collageThe best California law school for you will depend on your goals, your LSAT score and GPA, and financial considerations. Some of these schools are highly competitive and require the highest LSAT scores. Others are more accessible, and may have a specialty you’re interested in.
As you think about applying to the top law schools in California, you’ll want to time your applications with the LSAT test dates. A solid LSAT prep and law school entry plan should include shortlisting your preferred schools. Some of these may make the cut.
If you’re researching the top law schools in California, this article will give you insight into how they stack up against each other, what they’re known for, what they’ll cost, and more.
California Law School Rankings
There are a total of 18 law schools in California, each with banner qualities. As you look into your options, get clear about what you need, want, and don’t want in a law school.
There are two sides to this decision-making process. One is you: the law schools you really want to get into. Two is your LSAT score: this will determine if you are eligible to get into certain schools. Once you study for the LSAT and take the test, LSAC will receive your score and bundle your admissions packets for CA law schools.
The law schools you send this to may meet certain specs in your mind. For example, you may be looking for a school with a high bar passage rate. Cost may be a factor, and CA law schools have a range of tuition fees. You should also try to narrow down your preferred law specialty so you can pick a law school that is well-known for that niche.
Graduate schools in the U.S. have been ranked by U.S. News through a comprehensive assessment to help students make informed decisions. Here is how California law schools stack up nationally:
| School Name | U.S. News Ranking | Accept. Rate | Median LSAT | Median GPA | Tuition | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stanford | #2 | 12% | 171 | 3.89 | $65,554 | 567 |
| UC Berkeley | #9 | 22% | 168 | 3.82 | $52,017 | 986 |
| UCLA | #15 | 31% | 173 | 3.89 | $47,989 | 975 |
| USC Gould | #18 | 29% | 158 | 3.57 | $67,191 | 590 |
| UC Irvine | #27 | 30% | 161 | 3.61 | $47,565 | 519 |
| UC Davis | #38 | 34% | 171 | 3.69 | $49,455 | 592 |
| Pepperdine Caruso | #47 | 48% | 156 | 3.53 | $57,560 | 480 |
| UC Hastings | #59 | 42% | 154 | 3.40 | $44,480 | 945 |
| Loyola Marymount | #62 | 43% | 159 | 3.51 | $59,340 | 857 |
| U. San Diego | #83 | 42% | 162 | 3.59 | $56,711 | 678 |
| Santa Clara U. | #107 | 60% | 152 | 3.17 | $52,528 | 599 |
| Chapman (Fowler) | #111 | 46% | 148 | 3.16 | $54,718 | 442 |
| California Western School of Law | Unranked | 71% | 153 | 3.21 | $54,310 | 567 |
| Golden Gate U. | Unranked | 66% | 147 | 2.91 | $51,500 | 386 |
| Southwestern Law School | Unranked | 61% | 154 | 3.20 | $55,316 | 611 |
| U. of S.F. | Unranked | 60% | 147 | 3.04 | $50,690 | 353 |
| U. Pacific McGeorge | Unranked | 70% | 145 | 3.02 | $53,434 | 412 |
| Western State | Unranked | 60% | 141 | 2.92 | $43,350 | 126 |
Top 5 California Law Schools
California is home to some of the best law schools in the country. Some of them are top five schools at the national level.
These schools require high-ambition and stellar LSAT scores. Students who aren’t quite in the qualifying range, but are determined, can sometimes improve their LSAT score with additional study. Of course, writing the test a second time is an additional cost, but it may be worth it to bump your score into a competitive range.
All five of the CA law schools in this list provide high quality education and career prep. Take a look at all of the benefits that these schools have to offer.
Stanford University Law School
Located in Stanford, California, Stanford University Law School was established in 1893. This private school has been ranked by U.S. News as one of the top three law schools in the United States every year since 1992.
Stanford Law offers many graduate degrees: Juris Doctor, Master of Laws, and Master of Legal Studies. Many of Stanford’s law school alumni become federal judges, politicians, and high-profile lawyers. Here are some of the reasons why Stanford is ranked as the best law school in California.
