19 Best Law Schools in California in 2023- Top choices

Brief Introduction

“No one is perfect, but if you study law, you come close.” California is one of the most appealing study destinations.

The state is well-known for its stunning beaches, Hollywood, Silicon Valley, and vibrant metropolitan areas. Who wouldn’t want to study law in such a setting?

People are drawn to law schools in California because of the value placed on their legal knowledge. They provide advice, counsel, and representation to individuals and businesses. These schools are accredited by the American Bar Association and offer world-class LL.M. programmes.

Also read: National Merit Scholarship

Are you looking for the best law schools in California? They have been highlighted. We also included links, tuition, student-to-teacher ratios, and ratings.

All you have to do is research to find the one that best fits your career goals. Let’s get this party started.

There are approximately 20 law schools in California. These law schools are well-known for producing knowledgeable and competent lawyers.

To attend law school and graduate with honours, you must attend a prestigious school with excellent professors. Students who participate in pre-law advising programmes gain a better understanding of what it takes to pursue a career in law.

The best law schools in California give you the opportunity to spread your wings and fly. You have access to excellent tutors, groups, books, teaching methods, and internship opportunities.

You’d also have advisers. They will help you throughout your law school education. Going to the best law schools in California would be worthwhile if you did everything you could.

How Much Do California’s Top Law Schools Cost?

Speculative tuition fees are charged by various law schools in various countries. Because of their level of training and practical expertise, they can be very expensive.

Tuition at California law schools ranges from $20,000 to $60,000. A three-year programme would cost between $60,000 and $180,000.

Scholarships and grants are available to students to help them pay for their tuition.

What are the Prerequisites for Admission to the Best Law Schools in California?

Each school has its own admissions requirements. However, the general requirements are as follows:

Essays on ACT or SAT results
Recommendation letters
Law School Admissions Exam (LSAT). They assess students’ abilities in reading comprehension, logical reasoning, and analytical reasoning.
Any other documentation that the school requires.

How to Apply to California’s Top Law Schools

Step #1

Consult with the prelaw advisor at your undergraduate institution. As soon as possible, consult with your prelaw advisor.

By advising you on undergraduate course selection, your advisor can help you with the application process. He can also help you prepare for the Law School Admission Test and choose a school.

Step #2

Set up an LSAC account. You can track the status of each step you take as you apply to schools using your LSAC.org account. Each school has its own set of requirements and deadlines for applications.

You can use My Calendar to keep track of those important deadlines. Use your LSAC account number as your primary identifier for all LSAC services.

Step #3

Register and prepare for the LSAT. The LSAT is required by the majority of law schools. Many universities require you to take it by November/December in order to be admitted the following fall.

It is recommended that you take the test earlier, in June or September/October. Plan your test date so that you can receive your results before the deadline for your first law school application.

If you want to do well on the test, you must prepare beforehand.

Step #4

Investigate law schools. It is critical to select the best law school for you. Below is a list of 21 schools from which to choose.

Step #5

Obtain all necessary transcripts. When it’s finished, you’ll be able to access an Academic Summary Report via your LSAC.org account. Check to ensure that it is complete and accurate.

Step #6

Request letters of recommendation. The letter of recommendation requirements for each school will differ. Downloading forms from your LSAC.org account allows you to send them to your recommenders.

Step #7

Wait for responses. You can apply to as many US law schools as you want using your LSAC.org account.

California’s Top 20 Law Schools

California has at least 20 different law institutes. All of the schools listed below have been accredited and approved by the ABA. Any law school that is ABA-accredited has a better reputation.

We selected these schools based on their employability rates, rankings, and other academic reputations. The following are the top 19 law schools in California:

Stanford University
Davis, University of California

Western State University

University of La Verne College of Law

University of San Francisco Law School
Golden Gate University
Jefferson, Thomas
Santa Clara University
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Chapman University
Hastings College of the University of California
San Diego State University

Loyola Law School

Pepperdine Caruso School of Law
McGeorge School of Law

California Western School of Law

Southwestern Law School.
Gould School of Law

University of Southern California
Whittier Law School

Northwestern University School of Law

Stanford University is ranked first.

Annual tuition is $20,725
2nd place
The acceptance rate is 12%.
88.8 percent of people are employed.
Stanford Law School is a division of Stanford University, a private research university located in Palo Alto, California. It is one of California’s top law schools.

There are over 90 full-time and part-time faculty members at this school. A total of 550 students are pursuing a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree (J.D.).

Stanford Law also awards four advanced legal degrees: the LL.M., the M.S.L., the J.S.M., and the D.S.L. (J.S.D.).

