18 Best Law Schools in California in 2025
March 14, 2025
If you think you would like to practice law in California, you should consider applying to a range of law schools in California. Below, you鈥檒l find a list of American Bar Association (ABA) approved California law schools, ranked according to the US News & World Report. US News has ranked these 18 schools according to successful placement of graduates, faculty resources, achievements of entering students, and opinions of law professionals. What’s more, we’ve presented each school’s median LSAT scores, GPAs, acceptance rates, and tuition information. Finally, each entry provides some additional information on each law school, from location specifics to unique academic programs.
What Are the Best Law Schools in California?
With so many law schools in California to choose from, you might be wondering how to determine which ones would be the best fit for you. As you reflect, consider the following factors during your search:
Public or Private?
If you are already a California resident, it could be most cost-effective to attend a public California school, such as UC Berkeley, UCLA, or UC Irvine. Unsurprisingly, these schools offer considerably lower in-state tuition.
Full-time or Part-time?
A full-time program might be the most efficient and immersive way of completing a law degree. However, for many students who work full-time jobs or have families, part-time programs (which often offer flexible evening and summer courses) can make a law degree more feasible. Part-time programs generally cost less, while still offering excellent resources to students and graduating successful alumni across legal areas. (This being said, studying part-time will end up taking you longer to complete your degree.)
Location?
While programs in southern California place students in close proximity to the LA entertainment industry, schools in the San Francisco Bay Area provide access to Silicon Valley firms and corporations. No matter the location, excellent programs can be found in all areas, from international law to health care law to environmental law and more.
Qualifications?
As you read this list, pay close attention to the median LSAT scores and GPAs of entering students. If you have an LSAT score of 165, for example, you may qualify for schools in the top 10 on this list, but not the top 5. That said, this is not an absolute, since admissions consider a variety of factors.
Best ABA-Approved Law Schools in California
1)
With top three rankings in intellectual property law, criminal law, business/corporate law and constitutional law, Stanford ties with Yale University for the number one law school. That said, the program is student-centered, with a close-knit community and collaboration between students and faculty. What’s more, SLS students often build their own joint-degree programs as they take courses across campus, and they have access to unique interest areas such as american indian & indigenous law and international & comparative law.
- 尝辞肠补迟颈辞苍:听Stanford
- Median LSAT Score: 173
- Median GPA: 3.95
- Acceptance Rate: 7.3%
- Tuition: $73,713
- Law School Specialties: Intellectual Property Law, Criminal Law, Contracts/Commercial Law, Constitutional Law, Business/Corporate Law, Healthcare Law
2)
UC Berkeley does not use letter grades or GPAs, and students are not ranked against their peers. What’s more, the program offers specialized curricular programs in areas such as energy and clean technology law, as well as unique survey courses such as wine law. That said, with student-run clinics and opportunities to become locally involved, Berkeley is a great school for those who want to practice law in the Bay Area after graduating.
- Location: Berkeley
- Median LSAT Score: 170
- Median GPA: 3.87
- Acceptance Rate: 14.9%
- In-State Tuition: $62,603
- Out-of-State Tuition: $75,031
- Law School Specialties: Intellectual Property Law, Environmental Law, Clinical Training, Business/Corporate Law, Constitutional Law
3)
The UCLA School of Law has close to 20 clinics for students to get hands-on legal experience. What’s more, it offers 20 research centers and programs, including the Williams Institute on Sexual Orientation Law and Public Policy. Unsurprisingly, this program promises an immersive, inventive, and intellectually challenging approach to learning.
- 尝辞肠补迟颈辞苍:听Los Angeles
- Median LSAT Score: 170
- Median GPA: 3.92
- Acceptance Rate: 16.8%
- In-State Tuition: $56,455
- Out-of-State Tuition: $68,700
- Law School Specialties: Environmental Law, Trial Advocacy, Tax Law, Contracts/Commercial Law, Intellectual Property Law, Business/Corporate Law
4)
One of the oldest law schools in California, the USC Gould School of Law was established in 1896. What’s more, it is also known for its innovative curriculum and diverse student population, as it was one of the first law schools to enroll women, racial/ethnic minority students, and international students.
- 尝辞肠补迟颈辞苍:听Los Angeles
- Median LSAT Score: 169
- Median GPA: 3.88
- Acceptance Rate: 12.5%
- Tuition: $78,046
- Law School Specialties: Business/Corporate Law, Contracts/Commercial Law, Environmental Law, Tax Law
5)
UC Irvine is known for offering a high-quality clinical education as well as the opportunity to participate in pro bono work throughout the three years of the program. What’s more, students provide over 60,000 volunteer hours performing legal services for those who would not otherwise afford them.
