Top Law University in USA

Top Law University in USA

Top Law University in USA
Ashma Shrestha

Law has always been one of the most valued and well-respected fields of study in universities. For many people, earning a law degree is the first step toward a career in the legal field. Law degrees in the USA always train students for various professional activities and particular legal careers.

Studying law in the USA allows students to benefit from the nation's well-known and reputable law institutions and see what it is like for a widely known, familiar law practitioner.

LLB (Bachelor of Laws) degrees are the most common type of law degree, and they enable you to sit for the national bar or Law Society qualification exams to practice law in states. 

There are graduate-level law degrees in USA’s law universities that place more of an emphasis on academic research, even though most LLM and JD schools focus on preparing students for legal careers. These degrees can be obtained through a PhD in Law, a Doctor of Laws, or a Juridical Science (JSD).

Studying law in the USA might lead to several opportunities for anyone. You can use your law knowledge to pursue a career as an attorney or in various other fields, including politics, diplomacy, economics, business, or education.

Since many of the nation's major legal firms have offices in New York City, Boston, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia, the northeastern part of the US is a fantastic spot for students to obtain internship and studying opportunities. A student's network and recommendations may influence the employment process at a law firm in the USA.

A law graduate makes about &75,000 on an average year in the USA, making it the best-paying job.

Top Law Universities in the USA: Global Ranking

Since law schools are all around the US, it's crucial to look beyond the top 10 colleges and determine what's best for you. The best law schools, however, will open doors to chances in significant businesses in those regions because of the significance of the bar exam and the abundance of respected law schools throughout the US.

According to the QS World Ranking 2022, these are some of the most recognized law schools in the United States.

Rank 

University

Location

1

Harvard University

Cambridge, United States

4

Yale University

New Haven, United States

5

Stanford University

Stanford, United States

6

New York University (NYU)

New York City, United States

8

Columbia University

New York City, United States

9

The University of California, Berkeley (UCB)

Berkeley, United States

10

University of Chicago

Chicago, United States

21

Georgetown University

Washington D.C., United States

22

University of California, Los Angeles

Los Angeles, United States

27

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, United States

 

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Top Law University in the USA: Bachelor of Law

In the United States, a bachelor's degree in law can be earned after completing a 3- to 4-year program. After completing a three-year professional curriculum called Juris Doctor, graduates are qualified to take the bar test and eventually work as licensed attorneys.

Bachelor of law graduates may work as professional experts, policy analysts, jury consultants, political advisers, IRS agents, etc., in government and non-government departments, not-for-profit organizations, etc. 

An essential first step is picking the best law school. Finding a college that fits you well is crucial. It's frequently encouraged to enrol in a law college in the United States where you want to put your knowledge into practice.

Top Law University in the USA: Bachelor of Law(Program and Course Duration)

The following are some of the most popular Bachelor's degrees in Law universities in the US with program and course details:

University

Program

Duration

Harvard University

Juris Doctor

3 years

Yale University

Juris Doctor

3 years

Stanford University

Juris Doctor

3 years

New York University (NYU)

Juris Doctor

3 years

Columbia University

Juris Doctor

3 years

University of California, Berkeley (UCB)

BA in Legal Studies

4 years

University of Chicago

Bachelor of Arts in Law, Letters, and Society

4 years

Georgetown University

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

3 years

University of California, Los Angeles

Juris Doctor

3 years

University of Pennsylvania

Juris Doctor

3 years

Top Law University in the USA: Bachelor of Law(Tuition Fees)

The average pay for a bachelor's degree holder is $72,000 per year, while the average salary for a JD holder is $92,000 per year.

Here is a list of Top Law Universities in the USA for Bachelor of Law with Tuition Fees:

University

Tuition (Annual)

Harvard University

$70,430

Yale University

$69,100

Stanford University

$64,350

New York University (NYU)

$73,216

Columbia University

$75,572

University of California, Berkeley (UCB)

$41,196

University of Chicago

$59,256

Georgetown University

$71,996

University of California, Los Angeles

$64,416

University of Pennsylvania

$67,550

Bachelor of Law in the USA: Entry Requirements

Stanford University

Academic Requirements

  • A one to two pages CV outlining your academic, extracurricular, and professional achievements are required by Stanford.
  • Enclose a statement of about two pages sharing important or unusual information about yourself that is not otherwise apparent in your application. 
  • Stanford requires that at least two and no more than four letters of recommendation be sent directly through the LSAC Letter of Recommendation Service.

