20 Best Law Schools In The US

Defensive, loud, quick to argue and a know-it-all - to anyone else, these may sound like insults, but to a lawyer, these are some of the most sought-after traits! Saul Goodman, Harvey Spectre, Denny Crane, Annalise Keating and Alicia Florrick - if you grew up watching any of these characters fight their way to victory, a law degree may just be the right path for you. Kickstart your career with a degree from one of the best law schools in the US. 

University of Chicago School of Law

Location: Chicago, Illinois 
Employment rate: 99% 
Tuition fees: $55,000 - $60,000

The School of Law at the University of Chicago, is one of the best law schools in the US and boasts an impressive list of graduates, including senators, former FBI directors and authors. Former president of the US, Barack Obama, was a faculty member at this prestigious law school. The school teaches students a range of disciplines, such as legal history, law and business, law and philosophy, law and economics and more. If you are planning to shift to the city for studies then check out these student housing options in Chicago.

Duke University Law

Location: Raleigh-Durham-Cary, North Carolina
Employment rate: 98% 
Tuition fees: $60,000 - $65,000

Founded in the 1850s, Duke University’s Law department is among the top law schools in the US. The law school offers students a range of specialities to choose from, including criminal law, environmental law and health care law. Aside from being one of the best law schools in the US, the Duke school of law is also known for its dedication to diversity in education, promoting clubs such as Women in Law, Black Law Students Association, an Anti-Racism Project and more. 

Columbia University School of Law

Location: New York City, New York
Employment rate: 90-95% 
Tuition fees: $60,000 - $70,000

The Columbia University School of Law is not only one of the oldest, but also one of the best US law schools. Their curriculum offers dual and joint degrees that use a cutting-edge approach to teach their students everything they need to know. The university allows students to specialize in 14 different areas and has a great board of faculty that teaches its students. Columbia Law is also the alma mater of legendary former Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg. 

Not sold on the US? Maybe our blog on why you should study at a US university will change your mind! 

Cornell University Law School

Location: Ithaca, New York
Employment rate: 95% 
Tuition fees: $70,000 - $75,000

With only six specialty areas offered by the university, the Cornell University Law School may be smaller than most, but is still known for being one of the best US law schools. Cornell University’s campus is also one of the prettiest in the US, located in a city filled with gorges, and the campus is home to waterfalls, lakes and parks for students to enjoy whenever they need to de-stress after a tiring week of classes. 

Yale Law School

Location: New Haven, Connecticut
Employment rate: 99% 
Tuition fees: $55,000 - $60,000

Since its inception in 1810, the Yale Law School has become one of the best law schools in America. The university has produced a long list of notable alumni including US presidents, US senators and 10 supreme court justices. The Yale Law School is also ver generous to its students, with over 76% of their student population receiving financial aid based off of their needs. 

Want to know when to apply? Here’s a guide to all the US intakes. 

University of Michigan Law

Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Employment rate: 98% 
Tuition fees: $65,000 - $70,000

Here’s a fun fact for you - the University of Michigan’s law department is not only one of the largest law schools in the US and but was also the first to admit women into their program. Now if that doesn't guarantee it a spot on the list of the best law schools in the US, we don’t know what will. Students at the university will have access to a variety of different law clinics that will help them study disciplines such as advocacy, human trafficking, child welfare and more. 

University of Virginia School of Law

Location: Charlottesville, Virginia
Employment rate: 95-98% 
Tuition fees: $45,000 - $55,000

The University of Virginia School of Law, was founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819, making it the second-oldest continuously running law school in the US (after Harvard). One of the best law schools in the US, The Princeton Review consistently places UV Law in the top 5 schools for Faculty, Federal Clerkships, and Career Prospects, consistently ranking it one of the top 10 law schools in the US.

