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 |
|
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.
|
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 |