Stanford Law School: Highest Ranking Specialties
Here are the specialties in which Stanford ranks top ten:
- Business/corporate law
- Clinical training
- Constitutional law
- Contracts/commercial law
- Criminal law
- Environmental law
- Intellectual Property law
- International law
Acceptance and Tuition Rates
Stanford Law only has an acceptance rate of 12%. Over 4,000 people apply to Stanford Law each year. It accepts about 180 of them.
This means that it is a highly-competitive school. You need some serious ambition and rigorous LSAT study to get a chance. It’s doable if you’re willing to work hard.
Stanford Law is also the second most expensive law school in California. The tuition cost is $64,554 for both in-state and out-of-state students. Both the academic and financial barriers may feel high, but people who graduate from Stanford Law do so with prestige and the potential of headlining legal careers.
Stanford Law Stats
Here are a few more statistics about Stanford Law:
- Rank: #2
- Median LSAT: 171
- Median GPA: 3.89
- Student to faculty ratio: 4.1:1
- Application fee: $85
- Employed at graduation: 90.2%
Learn More About Stanford Law School
If you would like to learn more about Stanford Law School, you can contact them here:
Website: https://law.stanford.edu
Phone Number: (650) 723 – 2465
Email: admission@law.stanford.edu
Address: Crown Quadrangle, 559 Nathan Abbott Way, Stanford, CA 94305
University of California Berkeley Law School
In Berkeley, California, UC Berkeley Law School is another school with a long history. It was established in 1894. This public school has consistently ranked as one of the top ten law schools in the United States.
Berkeley Law has produced many notable federal judges and lawyers. The Berkeley Law School is one of fourteen colleges that the University of California oversees. Berkeley Law offers a few graduate degrees to choose from: Juris Doctor and Master of Laws. Here is more info on the prestigious Berkeley Law.
University of California Berkeley: Highest Ranking Specialties
U.S. News has ranked Berkeley Law in the top ten for many law specialties:
- Business/corporate law
- Clinical training
- Constitutional law
- Contracts/commercial law
- Criminal law
- Environmental law
- Intellectual property law
Acceptance and Tuition Rates
UC Berkeley Law has an acceptance rate of 22%. That means that about a quarter of the 5,000 yearly applicants make it in. This is a reasonable number but also means you have to be pretty dedicated to your LSAT studies and craft a standout application.
UC Berkeley Law is priced middle-of-the-road for CA law schools. It has a tuition rate of $52,017 for in-state students and $55,346 for out-of-state students.
University of California Berkeley Stats
If you want to investigate University of California Berkeley law school, here are some stats:
- Rank: #9
- Median LSAT: 167.66
- Median GPA: 3.81
- Student to faculty ratio: 6.1:1
- Application fee: $75
- Employed at graduation: 83.8%
Learn More About University of California Berkeley
Website: law.berkeley.edu
Phone Number: (510) 642 – 1741
Email: admissions@law.berkeley.edu
Address: University of California Berkeley, School of Law, Law Building #7200, Berkeley, CA 94720-7200
University of California Los Angeles Law School
Located in Los Angeles, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Law School is ranked #15 in the United States for best law schools. Established in 1949, UCLA Law has been ranked in the top 20 law schools year after year by U.S. News.
One of the goals of UCLA Law is to provide access to law education for many students who would otherwise not be able to pursue a legal career.
However, UCLA Law also requires one of the highest LSAT scores out of the five reviewed here. So while you may be able to get some generous financial aid if you’re accepted, it’s still incredibly difficult to actually get in.
UCLA Law offers three graduate degrees: Juris Doctor, Master of Laws, and Master of Legal Studies. Continue reading for more information on UCLA Law School.
