Best 100 law schools in the united states
It is difficult to compile a definitive list of the “best” law schools in the United States, as different ranking systems may have different criteria and weightings for the factors they consider. However, here is a list of some highly respected and well-regarded law schools in the United States:
- Yale Law School
- Stanford Law School
- Harvard Law School
- Columbia Law School
- University of Chicago Law School
- New York University School of Law
- University of Pennsylvania Law School
- University of Michigan Law School
- University of Virginia School of Law
- Duke University School of Law
- University of California, Berkeley School of Law (Boalt Hall)
- Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law
- University of Texas at Austin School of Law
- Cornell Law School
- Georgetown University Law Center
- University of California, Los Angeles School of Law
- University of Notre Dame Law School
- University of Minnesota Law School
- University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School
This list is by no means exhaustive, and there are many other excellent law schools in the United States. It is important to consider a range of factors when choosing a law school, including the school’s reputation, location, curriculum, and cost.

Overview Difference Yale Law School Stanford Law School Harvard Law School Columbia Law School University of Chicago Law School New York University School of Law University of Pennsylvania Law School University of Michigan Law School University of Virginia School of Law Duke University School of Law University of California, Berkeley School of Law (Boalt Hall) Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law University of Texas at Austin School of Law Cornell Law School Georgetown University Law Center University of California, Los Angeles School of Law University of Notre Dame Law School University of Southern California Gould School of Law University of Minnesota Law School University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School
It is difficult to provide a comprehensive overview of all of these law schools, as each has its own unique characteristics and offerings. Here is a brief summary of some key differences between these schools:
- Yale Law School is consistently ranked as one of the top law schools in the country, and it is known for its rigorous academic program and strong emphasis on legal theory and doctrine.
- Stanford Law School is also highly ranked and is known for its innovative curriculum, which includes a strong focus on interdisciplinary studies and practical skills training. Stanford is located in Stanford, California.
- Harvard Law School is one of the oldest and most prestigious law schools in the country, and it is known for its rigorous academic program and strong emphasis on legal scholarship. Harvard is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
- Columbia Law School is located in New York City and is known for its strong clinical program, which allows students to gain hands-on experience working on real cases.
- The University of Chicago Law School is known for its rigorous academic program and its strong focus on legal theory and doctrine. The school is located in Chicago, Illinois.
- New York University School of Law is located in New York City and is known for its strong clinical program and its focus on public interest law.
- The University of Pennsylvania Law School is located in Philadelphia and is known for its strong emphasis on legal theory and its interdisciplinary approach to legal education.
- The University of Michigan Law School is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and is known for its strong academic program and its focus on practical skills training.
- The University of Virginia School of Law is located in Charlottesville, Virginia, and is known for its strong emphasis on legal theory and its clinical program.
- Duke University School of Law is located in Durham, North Carolina, and is known for its strong academic program and its focus on practical skills training.
- The University of California, Berkeley School of Law (also known as Boalt Hall) is located in Berkeley, California, and is known for its strong emphasis on public interest law and its interdisciplinary approach to legal education.
- Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law is located in Chicago, Illinois, and is known for its strong academic program and its focus on practical skills training.
- The University of Texas at Austin School of Law is located in Austin, Texas, and is known for its strong emphasis on practical skills training and its clinical program.
- Cornell Law School is located in Ithaca, New York, and is known for its strong academic program and its focus on legal theory and doctrine.
- Georgetown University Law Center is located in Washington, D.C., and is known for its strong emphasis on public interest law and its clinical program.
- The University of California, Los Angeles School of Law is located in Los Angeles, California, and is known for its strong emphasis on public interest law and its clinical program.
- The University of Notre Dame Law School is located in Notre Dame, Indiana, and is known for its strong emphasis on legal ethics and its clinical program.
- The University of Southern California Gould School of Law is located in Los Angeles, California, and is known for its strong emphasis on practical skills training and its clinical program.
- The University of Minnesota Law School is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and is known for its strong academic program and its focus on practical skills training.
- The University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School is located in Madison, Wisconsin, and is known for its strong academic program and its focus on practical skills training.
Again, these are just brief summaries of some key differences between

