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Law Schools in Kentucky: List + Admissions Stats

September 24, 2024
5 min read
Contents

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Reviewed by:

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

Reviewed: 2/26/24

Kentucky is home to three great law schools! To learn more about these law schools and what they can offer you, read on.

Kentucky is known for its rich cultural traditions, horse racing, caves, and, of course, fried chicken! For aspiring law students, Kentucky is also home to several law schools that offer robust programs, vibrant communities, and collaborative environments.

If you’re considering attending law school in this state, this guide will go over the best law schools in Kentucky and give you an overview of their important admission statistics and program offerings!

Top Law Schools In Kentucky

There are three law schools in Kentucky with varying rankings and admission statistics. As you prepare your law school applications, consider these median scores to ensure you’re a competitive applicant:

Law School U.S. News Ranking Acceptance Rate Median LSAT Median GPA
University of Kentucky #60 60% 155 3.68
University of Louisville #99 57.6% 156 3.68
Northern Kentucky University #149 65.28% 152 3.19

Source: US News

There are three law schools in the state with varying rankings and admission statistics. As you prepare your law school applications, consider these median scores to ensure you’re a competitive applicant:

The University of Kentucky

The University of Kentucky

Source: University of Kentucky College of Law

Law School U.S. News Ranking Acceptance Rate Median LSAT Median GPA Bar Passage Rate
University of Kentucky #60 60% 155 3.68 82.89%

The University of Kentucky is the best law school in the state. It has one legal clinic that offers students an exceptional introduction to the realities of legal practice to ensure they’re practice-ready. 

Students participating in this clinic gain extensive experience in substantive and procedural law, legal research, writing, analysis, interviewing, counseling, investigating, and drafting legal documents!

The University of Louisville

The University of Louisville

Source: University of Louisville

Law School U.S. News Ranking Acceptance Rate Median LSAT Median GPA Bar Passage Rate
University of Louisville #99 57.6% 156 3.68 65.59%

Many of the University of Louisville’s graduates work at large organizations, such as Ford, Amazon, and UPS,  and all of their students have the opportunity to pursue summer internships at them! Speaking of opportunities, this law school also offers four legal clinics to its students.


Along with these clinics, students have access to diverse externships, internships, and study-abroad opportunities. All of these pursuits give students access to attorneys and judges to provide them with invaluable training that goes beyond the textbooks to ensure they hone their lawyering skills before graduation.

Northern Kentucky University

Northern Kentucky University

Source: Northern Kentucky University

Law School U.S. News Ranking Acceptance Rate Median LSAT Median GPA Bar Passage Rate
Northern Kentucky University #149 65.28% 152 3.19 69.91%

The final law school in Kentucky is NKU. With the motto “learn, lead, excel,” this university is dedicated to preparing for the future of law. NKU offers a distinctive legal education designed for its students to transform into next-generation lawyers.

With a commitment to community involvement, all NKU students are required to complete 30 hours of pro bono work, which allows them to contribute to the Kentucky community and strengthen their resumes! NKU offers different pro bono projects each year to represent underrepresented clients.

Our best tip for getting into a Kentucky law program is law school admissions counseling. With our expert counselors with 15+ years of experience, you'll set yourself apart from the competition.

Tips to Get into Law Schools in Kentucky

To get into law schools in Kentucky, aim for good grades and a high LSAT score, write a strong personal statement, gather solid recommendation letters, and participate in relevant activities. Also, make sure to use pre-law advising services, visit campuses, and prepare for interviews to increase your chances. Let’s take a closer look at each of these tips. 

  • Research Schools: Spend time researching different law schools in Kentucky to find the ones that align with your academic and career goals.
  • GPA and LSAT Score: Law schools typically consider undergraduate GPA and LSAT scores heavily in their admissions decisions. Aim for a competitive GPA and prepare thoroughly for the LSAT to achieve a high score.
  • Personal Statement: Write a compelling personal statement that highlights your passion for law, relevant experiences, and reasons for wanting to attend law school in Kentucky.
  • Letters of Recommendation: Secure strong letters of recommendation from professors, employers, or other professionals who can attest to your abilities and character.
  • Extracurricular Activities: Participate in extracurricular activities, internships, or volunteer work that demonstrate your leadership, communication skills, and commitment to service.
  • Pre-Law Advising: Take advantage of pre-law advising services offered by your undergraduate institution or other organizations to receive guidance on the law school application process.
  • Application Timelines: Be mindful of application deadlines and submit your materials well in advance to ensure they are complete and error-free.
  • Visit Campuses: If possible, visit the campuses of law schools you are interested in to get a sense of the environment and speak with current students and faculty members.
  • Tailor Applications: Customize your application materials for each law school you apply to, emphasizing how you would contribute to their academic community and why you are specifically interested in attending.
  • Interview Preparation: If interviews are part of the admissions process, prepare thoroughly by researching the school, practicing common interview questions, and presenting yourself professionally.

By following these tips and putting forth your best effort in the application process, you can enhance your chances of getting into law schools in Kentucky.

How to Find More Law Schools Near Kentucky

If you need help looking for a law school near Kentucky, you can check out our free tool below; you can use it to filter your choices by region. If you also need help deciding which law school to attend, we offer a free quiz!

FAQs: Kentucky Law Schools

For any unanswered inquiries, here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about Kentucky law schools.

1. How Many Law Schools In Kentucky?

There are three law schools in the state of Kentucky: the University of Kentucky, the University of Louisville, and Northern Kentucky University. 

2. What Is the Best Law School In Kentucky?

The University of Kentucky is the best law school in the state; it has the highest overall rankings and bar passage rate!

3. Is the University of Kentucky a Good Law School?

Yes, the University of Kentucky is considered to be a good law school that can offer students the skills and knowledge required to thrive in the legal field. This school has been around for around 115 years and has perfected its legal programs to meet the changing needs of today’s legal scene! 

4. What LSAT Score Do I Need for the University of Kentucky?

The median LSAT score of previously admitted students is 157, which is what students hoping to get into this school should aim for. Considering the national LSAT average is around 152, a 157 should not be too challenging to obtain! The other two law schools in the state have lower LSAT medians for students with low LSAT scores. 

5. What Kentucky Law School Is the Hardest to Get Accepted Into?

The University of Kentucky is the most selective law school in the state. It has the highest admission expectations and lowest acceptance rate.

6. Is Chase Law School Good?

While Chase Law School, part of Northern Kentucky University, is a low-ranking school, it still offers its students valuable resources that can help them kickstart their legal careers. Chase students gain valuable clinic and pro bono experience to make them competitive employees and are taught by distinguished faculty members. 

It is also the only law school in the state to offer a part-time JD program, making it the best option for busy students!

Final Thoughts

Knowing where you want to attend law school is a big first step toward deciding your top choices! If you know Kentucky is the perfect place to begin your legal journey; this guide should help you confirm your decision and choose the right school to meet your personal and professional goals!

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