University of Pennsylvania: Penn Carey Law

Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Employment rate: 97% 
Tuition fees: $45,000 - $50,000

The University of Pennsylvania: Penn Carey Law is an Ivy League law school and that has a very comprehensive approach to teaching law. The university offers 35 dual degree programs to students that allows them to take an interdisciplinary approach to learning law, so they have a more holistic overview of how law functions in society. The graduating classes at Penn Carey are known for their diversity, with almost 50% of their students coming from minority groups. 

Harvard University Law School

Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
Employment rate: 90-92% 
Tuition fees: $65,000 - $75,000

Established in 1817, Harvard Law School has produced a number of notable alumni including 16 different Supreme Court Justices, a couple of presidents, a couple of US attorney generals and even 2 Presidents. With a such a star-studded alumni list, its safe to say the Harvard has one of the best law schools in the US. Their public health program is particularly sought after given that Massachusetts is a hub for medical advancement. 

University of California Berkeley Law

Location: Berkeley, California
Employment rate: 96% 
Tuition fees: $60,000 - $75,000

One of the best law schools in the US, Berkeley Law is known for its diverse student body and experiential learning opportunities. With a competitive admissions process and a non-lettering grading system that promotes collaboration rather than competition, Berkeley Law attracts students who are interested in real-world applications of their legal education. Over a third of graduates go on to clerkships, private practice, and government positions, and the school also encourages its students to participate in pro bono community service work

NYU School of Law

Location: New York City, New York
Employment rate: 98% 
Tuition fees: $65,000 - $75,000

NYU Law is one of the best law schools in the US and is located in the historic Greenwich Village neighbourhood of New York City. Founded in 1835, it is the oldest law school in the city and has a reputation for excellence. With a highly regarded curriculum that focuses on law and business and an interdisciplinary approach to legal studies, NYU Law offers more than 16 areas of legal study and 80 student organizations. In addition, the school has more than 30 centers that focus on economics, politics, theory, and tax and international law. With more than 100 faculty members, NYU Law is a highly respected institution for those seeking a top-quality legal education.

Vanderbilt University Law School

Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Employment rate: 96% 
Tuition fees: $60,000 - $65,000

Vanderbilt University School of Law is one of the best law schools in the US, with a reputation for excellence that spans over 145 years. Vanderbilt is a relatively small and highly competitive school, situated in the heart of Music City and near some of the best country music venues in the country. Vanderbilt offers a top-tier faculty and a range of academic centres and programs. Students at Vanderbilt have the option of earning a dual degree in fields such as finance, business, medicine, or divinity, or customizing their own dual degree. 

Stanford Law School

Location: Stanford, California
Employment rate: 96% 
Tuition fees: $45,000 - $50,000

Founded in 1893, Stanford Law is one of the best law schools in the US and is known for its flexible and customizable approach to legal education. With a rich history that includes lectures by former President Benjamin Harrison, Stanford Law offers a range of immersive legal clinics and the opportunity for students to design their own dual degree or develop a new course. With 11 immersive legal clinics to choose from, including Community Law, Environmental Law, Immigrants’ Rights, and Criminal Defense, Stanford Law is an excellent choice for those seeking a well-rounded legal education."

UCLA Law

Location: Los Angeles, California
Employment rate: 90-95% 
Tuition fees: $50,000 - $55,000

UCLA Law is one of the best law schools in the US and is known for its inclusive curriculum, which includes studies in Critical Race Studies, Human Rights, Immigration Law, and Entertainment Law, among others. The school is home to several centres, projects, and institutes dedicated to legal issues ranging from trial advocacy and climate and environment to entertainment and more. One of the more recognizable institutes at UCLA Law is the Williams Institute, which is devoted to addressing legal bias against the LGBTQ+ community. In 2021, the school received a $4 million chair endowment in Native American Law and Policy, which is intended to recruit faculty and advance the legal study of Native American Law.