English Language Requirements

  • All applicants must take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test.

University of Chicago

Academic Requirements

  • Higher secondary education completed

English Language Requirements

  • No minimum score requirement exists, but international students must submit their IELTS, TOEFL, or comparable English language exam results.

The University of California, Berkeley (UCB)

Academic Requirements

  • Completion of higher secondary education that allows applicants to enter into an undergraduate program in their home country.
  • The minimum GPA requirement is 3.4.
  • Although the SAT and ACT score requirement is not stated, the average ACT score of admitted students is 32 to 35, and SAT score is 1450 – 1530.

English Language Requirements

  • A TOEFL score of 80 or more overall or an IELTS score of at least 6.5 overall or a Duolingo score of 115 overall.

The University of Pennsylvania

Academic Requirements

  • Completed application form with electronic signature
  • Undergraduate transcripts from all schools attended
  • Graduate transcripts from all schools attended
  • Official score reports for all standardized test scores (LSAT, GRE, or GMAT)
  • Two letters of recommendation (must be submitted through the LSAC Letter of Recommendation Service)
  • Resume or Curriculum Vitae
  • Personal statement

English Language Requirements

  • A TOEFL score of 80 or more overall, an IELTS score of at least 6.5, or a Duolingo score of 115.

Top Law University in the USA: Master of Law

In the USA, LLMs (Master of Laws) are provided in various specialized areas, including criminology, commercial law, social justice, human rights, and environmental law. Most institutions offer a residential program that lasts between nine months and two years.

For master's in law programs, the USA draws students worldwide. Obtaining a Master of Law in the USA might open up various domestic and international prospects in the legal field. 

Students looking for specific expertise in a legal area typically enrol in these programs. In the USA, there are numerous sites and many specialization options for Master in Law degrees.

While many Law graduates practice law in their fields of specialization, others become law professors, judges, public servants, diplomats, and other professions.

Top Law University in the USA: Master of Law (Program and Course Duration)

Below is a list of the best law schools in the USA that provide master's degrees in law with program and course duration:

University

Program

Duration

Harvard University

Master of Laws

1 year

Yale University

Master of studies in Law (MSL)

1 year

Stanford University

Master of Legal Studies 

1 year

New York University (NYU)

Master of Laws

1 year

Columbia University

Master of Laws (LLM)


Executive LLM

1 year


6 months

The University of California, Berkeley (UCB)

Master of Laws (LLM)

12 months

The University of Chicago

Master of Laws

1 year

Georgetown University

Master of Laws (LLM)

2 semesters

The University of California, Los Angeles

Master of Legal Studies (MLS)

9 months

The University of Pennsylvania

Master in Law

10 months 

Top Law University in the USA: Master of Law (Tuition Fees)

The average tuition cost for universities offering a Master of Law in the USA is around 70,000 USD. Here is a list of Top Law Universities in the USA for Master of Law with Tuition Fees:

University

Tuition (Annual)

Harvard University

$70,430

Yale University

$69,100

Stanford University

$64,350

New York University (NYU)

$73,216

Columbia University

$75,572


$78,668

The University of California, Berkeley (UCB)

$69,857

The University of Chicago

$73,185

Georgetown University

$74,340

The University of California, Los Angeles

$59,600 ($29,800*2)

The University of Pennsylvania

$60,264

Master of Law in the USA: Entry Requirements

Harvard University

Academic Requirements

  • an applicant must have a J.D. (Juris Doctor) from an ABA-approved U.S. law school or a first law degree (J.D., LL.B. or the equivalent) from a foreign law school.
  • CV/Resume
  • Personal Statement
  • Transcripts

English Language Requirements

  • A TOEFL score of 80 or more overall, an IELTS score of at least 6.5, or a Duolingo score of 115.

Yale University

Academic Requirements

  • CV
  • a typed statement of no more than three pages explaining why studying law is essential to your professional growth and development.
  • transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work
  • three confidential letters of recommendation 

English Language Requirements

  • an official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score report a minimum 100

Stanford University

Academic Requirements

  • Resume
  • Personal Statement
  • 2 letters of recommendation
  • Official Transcripts

English Language Requirements

  • A TOEFL score of 80 or more overall or an IELTS score of at least 6.5 overall or a Duolingo score of 115 overall.

