. Stanford University, with an acceptance rate of 8.7%
  3. Harvard University, with an acceptance rate of 12.9%
  4. The University of Pennsylvania, with an acceptance rate of 14.6%
  5. The University of Virginia, with an acceptance rate of 15.3%

4. What LSAT Score Do I Need To Get Into Law School?

Your LSAT score depends on which law school you want to get into. If you want to get into one of the top law schools in the US, you need at least a 172. The higher your score, the better. However, if you want to go to a non-Ivy League law school, a score of at least 157 is needed.

Final Thoughts

Deciding and applying to law schools can be very stressful and intimidating. Remember that looking for the right law school for you is the most important thing. Hopefully, this article has helped you decide which law school you should apply to.

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