Discover the Best Law Schools in the US This 2024

The United States is home to several world-renowned law schools, making it one of the premier destinations for those aspiring to earn a law degree. The best law schools in the US produce Juris Doctor (JD) graduates, typically completed in three years for full-time students or four years for part-time students.

The JD curriculum is based on the British common law system, which isn’t universally applied, so international students may need to complete additional courses or exams to practice law in their home countries. The US legal system is composed of judicial, regulatory, and governmental bodies that collaborate to enforce laws at the federal, state, and local levels. Each state has its own government, which holds legal and administrative authority within its borders.

In this blog, we’ll be providing the 2024 US News and World Report’s best law schools in the US—as well as a rundown of their tuition costs, programs offered, requirements, and career prospects within the legal field.

• What Are the Best Law Schools in the US This 2024?
• What Is a Juris Doctor Degree?
• How Many Years Is Law School in the US?
• What Are the Job Prospects for a Juris Doctor Degree?
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

What Are the Best Law Schools in the US this 2024?

The following are considered the best law schools in the US because of their degree programs, networking opportunities, and employment prospects after graduation:

1. Stanford Law School

Median LSAT score: 173

Average tuition cost: $74,500

Acceptance rate: 6.25%

Founded in 1893, Stanford Law School has become one of the world’s leading law schools.

Stanford offers three types of joint degree programs:

• JD/Master’s
• JD/MD
• JD/PhD

This is applicable across 21 different subject areas. The school also provides four advanced degree programs:

• Master of Laws
• Stanford Program in International Legal Studies
• Master of Legal Studies
• Doctor of the Science of Law

Stanford Law School collaborates closely with the Mills Legal Clinic, which comprises 11 clinics where students gain hands-on experience working on real cases in areas such as:

• criminal defense
• environmental law
• immigrants’ rights
• religious liberty

All clinics are led by faculty members. The school also established the Law and Policy Lab to encourage students to engage in public policy. Under faculty supervision, students advise clients on a variety of issues, including energy and environmental policy, education, and copyright and patent reform.

Notable alumni include William Rehnquist, who served on the US Supreme Court for 33 years, 19 of which he was chief justice; and Sandra Day O’Connor who became the first female US Supreme Court justice after receiving an appointment from President Ronald Reagan.

2. Yale Law School

Median LSAT score: 175

Average tuition cost: $74,044

Acceptance rate: 5.60%

Founded in 1824, Yale Law School, part of Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, is consistently ranked as one of the best law schools in the US. This prestigious institution earns its top spot due to its outstanding faculty, employment outcomes, and abundant research opportunities.

Yale Law School emphasizes a hands-on approach to legal education, offering small classes that create a strong connection between students and faculty. Their commitment to education extends to a holistic grading system that encourages deeper learning.

The three-year JD program typically enrolls around 200 students per class. Yale operates on a unique grading system where students are not judged solely by traditional academic grades. The curriculum places a strong emphasis on government service, and the extensive clinical programs allow students to tackle real-world legal issues.

Approximately 9% of graduates pursue academic careers within five years of graduation, and over 80% of students participate in clinical activities before they graduate.

Notable alumni include Jane Matilda Bolin who was the first African American woman in the U.S. to become a judge; and former U.S. President Bill Clinton.

3. University of Chicago Law School

Median LSAT score: 173

Average tuition cost: $77,960

Acceptance rate: 12.80%

The University of Chicago Law School, part of The University of Chicago in Illinois, was established in 1902. It offers JD programs, as well as degrees in:

• Master of Laws (LLM)
• Master of Studies in Law
• Doctor of Juridical Science

The law school provides a diverse programs, including:

• legal history law and economics
• international and comparative law
• law and philosophy

The law school is renowned for its judicial clerkship placements, with alumni making up a significant percentage of federal judicial clerks. Its publications include seven professional journals, such as The University of Chicago Law Review and The Chicago Journal of International Law—making it one of the best law schools in the US.

Approximately 60 student-run organizations operate under the Law Students Association, including chapters of the Federalist Society and the American Constitution Society for Law and Policy.