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University of California, Davis is ranked second.

Annual tuition is $53,000.
35th place
The acceptance rate is 32%.
King Hall and UC Davis Law are other names for the UC Davis School of Law. In 1968, the ABA approved the school. In 1968, it became a member of the Association of American Law Schools. (AALS). The University of California Davis is currently one of the best law schools in California.

Davis is ranked 23rd in the country in terms of scholarly impact. 85 percent of the Class of 2021 secured full-time, long-term employment. According to reports, they found work less than nine months after graduating.

If you are thinking about attending one of the best law schools in California, this should be one of your options.

3. University of La Verne Law School

Annual tuition is $30,280.
N/A in terms of ranking
The acceptance rate is 65%.
The College of Law at the University of La Verne is a private university in Ontario, California. When it comes to colleges, this university has one of the best law schools in California. It has been recognised by the California State Bar since its inception in 1970.

The school offers a Juris Doctor (JD) degree in law. You can finish full-time in three years or part-time in four years at the University of La Verne. In addition, the school offers two dual-degree programmes.

They work with the University of La Verne College of Business and Public Management to offer two programmes: the Juris Doctor/Master of Business Administration (JD/MBA) and the Juris Doctor/Master of Public Administration (JD/MPA).

Western State University is ranked fourth.

Annual tuition is $42,860.
147th in the rankings
The acceptance rate is 63%.
Western State College of Law at Westcliff University is a for-profit private law school in Irvine, California. It is accredited by the American Bar Association and offers both full-time and part-time programmes. Certificates in Immigration Law, Family Law, and Real Estate are available from the law school.

Western State University offers both full-time and part-time programmes. The school has two concentrations: the Business Law Center and the Criminal Law Practice Center.

They are designed to prepare graduates for careers in business or criminal law. It is possible to achieve this through additional training, internships, and networking with lawyers.

5: University of San Francisco Law School

Tuition is $50,770 per year, and the school is ranked 97th.
The acceptance rate is 62%.
The University of San Francisco School of Law has been accredited by the American Bar Association. In 1935, the ABA approved the school, and in 1937, it became a member of the Association of American Law Schools.

Several institutes, centres, and special projects are supported by the University of South Florida.

Furthermore, USF supports study abroad programmes in Prague, Dublin, and Budapest for its students.

Classes were held at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, and Charles University in Prague as part of the exchange programmes.

European Community Law, International Business Transactions, and European Constitutionalism are examples of relevant international coursework.

US News ranked the university 97th overall and 67th in the Best Value in the National Category in 2021.

Golden Gate University is ranked sixth.

Annual tuition is $51,000.
147th in the rankings
Acceptance rate is 67%.
Golden State University is one of California’s top law schools. In 1967, it became a member of the Association of American Law Schools.

Golden Gate University has served the educational needs of working adults for over a century. You can advance your career more quickly with our accredited online, weekend, and evening classes.

7th. Thomas Jefferson School of Law

Annual tuition is $51,000.
73rd place in the rankings
The acceptance rate is 83%.
Thomas Jefferson University is one of California’s top law schools. They offer master’s, bachelor’s, associate’s, and certificate programmes. These assist students in a variety of disciplines in achieving their educational objectives.

The school also provides engaging and relevant online learning experiences. This assists you in achieving your personal and professional objectives.

Santa Clara Law – Santa Clara University is ranked eighth.

Annual tuition is $52,000.
126th in the rankings
The acceptance rate is 61%.
This is possibly the oldest continuously operating higher-educational institution in California and on the entire west coast of the United States. The law school offers the JD law degree. It also offers a few dual degree programmes in other disciplines.

According to US News and World Report, Santa Law ranks tenth in graduate programmes. It is very simple to enter and has a high acceptance rate. It is one of California’s top law schools.

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

Annual tuition is $64,052.30.
14th place in the rankings
30 percent acceptance rate
The University of California, Los Angeles, founded in 1919, is one of the region’s oldest campuses.

As long as you meet the basic requirements, the University of California has a high acceptance rate.

The school’s admission rate, however, varies due to legal constraints. It is still one of California’s top law schools.

Chapman University is ranked tenth.

Annual tuition is $43,540.
125th place in the rankings
Acceptance rate is 48%.
37.2 percent of people are employed.
Chapman University offers 110 academic programmes (49 majors and 61 minors). There are also ten schools and colleges, including the Dale E Fowler School of Law.

It also offers Juris Doctor (JD) and Master of Laws degrees. Chapman University has one of California’s best law schools.

Hastings College of the University of California

$49,538 in tuition
207th in the list
The acceptance rate is 32%.
62 percent of people are employed.
This is one of the very first law schools in the United States. The college is one of the affiliated law schools with no other graduate or undergraduate programmes on campus.