- 尝辞肠补迟颈辞苍:听Irvine
- Median LSAT Score: 167
- Median GPA: 3.72
- Acceptance Rate: 18.2%
- In-State Tuition: $56,025
- Out-of-State Tuition: $68,270
- Law School Specialties: Clinical Training, Tax Law, Legal Writing, Intellectual Property Law, Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, International Law
6)
The Rick J. Caruso School of Law is located on Pepperdine鈥檚 scenic Malibu campus, and offers opportunities for students to earn joint degrees with in business and management, divinity, or public policy. What’s more, this program boasts a highly ranked specialty in dispute resolution, and students often join legal journals and a variety of special institutes and programs. While Pepperdine鈥檚 School of Law is affiliated with the Church of Christ and is dedicated to expressing Christian principles, students of all faiths are welcome.
- 尝辞肠补迟颈辞苍:听Malibu
- Median LSAT Score: 164
- Median GPA: 3.86
- Acceptance Rate: 28.2%
- Tuition: $68,046
- Law School Specialties: Dispute Resolution, Tax Law, Clinical Training, International Law, Constitutional Law
听7)听
This law school, located in downtown LA, has full-time and part-time options. What’s more, its proximity to entertainment industry companies means that students have the opportunity to complete an entertainment law practicum. In this way, students get hands-on experience with employers such as Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros. Television.
- Location: Los Angeles
- Median LSAT Score: 161
- Median GPA: 3.71
- Acceptance Rate: 33.9%
- Full-Time Tuition: $65,912
- Part-Time Tuition: $44,106
- Law School Specialties: Trial Advocacy, Tax Law, Criminal Law, Legal Writing
听8)听
This program is located in close proximity to local state and federal courts and offers hands-on training in legal clinics and simulation courses. What’s more, the school emphasizes legal writing, with students taking a small-group writing course their first year and writing a substantial legal paper before graduation.
- Location: San Francisco
- Median LSAT Score: 160
- Median GPA: 3.59
- Acceptance Rate: 30.9%
- In-State Tuition: $48, 273
- Out-of-State Tuition: $55,207
- Law School Specialties: Dispute Resolution, Health Care Law, Environmental Law, Tax Law
听9)
UC Davis Law students have the option to spend a semester in Washington D.C. and complete externships through a UC system offered to law students at UC Davis, UC Berkeley, and UCLA. What’s more, this program is home to centers for research and policy including the California International Law Center and the California Environmental Law and Policy Center.
- Location: Davis
- Median LSAT Score: 165
- Median GPA: 3.69
- Acceptance Rate: 29%
- In-State Tuition: $57,183
- Out-of-State Tuition: $67,163
- Law School Specialties: Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, Environmental Law, Business/Corporate Law, Intellectual Property Law, International Law
10)
Another program with full-time and part-time options, the University of San Diego School of Law offers joint degree programs with the School of Business Administration and the Department of Political Science and International Relations. What’s more, students can find opportunities through USD centers and institutes, including the Energy Policy Initiatives Center, the Children鈥檚 Advocacy Institute, the Center for the Study of Constitutional Originalism, and the Institute for Law and Philosophy. Furthermore, the school also offers study abroad programs in London, Barcelona, Florence, and Paris.
- Location: San Diego
- Median LSAT Score: 161
- Median GPA: 3.8
- Acceptance Rate: 33.6%
- Full-Time Tuition: $62,981
- Part-Time Tuition: $46,671
- Law School Specialties: Tax Law, Constitutional Law, Intellectual Property Law, Business/Corporate Law
听11)
The Fowler School of Law boasts a distinguished faculty, collegial environment, and enviable location in Southern California. What’s more, faculty members include former U.S. Supreme Court Clerks, a Nobel Prize winner, and a former five-term U.S. congressman. That said, with a personal and hands-on approach to legal training, Chapman University could be a great fit for those looking to study law full- or part-time.
- 尝辞肠补迟颈辞苍:听Orange
- Median LSAT Score: 161
- Median GPA: 3.67
- Acceptance Rate: 30.7%
- Full-Time Tuition: $61, 354
- Part-Time Tuition: $49,028
- Law School Specialties: Trial Advocacy, Legal Writing, Dispute Resolution
12)
This program boasts its inclusive community and approachable faculty. Furthermore, located in the center of LA, students can access work in courts, as well as the entertainment industry. Ever better, students can choose to either follow a broad-based or personalized law curriculum focusing on a personal area, while choosing from over 200 elective courses.