Notable alumni include Cyrus Amir-Mokri general counsel and managing director at JPMorgan Chase and Assistant Secretary for Financial Institutions at the U.S. Treasury Department; and Norton Clapp, president of Boy Scouts of America.

4. Harvard Law School

Median LSAT score: 174

Average tuition cost: $75,000

Acceptance rate: 9.5%

Harvard Law School offers the following degree programs:

• Juris Doctor (JD)
• Master of Laws (LLM)
• Doctor of the Science of Law (SJD)

These programs can be taken along with the option to pursue a joint law degree in fields such as:

• public health
• business
• urban planning

With over 400 courses, seminars, and reading groups available, many classes enroll fewer than 25 students, allowing for a more effective learning environment. This makes it one of the best law schools in the US. Courses range from:

• advertising law
• animal law
• criminal law
• critical race theory
• cyberlaw

Harvard Law School also offers a variety of clinical and pro bono programs, providing students with practical legal experience under the supervision of licensed attorneys. Its clinical programs offer students a hands-on approach to their education while making a positive impact on the lives of others.

Harvard Law provides 45 areas of interest for students to explore, offering a wide range of opportunities for students of all aspirations and backgrounds.

Harvard Law’s notable alumni include President Barack Obama; and Lloyd Blankfein, former CEO and Chairman of Goldman Sachs.

5. University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School

Median LSAT score: 172

Average tuition cost: $76,900

Acceptance rate: 9.9%

The University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, commonly known as Penn Carey Law or Penn Law, offers a range of degrees, including:

• Juris Doctor (JD)
• Master of Laws (LLM)
• Master of Comparative Laws (LLCM)
• Master in Law (ML)
• Doctor of the Science of Law (SJD)

Penn Carey Law provides a multidisciplinary approach to legal education, with over 20 joint and dual degree programs. Penn Carey Law also offers a cross-disciplinary education, allowing students to take courses from other graduate schools within the university. With a wide variety of courses to choose from, students can tailor their education to suit their individual goals and interests. This makes it one of the best law schools in the US.

The school emphasizes practical skills through clinics, externships, and public interest initiatives. It is home to several academic centers and institutes, and its law library holds over 1 million volumes.

Notable alumni include Mark Yudof, president of the University of California system; and Caroline Burnham Kilgore, the first woman to graduate from Penn with a law degree. She also argued for a woman’s right to vote before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

6. Columbia Law School

Median LSAT score: 173

Average tuition cost: $81,300

Acceptance rate: 12%

Columbia Law School offers a range of programs, including:

• Juris Doctor (JD)
• Master of Laws (LLM)
• Doctor of the Science of Law (SJD)
• Executive LLM programs

Students can also pursue dual and joint degrees in collaboration with other schools at the university, such as:

• Public Health
• Journalism
• Social Work
• Business

Columbia University also provides international programs that allow students to study abroad in countries like France and the Netherlands.

Consistently ranked among the best law schools, Columbia is particularly strong in:

• corporate law
• legal education
• commercial law

Columbia Law offers one of the largest summer programs in the country, the Leiden-Amsterdam summer program, which provides over a hundred students with real-world clinical experience. The combination of distinguished faculty, research and clinical opportunities, and a comprehensive curriculum all work together to advance your law career.

Notable alumni include President Franklin Roosevelt and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who was famous for fighting against gender discrimination and unified the liberal block of the US Supreme Court .

7. New York University School of Law

Median LSAT score: 172

Average tuition cost: $80,000

Acceptance rate: 15.65%

NYU School of Law offers a JD program for undergraduate students, along with dual JD degrees in fields such as:

• international law
• economics
• history
• philosophy
• politics
• French studies

Numerous graduate programs are also available, including dual LLM degrees in partnership with other institutions like the National University of Singapore.

NYU Law offers over 40 clinics and externships, such as:

• Center for Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
•  Center for Environmental, Energy, and Land Use Law

These provide students with valuable real-world legal experience.

Students can also take advantage of study abroad opportunities through NYU Law Abroad in Buenos Aires and Paris. NYU’s School of Law is particularly renowned for its strengths in the fields of:

• business and corporate law
• international law
• environmental law
• criminal law

In total, students can choose from 16 areas of study.

