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2024 Best Law Schools

167 Colleges in the United States
36,411 Law Degrees Awarded
$64,543 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. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 36,411 degrees in law during the 2021-2022 academic year.

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
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
264 Law Degrees Awarded
2.3% Growth in Graduates

Any student who is interested in law has to take a look at University of Pennsylvania. UPenn is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Philadelphia. A Best Colleges rank of #4 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UPenn is a great university overall.

There were approximately 264 law students who graduated with this degree at UPenn in the most recent year we have data available. Law degree recipients from University of Pennsylvania get an earnings boost of around $122,028 over the average income of law majors.

More information about a degree in law from University of Pennsylvania

2
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
359 Law Degrees Awarded
8.9% Growth in Graduates

Any student pursuing a degree in law has to look into University of California - Berkeley. Located in the midsize city of Berkeley, UC Berkeley is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #18 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UC Berkeley is a great university overall.

There were roughly 359 law students who graduated with this degree at UC Berkeley in the most recent data year. Those law students who get their degree from University of California - Berkeley receive $95,847 more than the standard law graduate.

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

3
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
290 Law Degrees Awarded
$187,194 Median Starting Salary

Northwestern University is a wonderful 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 schools nationwide means Northwestern is a great university overall.

There were about 290 law students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern in the most recent data year. Law degree recipients from Northwestern University receive an earnings boost of about $122,651 over the typical 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
611 Law Degrees Awarded
2.8% Growth in Graduates

Harvard University is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting a degree in law. Located in the 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 schools nationwide means Harvard is a great university overall.

There were roughly 611 law students who graduated with this degree at Harvard in the most recent data year. Law degree recipients from Harvard University get an earnings boost of approximately $119,764 over the typical income of law majors.

More information about a degree in law from Harvard University

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

Georgetown is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the 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 660 law students who graduated with this degree at Georgetown in the most recent data year. Those law students who get their degree from Georgetown University receive $101,371 more than the average law grad.

More information about a degree in law from Georgetown University

6
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
218 Law Degrees Awarded
2.8% Growth in Graduates

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

There were approximately 218 law students who graduated with this degree at UChicago in the most recent year we have data available. Law degree recipients from University of Chicago earn a boost of approximately $116,463 over the average income of law majors.

More information about a degree in law from University of Chicago

7
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
410 Law Degrees Awarded
$193,362 Median Starting Salary

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 410 law students who graduated with this degree at Columbia in the most recent year we have data available. Law degree recipients from Columbia University in the City of New York get an earnings boost of approximately $128,819 over the average income of law majors.

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

8
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
473 Law Degrees Awarded
1.5% Growth in Graduates

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

There were approximately 473 law students who graduated with this degree at NYU in the most recent data year. Those law students who get their degree from New York University earn $125,142 more than the standard law grad.

More information about a degree in law from New York University

9
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
190 Law Degrees Awarded
3.2% Growth in Graduates

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

There were roughly 190 law students who graduated with this degree at Stanford in the most recent year we have data available. Those law students who get their degree from Stanford University earn $87,031 more than the standard law grad.

More information about a degree in law from Stanford University

10
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
313 Law Degrees Awarded
$56,355 Median Starting Salary

Located in the 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 313 law students who graduated with this degree at Suffolk in the most recent data year. 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
327 Law Degrees Awarded
2.8% Growth in Graduates

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

There were about 327 law students who graduated with this degree at University of Virginia in the most recent year we have data available. Those law students who get their degree from University of Virginia - Main Campus make $121,167 more than the average law graduate.

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

12
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
178 Law Degrees Awarded
$132,293 Median Starting Salary

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

There were approximately 178 law students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt in the most recent data year. Law degree recipients from Vanderbilt University receive an earnings boost of about $67,750 over the average income of law majors.

More information about a degree in law from Vanderbilt University

13
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
326 Law Degrees Awarded
$146,285 Median Starting Salary

Located in the medium-sized 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 about 326 law students who graduated with this degree at U-M in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the law major at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor get $81,742 above the typical graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

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

14
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
213 Law Degrees Awarded
9.4% 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 colleges nationwide means USC is a great university overall.

There were about 213 law students who graduated with this degree at USC in the most recent data year. Those law students who get their degree from University of Southern California earn $57,133 more than the typical law student.

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

15
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
226 Law Degrees Awarded
$90,605 Median Starting Salary

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

There were roughly 226 law students who graduated with this degree at WUSTL in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the law program at Washington University in St Louis earn $26,062 above the typical college grad in this field shortly after graduation.

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

16
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
211 Law Degrees Awarded
13.3% Growth in Graduates

Notre Dame is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the 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 approximately 211 law students who graduated with this degree at Notre Dame in the most recent data year. Law degree recipients from University of Notre Dame get an earnings boost of around $23,095 over the average income of law majors.

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

17
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
157 Law Degrees Awarded
$69,608 Median Starting Salary

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

There were roughly 157 law students who graduated with this degree at UW Seattle in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the law degree program at University of Washington - Seattle Campus make $5,065 more than the typical college graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

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
245 Law Degrees Awarded
$74,396 Median Starting Salary

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 roughly 245 law students who graduated with this degree at Emory in the most recent data year. Those law students who get their degree from Emory University receive $9,853 more than the typical law graduate.

More information about a degree in law from Emory University

19
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
338 Law Degrees Awarded
$92,050 Median Starting Salary

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

There were approximately 338 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 earn $27,507 more than the standard law grad.

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

20
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
571 Law Degrees Awarded
1.1% Growth in Graduates

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

There were about 571 law students who graduated with this degree at GWU in the most recent data year. Those law students who get their degree from George Washington University receive $12,802 more than the average law graduate.

More information about a degree in law from George Washington University

21
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
400 Law Degrees Awarded
$146,081 Median Starting Salary

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

There were approximately 400 law students who graduated with this degree at Fordham U in the most recent year we have data available. Those law students who get their degree from Fordham University earn $81,538 more than the average law grad.

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
$63,481 Median Starting Salary

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

There were approximately 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 an average of $63,481 in their early career salary.

More information about a degree in law from Temple University

23
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
229 Law Degrees Awarded
$108,069 Median Starting Salary

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 colleges for overall quality in the state of Massachusetts.

There were about 229 law students who graduated with this degree at Boston U in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the law degree program at Boston University earn $43,526 above the standard graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

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
221 Law Degrees Awarded
1.8% Growth in Graduates

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

There were approximately 221 law students who graduated with this degree at SCU in the most recent data year. Law degree recipients from Santa Clara University earn a boost of approximately $10,186 above the average income of law graduates.

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
384 Law Degrees Awarded
10.4% Growth in Graduates

U Miami is a 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 approximately 384 law students who graduated with this degree at U Miami in the most recent data year. Soon after graduating, law degree recipients usually earn about $59,299 at the beginning of their careers.

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.

RankCollegeLocation
26University of California - Hastings College of LawSan Francisco, CA
27Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law SchoolLansing, MI
28University of Wisconsin - MadisonMadison, WI
29Widener UniversityChester, PA
30The University of Texas at AustinAustin, TX
31Southern Methodist UniversityDallas, TX
32The University of Tennessee - KnoxvilleKnoxville, TN
33Loyola Marymount UniversityLos 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

MajorAnnual Graduates
Law36,411

View All Law Concentrations >

Majors Similar to Law

Related MajorAnnual Graduates
Legal Research12,336
Legal Support Services11,322
Non-Professional General Legal Studies4,592
Legal Professions (Other)2,371

View All Law Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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