Fees Admission Result info Yale Law School Stanford Law School Harvard Law School Columbia Law School University of Chicago Law School New York University School of Law University of Pennsylvania Law School University of Michigan Law School University of Virginia School of Law Duke University School of Law University of California, Berkeley School of Law (Boalt Hall) Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law University of Texas at Austin School of Law Cornell Law School Georgetown University Law Center University of California, Los Angeles School of Law University of Notre Dame Law School University of Southern California Gould School of Law University of Minnesota Law School University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School
Here is a summary of tuition and fees for the 2021-2022 academic year at some of the law schools you listed:
- Yale Law School: $63,450 per year (full-time)
- Stanford Law School: $64,087 per year (full-time)
- Harvard Law School: $65,850 per year (full-time)
- Columbia Law School: $67,312 per year (full-time)
- University of Chicago Law School: $66,566 per year (full-time)
- New York University School of Law: $68,642 per year (full-time)
- University of Pennsylvania Law School: $66,992 per year (full-time)
- University of Michigan Law School: $63,432 per year (full-time)
- University of Virginia School of Law: $62,872 per year (full-time)
- University of California, Berkeley School of Law (Boalt Hall): $53,878 per year (resident), $65,298 per year (non-resident)
- Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law: $66,580 per year (full-time)
- University of Texas at Austin School of Law: $28,372 per year (resident), $52,798 per year (non-resident)
- Cornell Law School: $67,656 per year (full-time)
- Georgetown University Law Center: $69,640 per year (full-time)
- University of California, Los Angeles School of Law: $53,878 per year (resident), $65,298 per year (non-resident)
- University of Notre Dame Law School: $62,150 per year (full-time)
- University of Southern California Gould School of Law: $67,358 per year (full-time)
- University of Minnesota Law School: $47,720 per year (resident), $61,140 per year (non-resident)
- University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School: $33,598 per year (resident), $49,220 per year (non-resident)
It is important to note that these figures are for tuition and fees only, and do not include the cost of living expenses or other costs associated with attending law school.
In terms of admissions, most of these law schools have highly competitive admissions processes and require applicants to have strong undergraduate grades and LSAT scores. Admissions standards may vary slightly from school to school, so it is important for applicants to research the specific requirements of each school they are interested in attending.
Finally, it is worth noting that law school rankings can be a useful resource for prospective law students, but they should not be the only factor considered when choosing a law school. It is important to carefully research and consider a range of factors, including the school’s reputation, location, curriculum, and cost, in order to find the best fit for your individual needs and goals.

United States Law School Advantage
Law schools in the United States offer a number of advantages to students who are interested in pursuing a career in law. Here are a few key advantages of attending law school in the United States:
- Strong reputation: Law schools in the United States have a strong reputation globally, and a degree from a top-ranked U.S. law school can open up doors to a wide range of career opportunities.
- Wide range of options: The United States has a large number of law schools, offering a wide range of options for prospective law students. This includes schools with different specializations and areas of focus, as well as schools in different geographic locations.
- Practical skills training: Many U.S. law schools offer hands-on training and experiential learning opportunities, such as clinical programs and internships, which can help students develop practical skills that are valuable in the legal profession.
- Strong alumni networks: Many U.S. law schools have strong alumni networks, which can provide valuable connections and support for students as they begin their careers in law.
- Flexibility: Law school in the United States can provide flexibility in terms of career paths, as students can choose to focus on a specific area of law or explore a range of options. This can allow students to tailor their education to their individual career goals.
It is worth noting that law school can be a challenging and demanding experience, and it is important for prospective law students to carefully consider their motivations and goals before deciding to pursue a legal education.

American Law School Disadvantage
There are also some potential disadvantages to attending law school in the United States. Here are a few key considerations:
- Cost: Law school in the United States can be expensive, with tuition and fees often totaling tens of thousands of dollars per year. This can make it difficult for some students to afford the cost of a legal education, and may require students to take on significant debt in order to finance their studies.
- Competition: Admissions to law schools in the United States can be highly competitive, and many schools have stringent admissions requirements. This can make it challenging for some students to gain acceptance to a law school, particularly if they do not have strong grades or LSAT scores.
- Time commitment: Law school in the United States is a full-time program that typically takes three years to complete. This can be a significant time commitment, and may require students to put other aspects of their lives on hold while they complete their studies.
- Stressful: Law school can be a stressful and demanding experience, and students may face a high level of pressure to perform well academically. This can be particularly challenging for students who are not well-suited to the demands of a legal education.
- Limited job prospects: Despite the strong reputation of U.S. law schools, the job market for law graduates can be challenging, particularly in recent years. Many law graduates may find it difficult to find employment, particularly in highly competitive legal markets. This can be especially difficult for students who graduate from lower-ranked law schools.
It is important for prospective law students to carefully consider these potential disadvantages before deciding to pursue a legal education in the United States.