NYU School of Law also offers a unique Lawyering Program for first-year students, allowing them to engage in real-world scenarios. Through this program, students develop critical skills such as negotiation, case analysis, and both informal and formal trial advocacy–making it one of the best law schools in the US.

Notable alumni include John J. Creedon, Former CEO and chairman of MetLife; and Roberta Karmel, Centennial Professor of Law at Brooklyn Law School and first female Commissioner of the SEC.

What Is a Juris Doctor Degree?

A Juris Doctor (JD) degree is a professional degree required to practice law. To enter a JD program, you need to have completed your bachelor’s degree, but a master’s degree is not required.

Once you earn your JD from an American Bar Association (ABA)-approved law school, you can obtain your license to practice law by passing the bar exam. However, in four states—California, Virginia, Vermont, and Washington—aspiring lawyers can take the bar exam without attending law school, provided they complete an apprenticeship with a licensed attorney or judge.

The bar exam generally spans two days. On the first day, you’ll take the Multistate Bar Exam (MBE), which tests your knowledge in areas such as:

• torts
• contracts
• criminal law
• real property
• constitutional law
• evidence

On the second day, you’ll draft essays on various legal topics. In addition to demonstrating your legal competence, you’ll need to undergo a background check to verify your character, as required by the American Bar Association.

How Many Years Is Law School in the US?

On average, it takes three years to earn a Juris Doctor degree if you attend law school full-time. If you attend part-time, the program typically takes between four and five years to complete.

As a first-year law student (1L) in the US, you will likely take foundational courses such as legal writing, contracts, torts, criminal law, and constitutional law, among others.

In your second year (2L), you’ll have more opportunities to engage in activities like Law Review, Moot Court, and other extracurriculars that offer valuable hands-on experience. Since most 2L students begin searching for legal internships between their second and third years, gaining practical experience during this time is crucial. Many of these internships can lead to full-time job offers after graduation.

In your third year (3L), you’ll likely choose electives such as international law, immigration law, antitrust law, or intellectual property law. Third-year students typically focus on securing employment and preparing for the bar exam.

What Are the Job Prospects for a Juris Doctor Degree?

Most students earn a Juris Doctor to practice law. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the demand for legal professionals in the US is expected to grow by 10 percent over the next decade. In 2023, the average salary of lawyers is $145,760.

Based on the figures, it’s a lucrative career. While many lawyers work in law firms, an increasing number of corporations rely on in-house legal departments to manage and reduce their legal costs.

In general, your salary will depend on a variety of factors, including your level of experience, your location, and both the size and type of law firm or government office you work for.

If you’re wondering if there are other career options outside of legal practice—yes! You can do so much more with a Juris Doctor degree. Some fields you can consider are:

• Accounting
• Human Resource
• Corporate
• Academe
• Consultancy
• Insurance
• Entrepreneurship

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do I need to take the LSAT to apply for a law school?

While some law schools have begun accepting the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) like the Albany Law School, Vermont Law and Graduate School and American University Washington College of Law for admission—most still require the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), especially the Ivies.

The LSAT assesses skills essential for success in law school, such as analyzing arguments, making deductions, reading strategically, and understanding formal logic.

The LSAT is usually offered four times a year at testing centers approved by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) across the country. Due to limited slots, it’s advisable to register early.

2. Can I work while taking up law school?

Generally speaking, yes. However, it would take you longer than the typical 3 years to complete your degree.

3. What’s the typical reading coursework for L1s?

First-year law students often report reading an average of 50 to 75 pages a day due to the “case study method” used by many law schools. This approach involves studying jurisprudence to understand current legal principles.

Takeaways

• The US is home to several world-renowned law schools, making it one of the premier destinations for those aspiring to earn a law degree.
• Some of the best law schools in the US are the following: Stanford Law, Yale Law, UChicago Law, Harvard Law, UPenn Carey Law, Columbia Law, and NYU Law.
• Want to apply to the best law schools in the US? We got you. At AdmissionSight, we have more than ten years of experience helping students perfect their application to their dream schools.