San Diego State University is ranked 12th.

Tuition is $56,230.
165th place in the rankings
The acceptance rate is 51%.
72 percent of people are employed.
The University of San Diego is one of the most affordable law schools in California. Clinics provide opportunities for prospective lawyers to study law at the university level. They can also gain knowledge through advocacy programmes and internships.

Students also gain practical experience and access to some of San Diego’s most prominent practitioners and judges. It is one of California’s top law schools.

Pepperdine Caruso School of Law is ranked thirteenth.

$62,648.62 in tuition
193rd place
The acceptance rate is 43%.
52% of people are employed.
In Malibu, California, Pepperdine Caruso Law School is a low-cost law school. In addition to traditional law schools, it offers online programmes in California.

Loyola Law School is ranked fourteenth.

$58,048.00 in tuition
253rd place
The acceptance rate is 43%.
75% of people are employed.
Los Angeles is home to one of California’s low-tuition law schools. Keep Loyola in mind when calculating the cost of law school. It is not only inexpensive, but it is also one of the best law schools in California.

The school also takes special care to accommodate disabled students. It has also implemented measures to ensure inclusivity.

Loyola Law School is currently ranked first in Southern California Super Lawyers and fifth in trial advocacy.

It has programmes that promote inclusivity and diversity. It is very appealing to those who want to study law while also practising their faith.

Loyola makes no distinctions between students of different faiths who may benefit from its excellent programme. It has one of California’s best law schools.

McGeorge School of Law is ranked fifteenth.

$49,076 in tuition
72nd place in the rankings
Acceptance rate is 48%.
72 percent of people are employed.
McGeorge School of Law is one of California’s top law schools. It is a reasonably priced law school with a high acceptance rate.

The school is one of only a few on this list that provides three entirely online degrees. McGeorge’s curriculum prepares highly skilled professionals for the rapidly changing legal market.

California Western School of Law is ranked 16th.

$47,000 in tuition
59th in the list
43.2 percent acceptance rate
69 percent of people are employed.
The California Western School of Law is located in San Diego. It’s one of the best law schools in California, and the tuition is reasonable. The school is ranked among the top ten most diverse in the United States.

In terms of required experiential learning credits, it is also one of the top three schools in the United States (15).

The faculty has had numerous articles published in law reviews and speciality journals. Among them are the California Law Review, the Boston College Law Review, and the Iowa Law Review.

Postgraduate programmes are available for both domestic and international students.

Southwestern Law School is ranked 17th.

Tuition is $27,858.
82nd in the rankings
Acceptance rate is 52%.
72 percent of people are employed.
When looking for the best law schools in California, consider Southwestern Law School. Because of the low tuition, it is one of the more affordable law schools in California.

Gould School of Law, University of Southern California

$64,908 in tuition
184th place in the rankings
The acceptance rate is 51%.
72 percent of people are employed.
The USC Gould School of Law is located in Los Angeles. It is one of the oldest law schools in the country. Externships, public service, and other activities are available to prospective lawyers through the schools.

Also read: University of Southern California USC Acceptance rate

It’s also one of the more affordable law schools to consider when calculating how much a law school can cost in California.

Whittier Law School is ranked 19th.

Tuition: Under Reconsideration – 207
The acceptance rate is 51%.
69 percent of people are employed.
Whittier Law School in California was once regarded as one of the best and most affordable colleges in the state.

Northwestern California University is ranked 20th.

Tuition for law school is $57,800.
121st in the list
The acceptance rate is 51%.
72 percent of people are employed.
Northwestern California University School of Law offers excellent instruction. Its curriculum was developed by highly qualified instructors and practitioners.

Online audio/video lectures, recorded terminology, outlines, and other useful legal materials are all part of the courses. It is one of California’s top law schools.

How Do You Get a Juris Doctor (J.D.)?

After acceptance into the law school of choice, a three-year law programme begins. Some schools also offer part-time and online programmes, which take longer by default. The goal of law school is to earn a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree in four years.

Students should expect to take some courses during their first year. Torts, contracts, constitutional law, civil procedure, property, and legal writing are all required courses in law school.

Students in their second or third year will take courses that vary by institution and country. It will, however, necessitate writing credits, experiential electives, professional responsibility courses, and other requirements. Students in their third year of the programme should take elective courses in their area of interest. Seminars and problem-solving courses could be included.

Depending on the strength of the courses you have taken, you may be required to write a professional exam at the end of the four years. If you pass, you will receive your Juris Doctor (JD)

What are the highest-paying law school positions in California?

