10 Highest-Ranked U.S. Law Schools

Aspiring lawyers and legal professionals seek the strongest law schools to gain rigorous training and improve career prospects. Selecting the right program can be challenging: reputation, curriculum, faculty, clinical opportunities, location and cost all matter. Whether you aim for corporate law, public interest, litigation, or a niche specialty, a degree from one of the top U.S. law schools can open significant doors.

Note: Rankings referenced here reflect placements in major U.S. law school lists for 2022–2023, including U.S. News and World Report.

10. University of Michigan

Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan

Year founded: 1817

Annual cost: $64,098

Number of students: 964

Acceptance rate: 10.6 percent

Bottom Line: University of Michigan

Michigan Law supports a Summer Start program that helps many incoming students transition smoothly into law school. The school encourages interdisciplinary study with dual-degree options such as law and business or law and natural resources. A required transnational law course complements international study opportunities at partner institutions in Japan, the Netherlands and Germany.

Students can join nearly 50 extracurricular groups, including sports and climbing teams, as well as multiple academic journals and publications. Practical and international options make Michigan a strong choice for students seeking breadth and hands-on experience.

Learn more about Michigan Law School.

9. University of California, Berkeley

Location: Berkeley, California

Year founded: 1894

Annual cost: $56,858

Number of students: 1,088

Acceptance rate: 13.7 percent

Bottom Line: University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley Law is notable for intellectual property and technology law, offering innovative courses—such as wine law—that reflect the region’s industries. From early in the program, students can tailor their course of study and participate in clinics, think tanks and many student-run publications.

Advanced students may gain placement in government and regulatory organizations through field placement programs, providing practical experience with agencies like the Federal Trade Commission.

Learn more about UC Berkeley Law School.

8. University of Virginia

Location: Charlottesville, Virginia

Year founded: 1819

Annual cost: $66,500

Number of students: 922

Acceptance rate: 9.7 percent

Bottom Line: University of Virginia

UVA Law emphasizes a broad legal education with opportunities for joint degrees and specialized study through centers like the Center for National Security Law and the Center for Oceans Law and Policy. The school offers around 60 student organizations and roughly 20 legal clinics, so students gain practical experience while building community.

Study-abroad options in countries such as New Zealand, Germany, Israel and the UK add an international dimension. Upper-level students may pursue joint degrees with French institutions and even prepare for foreign bar exams.

Learn more about Virginia Law School.

7. New York University

Location: New York City, New York

Year founded: 1835

Annual cost: $73,414

Number of students: 1,413

Acceptance rate: 14.5 percent

Bottom Line: New York University

NYU Law begins practical training immediately through a structured Lawyering Program that teaches core legal skills. In later years, students can work in more than 30 legal clinics and take advantage of numerous on-campus centers. The school supports almost 50 student organizations and offers robust international exchange options.

Learn more about New York University School of Law.

6. University of Pennsylvania (Carey)

Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Year founded: 1850

Annual cost: $70,042

Number of students: 824

Acceptance rate: 9.4 percent

Bottom Line: University of Pennsylvania (Carey)

Penn Law encourages interdisciplinary study: law students can take courses across the university and can often finish both a J.D. and an additional degree efficiently. The program emphasizes public service with a graduation requirement of at least 70 hours of pro bono work. Students also engage in clinics and a wide variety of organizations, from boxing groups to urban law reform initiatives.

Learn more about Penn Law School.

5. Harvard University

Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts

Year founded: 1817

Annual cost: $68,962

Number of students: 1,747

Acceptance rate: 6.9 percent

Bottom Line: Harvard University

Harvard Law is widely recognized as one of the nation’s most prestigious programs. It is among the oldest and largest law schools, with large J.D. class sizes divided into smaller sections for first-year courses. Harvard offers advanced degrees including the S.J.D. and LL.M., and its graduates traditionally achieve high bar passage rates and placement in influential legal positions.

Learn more about Harvard Law School.

4. Columbia University

Location: New York City, New York

Year founded: 1858

Annual cost: $76,088

Number of students: 1,293

Acceptance rate: 11.4 percent

Bottom Line: Columbia University

Columbia Law consistently ranks among the elite U.S. law schools and is especially well known for business and corporate law. The school maintains a strong network of alumni and offers extensive clinic, externship and internship opportunities, which support career placement at top law firms and institutions.

Learn more about Columbia Law School.

3. University of Chicago

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Year founded: 1902

Annual cost: $72,081

Number of students: 626

Acceptance rate: 11.9 percent

Bottom Line: University of Chicago

Chicago Law pioneered the modern J.D. and is known for applying social science perspectives to legal education. Its graduates frequently secure prestigious clerkships, judicial positions and roles at top firms. The school publishes influential journals, including longstanding reviews on the Supreme Court and law-and-economics scholarship.

Learn more about Chicago Law School.

2. Stanford University

Location: Palo Alto, California

Year founded: 1893

Annual cost: $66,396

Number of students: 577

Acceptance rate: 6.3 percent

Bottom Line: Stanford University

Stanford Law operates on a quarter system, allowing flexible cross-disciplinary study. The school limits enrollment in specializations to maintain small cohorts, with options in areas like environmental law, corporate governance, science and technology, and international economic law. Stanford graduates benefit from an influential alumni network and strong employment rates shortly after graduation.

Learn more about Stanford Law School.

1. Yale University

Location: New Haven, Connecticut

Year founded: 1824

Annual cost: $69,433

Number of students: 636

Acceptance rate: 4.1 percent

Bottom Line: Yale University

Yale Law emphasizes small class sizes and a flexible, nontraditional grading system that de-emphasizes first-term grades. Rather than prescribing concentrations, Yale allows students to design individualized programs of study and encourages early client representation through numerous legal clinics. Ambitious students can pursue combined degrees, such as a J.D./MBA, in an accelerated timeframe.

Learn more about Yale Law School.

Choosing the right law school depends on your goals: look for programs that offer the clinics, clinics, clinics, specializations and networks aligned with your interests and career aspirations. Consider cost, location, experiential learning opportunities and alumni placement when comparing top-ranked schools to find the best fit for your path in law.