5 Best Law Schools in Georgia – 2025
March 13, 2025
Whether you鈥檙e looking to study law directly after college or after taking some years away from school, it鈥檚 worth having a look at law schools in Georgia. Known for its peaches, beautiful mountains, and vibrant cities, Georgia is also home to five unique law programs. With the bustling city of Atlanta, as well as Athens and Macon nearby, those who study at Georgia law schools have opportunities to gain experience working for prestigious law firms, Fortune 500 companies, government, and nonprofit organizations. Below you will find a ranking of the best law schools in Georgia, all five of which are accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA).
How To Choose the Best Law Schools in Georgia
We used the following factors to determine the best law schools in Georgia:
US News Ranking
US News ranks law schools according to their successful placement of graduates, faculty resources, achievements of entering students, and opinions of law professionals. The University of Georgia is in the Top 20 on this list, which makes it a competitive school for acceptance. Emory University, ranked #35, places in the Top 50 law schools. Georgia State University and Mercer University make it into the Top 100 list.
Median LSAT Score
As you read this list, pay close attention to the median LSAT scores (referring to the median score among entering students). If you have an LSAT score of 165, for example, you may have an easier time getting into Georgia State University than Emory or the University of Georgia. That said, university admissions consider a variety of factors, such as GPA, essays, and letters of recommendation, so this is not an absolute.
Median GPA
This also refers to the median undergraduate grade point average among entering law students. It is important to consider how these numbers compare to your GPA when applying to law school, but again, it鈥檚 only a median. Students are accepted with a range of GPAs.
Acceptance Rate
This tells you how many applicants the school accepts. This is another important factor when considering how likely you are to get into a particular program. Keep in mind that if a program is highly competitive, it can be difficult to be accepted even with top scores and great essays, so don鈥檛 be too hard on yourself!
Tuition
If you already live in Georgia, it might be cost-effective to attend law school at the University of Georgia or Georgia State University. Both offer less-expensive tuition options for Georgia residents. Atlanta鈥檚 John Marshall Law School also offers a part-time tuition option, which is nearly $20,000 less expensive than its full-time program. Though perhaps less immersive than a full-time program, the flexibility of a part-time program can be useful for law students who already work full-time jobs or have family responsibilities.
Areas of Focus
Below, you鈥檒l find 鈥淟aw School Specialties鈥 for each program, with several areas of focus listed. These are the areas of study that are ranked most highly by US News & World Report. So, if you鈥檙e thinking of pursuing a legal career centered around Trial Advocacy, the University of Georgia or Mercer University could be great options. Meanwhile, if you鈥檇 like to focus on Health Care Law, Georgia State University happens to have the top-ranked program in the United States.
What Are the Best Law Schools in Georgia?
In addition to the schools’ median LSAT scores, median GPA, acceptance rates, and tuition information, we’ve noted their academic areas of specialty. If you are thinking of eventually practicing law in Georgia, you should apply to a range of Georgia law schools.
1)
The School of Law at the University of Georgia has a host of expert faculty members. These include five former U.S. Supreme Court judicial clerks, multiple Fulbright Scholars, and a recipient of the American Law Institute Young Scholars Medal. The program offers students opportunities to enroll in joint degree programs with the Terry College of Business as well as the College of Education. With a focus on international law, this program also offers a range of study abroad opportunities, including the in Belgium. It is also a top school for on-the-job training, with 18 unique experiential learning offerings, including 2 semesters in practice (in Atlanta and Washington D.C.). As a Top 20 Law School, this program has an extremely high bar exam passage rate and sets students up for positions in prestigious law firms, corporations, and government departments.
- Location: Athens, GA
- Median LSAT Score: 169
- Median GPA: 3.83
- Acceptance Rate: 14.8%
- In-State Tuition: $18,994
- Out-of-State Tuition: $37,752
- Law School Specialties: Trial Advocacy, International Law, Business/Corporate Law, Contracts/Commercial Law, Clinical Training
2)
The School of Law at Emory University boasts an inclusive environment that foregrounds collaborative and interdisciplinary study. With a mission to 鈥減repare graduates to be able to drive societal impact in their community and worldwide,鈥 Emory takes pride in its contributions to change and progress, including Johnson Jr.鈥檚 landmark integration case before the Georgia Supreme Court. Here, law students are involved in legal journals, clinics, and service work, becoming part of the communities where they live and study. With such as the Barton Child Law and Policy Center and the Environmental and National Resources Law Program, students can attend in-depth seminars and conferences with leading legal scholars.
- Location: Atlanta, GA
- Median LSAT Score: 166
- Median GPA: 3.82
- Acceptance Rate: 40.9%
- Tuition: $64,414
- Law School Specialties: Contracts/Commercial Law, Business/Corporate Law, Constitutional Law, Health Care Law, Intellectual Property Law
3)
Another in-state program, the College of Law at Georgia State University is ranked #1 in US News for health care law. The program promotes law as a mechanism for problem-solving and the pursuit of justice. If you鈥檙e interested in healthcare law in particular, you should check out the , in which students partner with healthcare students and professionals for interdisciplinary training in the field, as well as the . In addition, Georgia State has an ultimate bar passage rate of nearly 94.3%, and a 88.2% employment rate (measured by employment 10 months after graduation).
- Location: Atlanta, GA
- Median LSAT Score: 159
- Median GPA: 3.56
- Acceptance Rate: 31%
- In-State Tuition: $17,202
- Out-of-State Tuition: $36,810
- Law School Specialties: Health Care Law (#1), Clinical Training, Trial Advocacy, Constitutional Law, Intellectual Property Law
Best Law Schools in Georgia (Continued)
4)
Mercer University鈥檚 Walter F. George School of Law offers experiential legal education programs and is ranked highly in Trial Advocacy and Legal Writing. It is the only school with a ). With the motto, 鈥減ractice with purpose,鈥 this program focuses on student and faculty interaction and experiential learning programs. For example, second- and third-year law students take advantage of externship programs, and third-year students can become certified to appear in court under the supervision of a practicing lawyer. All George School of Law students are required to take courses in skills such as interviewing, counseling, negotiation, mediation, and trial advocacy.
- Location: Macon, GA
- Median LSAT Score: 155
- Median GPA: 3.59
- Acceptance Rate: 47%
- Tuition: $43,132
- Law School Specialties: Trial Advocacy, Legal Writing
5)
Founded in 1933 as an independent institution, Atlanta鈥檚 John Marshall Law School鈥檚 mission is to provide high-quality legal education to students with diverse life experiences and professional backgrounds. The school provides options that allow students to control the pace of learning, fostering an inclusive educational environment. Students with an interest in criminal law can complete the , where they complete coursework and fieldwork in externships, from criminal courts to juvenile advocacy agencies and public defender offices.
- Location: Atlanta, GA
- Median LSAT Score: 150
- Median GPA: 3.19
- Acceptance Rate: 46.9%
- Full-Time Tuition: $52,006
- Part-Time Tuition: $31,868
- Law School Specialties: Trial Advocacy, Legal Writing, Intellectual Property Law, Criminal Law
Best Law Schools in Georgia – Final Thoughts
In conclusion, we hope you鈥檝e found this article useful as you continue your law school search. Remember, although these Georgia law schools are highly ranked, the best option for you may not be the highest on the list.
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