As with any profession, some jobs pay more than others in a given location. The rule of law is not overlooked. The highest-paying law jobs in California are as follows:

Chief Legal Officer (CLO)

Annual salary range: $90,000-$234,000

A chief legal officer (CLO) is an executive who oversees the legal department of a company. As the organization’s chief legal officer, you provide legal counsel on all matters. Contracts, compliance, and regulatory issues are all covered.

Investigating non-compliance issues and recommending measures to avoid legal risks and court representation are among your responsibilities. During corporate legal proceedings, you are also in charge of hiring, training, and directing department lawyers.

2. Attorney for Mergers and Acquisitions

Annual salary range: $129,000-$225,500

As a mergers and acquisitions attorney, your primary responsibility is to provide legal advice.

You would also be in charge of advising a company that is merging or acquiring another company.

Before the merger, it is the individual’s responsibility to provide legal advice and mediate negotiations. You would also make certain that all paperwork was completed with the appropriate agencies. You may be required to represent a company in legal proceedings relating to a merger in some cases.

3. Chief Investigator

Annual salary range: $94,000-$210,000

A principal investigator, or PI, is a grant-seeking organization’s primary representative. You are in charge of planning and carrying out the grant-funded research or project as the principal investigator.

Your primary goal is to provide sufficient justification for the proposal or grant request to the funding entities.

4. Patent Attorney

Annual salary range: $100,000-$200,000

A senior patent attorney who works for a law firm is known as a patent counsel. They handle patent law cases, which give scientific inventors legal ownership protection. Your duties as a patent counsel vary depending on your area of expertise.

As one of their lawyers, you will represent one of your clients in a federal court if you work in patent infringement.

You will be responsible for submitting, approving, and registering your client’s patent application if you specialise in prosecution.

5 Health Care Lawyer

Annual salary range: $79,000-$193,500

Your responsibilities as a health care attorney include advising hospitals and physicians. You’d have to advise them on how to comply with all federal health-care laws that apply to their industries.

Your responsibilities include working with other compliance professionals to audit hospital and physician operations. You would also help the facility deal with any statutory violations.

Questions and Answers

How long does it take to finish law school in California?
Depending on how you calculate it, the amount of time spent in law school varies. Because of the addition of both bachelor’s degrees and law school, it will be longer than the actual. A bachelor’s degree in law is completed in four years. While law school takes about 18 months. In essence, law school lasts 3-6 years. On the other hand, online law schools in California and other countries will take less time.

How can I get into good California law schools?

Here’s how to get into any of the top law schools in California or anywhere else: Complete your bachelor’s degree programme. Apply to any law school that piques your interest. Take the bar exam and pass it.

Is attending law school required?

Yes. As far as you are concerned, law school is required in California.

How many law schools are there in California?

California has about 20 law schools in total. The Whittier Law School, on the other hand, is on the verge of closing.

Are there any online law schools in California?

Yes, there are online law schools in California. However, there aren’t many of them. Those who cannot travel to California to study can take advantage of these low-cost online law schools. They all go through the same classes and training procedures. Simply put, California online law schools allow students to study at their own pace.

What are the public law schools in California?

Many people are misinformed about public law schools. The majority of them agree that public law schools in California are among the most affordable. As our list continues to show, however, we cannot say it is true. The only advantage of public schools is access to funding and opportunities.

What are California’s top ten law schools?

California’s Top 10 Law Schools
1 Stanford Law School (SLS)

2 University of California – Berkeley (UC Berkeley)

3 University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

4 University of Southern California Gould School of Law (USC Law School)

5 University of California (U.C.)

6 Chapman University – Fowler School of Law

What is America’s best law school?

Rank of the USNWR

LSAT Median Law School 1

Yale Law School 173 2

Harvard Law School 173 3

Stanford Law School 171 4
171

Columbia University Law School 171 5

Which UC school has the best pre-law programme?

If you want to be a lawyer, the University of California, Berkeley is the best UC school for pre-law (legal studies) and law school.

Are there any law schools at Cal State?

Cal State L.A. graduates were admitted to most other California law schools, including USC, Loyola, and Southwestern, in addition to all four University of California law schools.

Conclusion

A law degree remains one of the most sought-after and competitive degrees in the world. It is a professional degree that does more than just broaden students’ minds. It also expands their professional options.

Despite the rapid development of the labour market, the legal profession is a respected and relevant profession. As technology advances, lawyers will always be in high demand, which is why a law degree is required. Choose from any of the best law schools in California listed above. They’re all well worth it.

References

spynaija.com– Law schools in California
usnews.com– Top law schools in California