7 Best Law Schools in California: LSAT, GPA, Ranking
California is home to some of the best law schools in the country, and there are plenty of students looking to attend one of these institutions. If you’re interested in studying law in California, and you don’t know where to start, take a look at our top 7 list.
These schools are highly respected and have a long history of producing successful lawyers. With that in mind, it’s important that you choose the right school for you. Let our list help you make an informed decision!
Best Law Schools in California
Stanford Law School
The U.S. and World Report are two different magazines. Stanford Law School (SLS) is frequently ranked as one of the top three law schools in the United States by media outlets. The school’s programs are modest and intimate, with a competitive admission process.
Every year, it accepts roughly 15 to 25 students or 12% of applicants into each of its specializations, which enrolls just a few students. In order to get a spot in SLS, you’ll need to stand out from the crowd.
The student-to-teacher ratio at the school is 4:1. SPILS, a Stanford-based program in international legal studies, is also hosted at the institution.
The Master of Science in Law (JSM) is awarded by this program. You join an influential alumni network once you’ve graduated. It’s also worth noting that within ten months, at least 90% of Stanford graduates have obtained jobs.
- LSAT 25th-75th percentile: 169-174
- GPA 25th-75th percentile: 3.82-3.99
- Acceptance rate: 12%
University of California – Berkeley
In the United States, it’s referred to as U.S. U.C. has received a lot of news lately. After Stanford, Berkeley Law School was established in 1894 as California’s second-best law school. The law school was named the 10th best law school in the United States by experts in 2019. So, competitive admissions are common.
Just around 20% of applicants are accepted each year at the institution. It has a student-to-staff ratio of 5:8, which is also low. University of Colorado A conventional LL.M program and a Professional Track LL.M. program are both available at Berkeley Law School.
Over two summers, professional track LL.M candidates study. During the year, this plan allows you to work or spend time with relatives.
If you leave for the University of California, 90% of the time, after graduating from Berkeley Law School, you’ll find a job in less than a year. Many Cal alumni pursue careers in government and the nonprofit sector.
- LSAT 25th-75th percentile: 165-170
- GPA 25th-75th percentile: 3.64-3.90
- Acceptance rate: 20%
University of Southern California Gould School of Law
The first law school in the Southwest United States is USC Law School. The Gould School of Law was established in 1896, although it was not recognized as a USC school until 1900. The school is routinely in the top 20 legal institutions in the United States.
It’s located in the heart of downtown Los Angeles, but it’s strategically positioned. Students have quick access to a wide variety of possibilities in a big metropolitan region at the location. A standard one-year LL.M. program is available at the institution. A two-year LL.M. program is available as well. The program is available as a download.
Despite the fact that it enrolls about 600 students, it maintains a student/faculty ratio of 5.9:1. Don’t be deceived by the large student population. It’s not easy to get into USC Gould School.
Thankfully, if you apply early, you have a greater chance of being accepted. That opportunity is available at a small number of law schools around the world. Universities around the globe, including Brazil, France, Australia, Italy, and Hong Kong, have partnerships with the USC Gould School.
If you want to expand your understanding of a secondary subject, these classes may be ideal for you. The school’s year-long clinics are also noteworthy, as they provide a more extensive experience than the semester-long ones at most law schools.
- LSAT 25th-75th percentile: 163-167
- GPA 25th-75th percentile: 3.61-3.89
- Acceptance rate: 19%
The University of California (U.C.) Irvine School of Law
U.C. stands for “unconditional commonality.” Although it has just been founded, the Irvine School of Law is already one of the most progressive law schools in the country. It’s been in the top 25 for a long time. A student/faculty ratio of 5:8:1 exists at the school, which has roughly 500 pupils.
The proportion ensures that professors pay attention to individual students throughout the course. U.C. Irvine has a high rejection rate, with only about 25% of applicants being accepted. You start gaining hands-on experience right away if you’re lucky enough to get a spot in the school.
First-year students take a Lawyering Skills class during which they speak with actual clients. You’ll have to pick from ten core clinics in your second year. Domestic violence, community development, criminal justice, and immigration rights are just a few of the concerns addressed at the clinics.
A intense externship program and the UCDC Law curriculum, which lets you spend a semester in Washington, DC, are two more practical learning possibilities.
- LSAT 25th-75th percentile: 161-165
- GPA 25th-75th percentile: 3.4-3.73
- Acceptance rate: 63%
Chapman University
Chapman University Law School was founded in 1995. The Orange County-based school gained provisional American Bar Association (ABA) accreditation in 1998 and acquired full ABA accreditation in 2002.
It offers a range of a variety of programs, including several LL.M degree specializations and the Juris Doctor degree.
In addition, it provides integrated programs such as J.D./MBA and J.D./MFA in Film and Television Production. The school’s diverse and accomplished faculty members are well-known. Students may get both individualized teaching and practical clinical and courtroom experience.
The acceptance rate at Chapman Law School is 48%. With 78% of the 2018 class employed after 10 months of graduation, according to the school. About 60% of the graduates found work in legal firms. If you’re considering Chapman Law School, keep these numbers in mind:
- LSAT 25th-75th percentile: 154-158
- GPA 25th-75th percentile: 3.17-3.56
- Acceptance rate: 48%
The University of California – Davis School of Law
The United States is represented by a red star. U.C. has received good press lately. Among the top ten law schools in California, Davis School of Law is one of them. In 1965, the university established a law school. Between San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento, the state’s capital, is where the school is located.Students may connect with a wide range of experts and government officials at the location.
The school accepts just over 34% of applicants, making admission highly competitive. It is the smallest of five law schools in the University of California system, with about 200 students in each class.
Students at the law school get a more personal legal education than students at most other law schools in the state because of its small size. LL.M. degrees are available at the institution.
Students gain practical experience in areas such as the California Legislature, district attorney’s offices, and state and federal judicial chambers via this program. If you’re considering attending the school, these admission data from the 2018 incoming class might be useful:
- Median LSAT Score: 162
- Median Undergraduate GPA: 3.63
- Acceptance rate: 32%
Pepperdine University School of Law
Pepperdine University School of Law, located in Malibu, is a religious institution. The Churches of Christ are affiliated with it. The school provides individual attention to its pupils because of its student/faculty ratio of 7:1.
The Paris Institute for Professional Education is yet another unique feature of the institution. The Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine is also well-known.
This institution defines the institution as a thought leader in the field of alternative dispute resolution. Pepperdine’s LL.M. in Alternative Dispute Resolution is, in fact, one of the top 10 LL.Ms in the world for alternative dispute resolution.
If you’re considering admission to Pepperdine University School of Law, these numbers from 2018 may be useful:
- Median LSAT Score: 160
- Median Undergraduate GPA: 3.63
- Acceptance rate: 36%
Final Verdict
At least 60 different law programs are available in California. Yet, each of them isn’t the same. ABA or the state Committee of Bar Examiners have accredited some of them, but others are unaccredited.
The ABA has granted accreditation and approval to all 10 schools mentioned above. Law schools that are ABA-accredited have a better reputation.