New York University (NYU)

Academic Requirements

  • Personal Statement
  • Resume
  • Official Transcripts/Class Rank Statement
  • Recommendation letter

English Language Requirements

  • A TOEFL score of 80 or more overall, an IELTS score of at least 6.5, or a Duolingo score of 115.

Columbia University

Academic Requirements

  • must hold a first law degree (generally defined as the degree which qualifies you to practice law in your jurisdiction).
  • Academic transcripts and letters of recommendation
  • strongly encourage applicants to obtain at least one year of full-time, post-law school work experience before applying.

English Language Requirements

  • A TOEFL score of 80 or more overall, an IELTS score of at least 6.5, or a Duolingo score of 115.

Top Law University in the USA: PhD in Law

Through a doctoral program aimed at producing a significant body of academic research, the Ph. D. in Law degree program is intended to prepare law graduates for careers as law professors and instructors.

A PhD in law program in the USA offers a variety of study specializations, such as comparative law, human rights law, maritime law, international environmental law, and more.

In the United States, a PhD typically takes 4-6 years to complete (full-time). Students work on their dissertation for two to four years after completing the academic part of their program.

Top Law University in the USA: PhD in Law( Program and Course Duration)

Few US law schools that provide a PhD in Law are among the top 10 worldwide. The top Law Universities in the USA with PhD in Law with program and course duration are listed below:

University

Program

Duration

Yale University

PhD in Law

3 years

The University of California, Berkeley (UCB)

Ph.D. (Jurisprudence & Social Policy- JSP Program)

5 years

Top Law University in the USA: PhD in Law( Tuition Fees)

Here is a list of Top Law Universities in the USA for PhD in Law with Tuition Fees:

University

Tuition Fees(Annual)

Yale University

$46,900

The University of California, Berkeley (UCB)

$26,544 ($5721   +  $7551)*2

PhD of Law in the USA: Academic Requirements

Yale University

Academic Requirements

  • Personal Statement
  • Research Proposal
  • Writing Sample
  • Letter of Recommendation
  • Test scores of the LSAT exam
  • Academic transcripts from all educational institutions attended
  • CV
  • Payment of non-refundable application fee

English Language Requirements

  • A TOEFL score of 80 or more overall or an IELTS score of at least 6.5 overall or a Duolingo score of 115 overall.

The University of California, Berkeley (UCB)

Academic Requirements

  • an applicant is required to have an academic degree acceptable at UC Berkeley
  • Completed admission application
  • Academic transcripts from all educational institutions attended
  • Scores of the GRE aptitude test 
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Statement of purpose
  • Personal statement
  • Sample of past written work

English Language Requirements

  • A TOEFL score of 80 or more overall, an IELTS score of at least 6.5, or a Duolingo score of 115.

100,000+ students achieved their study abroad dreams with us.  Start your journey today.

Statement of purpose (SOP) sample for Law

Top Law University in the USA: Scholarships

America is far more expensive than other international locations; thus, studying there can be very costly. Nevertheless, there are several financial choices available to aid students.

Top law schools in the US offer a few of the following scholarships for foreign students:

University

Scholarships/Award

Details

Harvard University

Employment Law Scholarship


Berman Law Group Legal Studies Scholarships

$1,000



$2,500

Yale University

Albertson & Davidson, LLP Scholarship


American Bar Association Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fund

$2,500



$15,000

The University of California, Berkeley (UCB)

Robert Barr Scholarship



Graduate Opportunity Fellowship (GOP)

$5,000 to $10,000



$10,000

New York University

Podell Global Graduate Legal Scholarship

Awarded to international LLM student covering full tuition

Georgetown University

John H. Jackson Moot Scholarship

candidates to receive 50% scholarships (to be applied towards tuition)

Top Law University in the USA: Career and Job Scope

In the United States, a legal job is enjoyable, adaptable, profitable, and satisfying. For overseas students interested in pursuing a legal profession in the USA, there are several specialities to select from. As an attorney, you can work in almost any area, from corporate law to criminal law, entertainment to the environment.

A graduate of a law program who works in the legal industry in the USA may expect to make approximately 96,000 USD a year. Legal industry salaries range from 52,000 USD to 149,000 USD annually.

Here are some job options for people with a law degree if you're an international student hoping to study law in the United States.

Job Position

Salary (Annum) Average

Lawyer

$85,000

Legal Counselor

$125,000

Chief Legal Officer

$200,000

Criminal Defense Lawyer

$110,000

Associate Attorney

$83,000

Tax Manager

$99,000

Corporate Lawyer

$150,000

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