University of Texas School of Law

Location: Austin, Texas
Employment rate: 90-94% 
Tuition fees: $30,000 - $45,000

Considered one of the best US law schools and the premier law school in the state, the Texas School of Law is known for its affordable tuition and strong representation of diversity. The experiential clinics offered in areas such as domestic violence, immigration, civil rights, and environmental law give students the opportunity to work closely with faculty and clients. Each career counsellor at this school is a licensed attorney with connections to private firms, judicial clerkships and internships, government agencies, and more, providing students with valuable resources as they explore their career options.

Don’t want your grades to take a hit? Our guide to the US grading system has got you covered!

Georgetown Law

Location: Washington DC
Employment rate: 99% 
Tuition fees: $70,000 - $75,000

Georgetown Law is not only one of the best US law school, but also one of the best located - situated near the Supreme Court and US Capitol. With a long history dating back to 1870, Georgetown Law offers more than 500 courses covering a wide range of legal topics, from business to technology and everything in between. Each term, the school conducts the Supreme Court Moots through its Supreme Court Institute, and over 300 students participate in 19 separate clinics, providing valuable hands-on experience. 

Northwestern Pritzker School of Law

Location: Chicago, Illinois 
Employment rate: 97% 
Tuition fees: $45,000 - $50,000

A law degree from Northwestern Pritzker School of Law is highly respected and as the school is regarded as one of the best US law schools. With a strong emphasis on work experience in the admissions process, Pritzker School of Law attracts a diverse and experienced student body. Upon graduation, graduates join a global network of more than 18,000 lawyers spanning 90 countries. The school's curriculum offers seven concentrations and provides valuable practice experience through one of the nationally recognized 20 clinics operating in 12 centers of the Bluhm Legal Clinic. 

Boston University School of Law

Location: Boston, Massachusetts  
Employment rate: 98% 
Tuition fees: $40,000 - $45,000

Boston University School of Law is one of the best US law schools and has a strong foundation of excellence dating back to 1872. It is also one of the first law schools to admit women and minorities, and today, more than half of enrolled students identify as female, and 32% are students of color. With over 200 courses to choose from, taught by expert faculty on a wide range of legal issues, BU School of Law offers a well-rounded legal education. The Health Law and Intellectual Property programs at the school are particularly well respected and nationally recognized. If you're interested in pursuing a legal education in Boston, BU School of Law is an excellent choice.

Want to get a head start on your visa? Our US student visa and visa rejection reason blogs have all the informaiton you need. 

University of Georgia School of Law

Location: Athens, Georgia  
Employment rate: 97% 
Tuition fees: $15,000 - $35,000

The School of Law at the University of Georgia is one of the best law schools in the US and is located in the charming town of Athens, which was voted the South's best college town by Southern Living. With a board of faculty that has many Fulbright Scholars, American Law Institute Medal recipients, and five former Supreme Court judicial clerks, among others, the school offers a range of experiential learning opportunities. Students have access to ten faculty-led clinics and seven externships, covering areas such as veterans' legal issues, mediation, and family justice, among others. 

University of North Carolina School of Law

Location: Chapel Hill, North Carolina  
Employment rate: 99.5% 
Tuition fees: $18,000 - $36,000

Established in 1845, the UNC-CH School of Law is the oldest law school in the state and consistently ranks among the top 25 best law schools in the US. Led by a world-class faculty, the school offers over 100 internships, and ten different dual degrees. Over 40% of practising North Carolina lawyers are Carolina Law graduates, with many having their own private practices. The school has a diverse community, with more than half the population and faculty identifying as female. If you're interested in pursuing a legal education in North Carolina, the UNC-CH School of Law is an excellent choice.

That was our list of the 20 best law schools in the US! Law can be a tiring and tedious degree but just remember - the higher the effort, the higher the reward. Law continues to be one of the most lucrative professions in the world, so even if you’re spending your twenties pulling all-nighters in the library, you can rest assured knowing that it'll all be worth it. We hope you’ve found this blog helpful and we wish you all the best!