University of California Los Angeles Law School: Highest Ranking Specialties
Here are some of the law specialties that UCLA Law ranks in the top ten for:
- Business/corporate law
- Criminal law
- Environmental law
- Tax law
Acceptance and Tuition Rates
At 31%, UCLA Law has a higher acceptance rate than most top five California law schools. The law school doesn’t differentiate or prefer specific majors or academic disciplines. However, the UCLA Law website recommends that STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) majors are “strongly encouraged” to apply to the law school. This could be a beneficial insight if UCLA Law is on your radar and you want to know if you could be one of the 31%.
UCLA Law is also less expensive than many other law schools in CA, especially for in-state students. It has tuition costs of $47,989 for in-state students and $54,052 for out-of-state students.
University of California Los Angeles Stats
Here are more statistics about University of California Los Angeles Law School:
- Rank: #15
- Median LSAT: 172.64
- Median GPA: 3.88
- Student to faculty ratio: 5.9:1
- Application fee: $75
- Employed at graduation: 70.3%
Learn More About University of California Los Angeles Law School
If you would like to learn more about UCLA Law School, you can contact them:
Website: law.ucla.edu
Phone Number: (310) 825 – 2080
Email: admissions@law.ucla.edu
Address: 385 Charles E Young Dr E, Los Angeles, CA 90095
University of Southern California (Gould) Law School
Located in Los Angeles, USC Gould Law School is ranked #18 in the top law schools in the United States. Established in 1896, this private school has consistently ranked as one of the top 20 law schools in the United States.
With many notable alumni ranging from federal judges to politicians, USC Gould provides high-quality education. USC Gould Law also offers many different graduate degrees:
- Juris Doctor (JD)
- Master of Laws (LLM)
- Master of Studies in Law (MSL)
- Master of Dispute Resolution (MDR)
- Master of Comparative Law (MCL)
Continue reading to learn more about USC Gould Law School.
University of Southern California Law School: Highest Ranking Specialties
USC Gould Law does not rank in any specialties.
Acceptance and Tuition Rates
USC Gould Law has an acceptance rate of 28.5%. USC, as a whole, has an acceptance rate of 13%. If you don’t make the first cut and get into USC Gould Law, there are some alternate admissions options, people who want to graduate from the Juris Doctor (JD) program can apply to be a Visiting Student in their final year.
The barrier of entry may not be astoundingly high, but the cost of USC Gould Law is the highest in CA. It has a tuition cost of $67,191, which makes it the most expensive law school on this list.
University of Southern California Law School Stats
Take a look at these University of Southern California Law School statistics:
- Rank: #18
- Median LSAT: 157.7
- Median GPA: 3.57
- Student to faculty ratio: 6.4:1
- Application fee: $75
- Employed at graduation: 69.8%
Learn More About University of Southern California Law School
If you would like to get in contact with USC Gould Law, you can find their information here:
Website: gould.usc.edu
Phone Number: (213) 740 – 7331
Email: gipadmissions@law.usc.edu
Address: 699 Exposition Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0071
University of California Irvine Law School
University of California Irvine (UCI) Law School is located in Irvine, California. It is ranked #27 of the best law schools in the United States and is the youngest law school in the University of California system, established in 2007.
UCI Law offers Juris Doctor and Master of Laws programs. One of its most notable features is that it is committed to offering students hands-on experience through pro-bono clinical training. Continue reading to find out more about UCI Law.
University of California Irvine Law School: Highest Ranking Specialties
UCI Law ranks in the top ten for the following specialties:
- Clinical Training
- Legal Writing
- Tax Law
Acceptance and Tuition Rates
University of California Irvine Law School has an acceptance rate of 24.8%. That means about one out of every four people get in every year. In the Juris Doctor program in Fall 2019, 3,147 people applied and 157 were enrolled. Out of the enrolled students, most scored in the 75th percentile (167+) on the LSAT and had a 3.74 GPA.
To pay for UCI Law School, it will cost $47,565 for in-state students and $53,628 for out-of-state students.
University of California Irvine Law School Stats
Here are more statistics about UCI Law School:
- Rank: #27
- Median LSAT: 163
- Median GPA: 3.57
- Student to faculty ratio: 6.3:1
- Application fee: $0
- Employed at graduation: 61.4%
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