- 尝辞肠补迟颈辞苍:听Los Angeles
- Median LSAT Score: 155
- Median GPA: 3.44
- Acceptance Rate: 49.9%
- Full-Time Tuition: $58,537
- Part-Time Tuition: $39,042
- Law School Specialties: Dispute Resolution, Intellectual Property Law, Contracts/Commercial Law
13)
The McGeorge School of Law is based in California鈥檚 capital city, which has shaped its development as a strong program in public and international law. What’s more, the school offers online graduate programs, which still allow for interaction with McGeorge classmates and faculty, making it a great option for maximum student flexibility.
- 尝辞肠补迟颈辞苍:听Sacramento
- Median LSAT Score: 155
- Median GPA: 3.4
- Acceptance Rate: 55.3%
- Full-Time Tuition: $59,580
- Part-Time Tuition: $39,517
- Law School Specialties: Trial Advocacy, Legal Writing, Dispute Resolution, International Law
14)
Located in the San Francisco Bay Area, this law school places students in reach of a variety of Silicon Valley corporations and law firms. That said, students can enroll in full-time programs or in part-time evening, summer, or semester programs to fit their already-busy schedules. What’s more, the program offers a high-tech law curriculum, as well as a biotech law curriculum. It is recognized for its highly ranked for intellectual property law program.
- Location: Santa Clara
- Median LSAT Score: 159
- Median GPA: 3.55
- Acceptance Rate: 52.4%
- Full-Time Tuition: $58,464
- Part-Time Tuition: $45,936
- Law School Specialties: Intellectual Property Law, International Law, Legal Writing, Tax Law, Business/Corporate Law
15)
The School of Law at the University of San Francisco provides opportunities for students to work closely with local firms in many areas, from tech law in Silicon Valley to immigration law in clinics throughout the Bay Area. Interestingly, this program values both rigorous research and mindful practices.
- Location: San Francisco
- Median LSAT Score: 153
- Median GPA: 3.46
- Acceptance Rate: 55.2%
- Full-Time Tuition: $54,250
- Law School Specialties: Health Care Law, Environmental Law, International Law, Intellectual Property Law, Tax Law, Clinical Training
听16)听
This program promotes creative problem-solving and the combining of legal theory and practice. At the same time, as the oldest law school in San Diego, its mission is to 鈥渢rain ethical, competent and compassionate lawyers, representative of our diverse society, who can use the law effectively and creatively.鈥� What’s more, the program offers a variety of clinics, such as the California Innocence Project and New Media Rights, through which students can graduate already having experience with real-world clients and cases.
- 尝辞肠补迟颈辞苍:听San Diego
- Median LSAT Score: 153
- Median GPA: 3.38
- Acceptance Rate: 55.4%
- Full-Time Tuition: $60,430
- Part-Time Tuition: $45,230
- Law School Specialties: Legal Writing, International Law, Intellectual Property Law, Trial Advocacy, Health Care Law
17)
The School of Law at Golden Gate University boasts small classes and a dedicated staff, with structures in place to support students with career development and bar exam preparation. What’s more, the school is ranked as one of the top programs for diversity in the U.S., offering training for students to become 鈥渆xceptional lawyers and socially conscious members of the global community.鈥�
- 尝辞肠补迟颈辞苍:听San Francisco
- Median LSAT Score: 153
- Median GPA: 3.28
- Acceptance Rate: 22.4%
- Full-Time Tuition: $42,170
- Part-Time: $31,670
- Law School Specialties: Environmental Law, Trial Advocacy, Clinical Training
18)
With flexible weekend and evening programs, this law program has alumni across public and private sector legal practice areas, including 150 California judges. What’s more, located in southern California, the program is known for its small classes and personal attention from teaching-focused faculty.
- Location: Irvine
- Median LSAT Score: 152
- Median GPA: 3.16
- Acceptance Rate: 45.1%
- Full-Time Tuition: $49,040
- Part-Time Tuition: $32,760
- Law School Specialties: Business/Corporate Law, Environmental Law, Tax Law
Best Law Schools in California – Additional Resources
We hope you have enjoyed this article on the best California law schools. To this end, you may also enjoy the following law school content from 国产第一福利影院草草:
