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2024 Best Law Schools

167 Colleges in the United States
36,216 Law Degrees Awarded
$64,466 Avg Early-Career Salary
Ranked #28 in popularity, law is one of the most sought-after degree programs in the nation. This makes choosing the right school a hard decision.

College Factual looked at 167 colleges and universities when compiling its 2024 Best Law Schools ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 36,216 degrees in law to qualified students.

What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Law School

Best Law Schools The law program you select can have a big impact on your future. That's why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Law rankings. We derive our Best Overall Law School rankings by rolling up our degree-level rankings after weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each school.

In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.

Law Rankings by Degree Level

Doctor's Degrees in Law

The law school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we've developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of the Best Law Schools. You can also filter this list by location to find schools closer to you.

In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.

More information on how we come up with our rankings can be found here: College Factual's Data Methodology.


 

Best Schools for Law in the United States

The schools below may not offer all types of law degrees so you may want to filter by degree level first. However, they are great for the degree levels they do offer. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Top Schools in Law

1
UPenn crest
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
258 Law Degrees Awarded
$186,571 Median Starting Salary

Any student pursuing a degree in law needs to look into University of Pennsylvania. UPenn is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Philadelphia. A Best Colleges rank of #4 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UPenn is a great university overall.

There were about 258 law students who graduated with this degree at UPenn in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the law major at University of Pennsylvania earn $122,105 more than the average college grad in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in law from University of Pennsylvania

2
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
327 Law Degrees Awarded
$160,390 Median Starting Salary

Every student pursuing a degree in law has to check out University of California - Berkeley. Located in the medium-sized city of Berkeley, UC Berkeley is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #18 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UC Berkeley is a great university overall.

There were about 327 law students who graduated with this degree at UC Berkeley in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the law major at University of California - Berkeley earn $95,924 above the typical graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in law from University of California - Berkeley

3
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
296 Law Degrees Awarded
6.1% Growth in Graduates

Northwestern University is a good option for students interested in a degree in law. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #5 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Northwestern is a great university overall.

There were about 296 law students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern in the most recent year we have data available. Law degree recipients from Northwestern University receive an earnings boost of approximately $122,728 over the average income of law majors.

More information about a degree in law from Northwestern University

4
Harvard crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
594 Law Degrees Awarded
4.0% Growth in Graduates

Harvard University is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a degree in law. Located in the midsize city of Cambridge, Harvard is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #6 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Harvard is a great university overall.

There were approximately 594 law students who graduated with this degree at Harvard in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the law degree program at Harvard University make $119,841 above the typical college grad with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in law from Harvard University

5
Georgetown crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
672 Law Degrees Awarded
$165,914 Median Starting Salary

Georgetown is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Washington. A Best Colleges rank of #15 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Georgetown is a great university overall.

There were about 672 law students who graduated with this degree at Georgetown in the most recent year we have data available. Law degree recipients from Georgetown University receive an earnings boost of around $101,448 above the typical income of law graduates.

More information about a degree in law from Georgetown University

6
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
212 Law Degrees Awarded
3.8% Growth in Graduates

UChicago is a large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Chicago. A Best Colleges rank of #2 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UChicago is a great university overall.

There were about 212 law students who graduated with this degree at UChicago in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the law program at University of Chicago get $116,540 more than the standard graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in law from University of Chicago

7
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
460 Law Degrees Awarded
7.0% Growth in Graduates

Columbia is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of New York. A Best Colleges rank of #14 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Columbia is a great university overall.

There were approximately 460 law students who graduated with this degree at Columbia in the most recent data year. Law degree recipients from Columbia University in the City of New York receive an earnings boost of about $128,896 above the typical income of law graduates.

More information about a degree in law from Columbia University in the City of New York

8
NYU crest
New York University
New York, NY
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
466 Law Degrees Awarded
$189,685 Median Starting Salary

NYU is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the city of New York. This university ranks 4th out of 142 colleges for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were about 466 law students who graduated with this degree at NYU in the most recent data year. Law degree recipients from New York University earn a boost of approximately $125,219 above the average earnings of law majors.

More information about a degree in law from New York University

9
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, CA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
184 Law Degrees Awarded
1.1% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large suburb of Stanford, Stanford is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #3 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Stanford is a great university overall.

There were approximately 184 law students who graduated with this degree at Stanford in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the law degree program at Stanford University earn $87,108 above the standard college grad with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in law from Stanford University

10
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
340 Law Degrees Awarded
5.3% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large city of Boston, Suffolk is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population. This university ranks 16th out of 63 schools for overall quality in the state of Massachusetts.

There were approximately 340 law students who graduated with this degree at Suffolk in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the law program report average early career earnings of $56,355.

More information about a degree in law from Suffolk University

11
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
318 Law Degrees Awarded
0.9% Growth in Graduates

Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University of Virginia is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 63 colleges for overall quality in the state of Virginia.

There were about 318 law students who graduated with this degree at University of Virginia in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the law degree program at University of Virginia - Main Campus get $121,244 above the average college graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in law from University of Virginia - Main Campus

12
Vanderbilt crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
192 Law Degrees Awarded
5.2% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large city of Nashville, Vanderbilt is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #19 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Vanderbilt is a great university overall.

There were about 192 law students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt in the most recent data year. Those law students who get their degree from Vanderbilt University receive $67,827 more than the standard law student.

More information about a degree in law from Vanderbilt University

13
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
363 Law Degrees Awarded
8.5% Growth in Graduates

Located in the midsize city of Ann Arbor, U-M is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 57 schools for overall quality in the state of Michigan.

There were approximately 363 law students who graduated with this degree at U-M in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the law program at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor get $81,819 above the typical college graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in law from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

14
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
193 Law Degrees Awarded
2.1% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Los Angeles, USC is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #11 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means USC is a great university overall.

There were approximately 193 law students who graduated with this degree at USC in the most recent year we have data available. Law degree recipients from University of Southern California get an earnings boost of about $57,210 over the typical income of law graduates.

More information about a degree in law from University of Southern California

15
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
243 Law Degrees Awarded
3.3% Growth in Graduates

WUSTL is a large private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Saint Louis. A Best Colleges rank of #17 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means WUSTL is a great university overall.

There were roughly 243 law students who graduated with this degree at WUSTL in the most recent data year. Those law students who get their degree from Washington University in St Louis make $26,139 more than the average law student.

More information about a degree in law from Washington University in St Louis

16
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
183 Law Degrees Awarded
$87,638 Median Starting Salary

Notre Dame is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Notre Dame. A Best Colleges rank of #20 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Notre Dame is a great university overall.

There were roughly 183 law students who graduated with this degree at Notre Dame in the most recent year we have data available. Those law students who get their degree from University of Notre Dame earn $23,172 more than the average law grad.

More information about a degree in law from University of Notre Dame

17
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
172 Law Degrees Awarded
5.2% Growth in Graduates

UW Seattle is a fairly large public university located in the city of Seattle. This university ranks 1st out of 51 schools for overall quality in the state of Washington.

There were approximately 172 law students who graduated with this degree at UW Seattle in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the law program at University of Washington - Seattle Campus earn $5,142 above the average graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in law from University of Washington - Seattle Campus

18
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, GA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
281 Law Degrees Awarded
0.4% Growth in Graduates

Emory is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Atlanta. This university ranks 2nd out of 68 schools for overall quality in the state of Georgia.

There were approximately 281 law students who graduated with this degree at Emory in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the law major at Emory University make $9,930 above the typical graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in law from Emory University

19
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
342 Law Degrees Awarded
8.8% Growth in Graduates

UCLA is a fairly large public university located in the city of Los Angeles. This university ranks 5th out of 168 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were about 342 law students who graduated with this degree at UCLA in the most recent year we have data available. Those law students who get their degree from University of California - Los Angeles make $27,584 more than the typical law graduate.

More information about a degree in law from University of California - Los Angeles

20
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
565 Law Degrees Awarded
24.4% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Washington, GWU is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 8 colleges for overall quality in the state of District of Columbia.

There were approximately 565 law students who graduated with this degree at GWU in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the law major at George Washington University get $12,879 more than the standard college grad with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in law from George Washington University

21
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
406 Law Degrees Awarded
2.2% Growth in Graduates

Fordham U is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Bronx. This university ranks 10th out of 142 colleges for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were about 406 law students who graduated with this degree at Fordham U in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the law degree program at Fordham University earn $81,615 more than the typical graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in law from Fordham University

22
Temple crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
239 Law Degrees Awarded
12.1% Growth in Graduates

Temple is a very large public university located in the city of Philadelphia. This university ranks 11th out of 109 colleges for overall quality in the state of Pennsylvania.

There were about 239 law students who graduated with this degree at Temple in the most recent year we have data available. Graduates who receive their degree from the law program earn about $63,481 for their early career.

More information about a degree in law from Temple University

23
Boston U crest
Boston University
Boston, MA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
282 Law Degrees Awarded
19.5% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Boston, Boston U is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. This university ranks 6th out of 63 schools for overall quality in the state of Massachusetts.

There were about 282 law students who graduated with this degree at Boston U in the most recent year we have data available. Those law students who get their degree from Boston University make $43,603 more than the standard law grad.

More information about a degree in law from Boston University

24
SCU crest
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
217 Law Degrees Awarded
4.6% Growth in Graduates

SCU is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university located in the city of Santa Clara. This university ranks 12th out of 168 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were roughly 217 law students who graduated with this degree at SCU in the most recent year we have data available. Those law students who get their degree from Santa Clara University receive $10,263 more than the standard law graduate.

More information about a degree in law from Santa Clara University

25
U Miami crest
University of Miami
Coral Gables, FL
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
344 Law Degrees Awarded
$59,299 Median Starting Salary

U Miami is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Coral Gables. This university ranks 2nd out of 77 colleges for overall quality in the state of Florida.

There were about 344 law students who graduated with this degree at U Miami in the most recent year we have data available. Soon after graduating, law degree recipients generally earn about $59,299 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a degree in law from University of Miami

Rest of the Top Best Law Schools

Honorable Mentions

Here are some additional great schools for Law students that almost earned our Best Law Schools award.

Rank College Location
26 University of California - Hastings College of Law San Francisco, CA
27 Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School Lansing, MI
28 University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WI
29 Widener University Chester, PA
30 The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX
31 Southern Methodist University Dallas, TX
32 The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Knoxville, TN
33 Loyola Marymount University Los Angeles, CA

Law by Region

View the Best Law Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Other U.S. Territories
Great Lakes

View All Rankings >

Law is one of 4 different types of Legal Professions programs to choose from.

Law Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
Law 36,216

View All Law Concentrations >

Majors Similar to Law

Related Major Annual Graduates
Legal Support Services 11,545
Legal Research 6,874
Non-Professional General Legal Studies 4,407
Legal Professions (Other) 2,013

View All Law Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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