USNWR Top 100 Law Schools

The US News & World Report’s annual rankings have become a critical reference for prospective law students, law firms, and educators alike. The 2011 US News rankings of the top law schools continued to reflect the dominance of a few prestigious institutions, while also highlighting the rise of some schools that had made significant strides. Among the most notable names were Yale, Harvard, and Stanford, which maintained their positions as the top three law schools in the country. However, the 2011 rankings also brought attention to law schools that had experienced remarkable improvements, while others had seen their rankings decline or even dropped out of the top 100 entirely.

Yale Law School, consistently ranked as one of the best law schools in the United States, secured the top position once again in the 2011 US News rankings. Yale has long been synonymous with academic excellence and a rigorous legal education. Its distinguished faculty, innovative programs, and selective admissions process make it a highly sought-after institution for aspiring legal professionals. The law school’s commitment to interdisciplinary studies, clinical opportunities, and a student-centered approach has made it a beacon of legal education in the United States. Yale’s small class sizes and emphasis on scholarly achievement continue to make it an attractive destination for students who aspire to become leaders in both the legal profession and society at large.

Harvard Law School followed closely behind Yale in second place. As one of the most prestigious and well-established law schools in the world, Harvard has consistently been a top contender in the US News rankings. The law school’s vast resources, world-renowned faculty, and expansive network of alumni contribute to its reputation as a global leader in legal education. Harvard’s unique combination of theoretical knowledge and practical skills training, along with its cutting-edge research, attracts top-tier students from around the world. With a rich history of producing influential legal scholars, judges, and practitioners, Harvard Law School’s continued presence at the top of the rankings speaks to its enduring influence on the legal profession.

In third place was Stanford Law School, which has consistently maintained a strong position among the top law schools in the United States. Known for its focus on innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship, Stanford offers students a unique blend of rigorous legal education and opportunities for practical experience in emerging fields such as intellectual property law, technology law, and environmental law. The law school’s proximity to Silicon Valley provides students with unparalleled access to internships and job opportunities in the technology and business sectors. Additionally, Stanford’s commitment to interdisciplinary studies and its emphasis on public service and social justice have contributed to its consistently high rankings. With a strong faculty, a diverse student body, and a forward-thinking approach to legal education, Stanford continues to attract the brightest minds in the legal field.

However, the 2011 rankings also highlighted several law schools that had made significant improvements in their standings, signaling a shift in the legal education landscape. One of the most notable success stories was George Washington University Law School, which made a remarkable leap into the top 20, moving up eight places from its 2010 position. This improvement reflects the law school’s efforts to enhance its academic offerings, expand its clinical programs, and strengthen its faculty. George Washington’s emphasis on public law, international law, and political advocacy, along with its strategic location in Washington, D.C., has made it a highly attractive destination for students interested in government and public interest law. Its strong ties to the political and legal communities in the nation’s capital, coupled with its growing reputation for excellence, have contributed to its rise in the rankings.

Another law school that saw notable improvements in the 2011 rankings was UC-Davis School of Law, which rose seven places to tie for 28th in the rankings. This surge reflects UC-Davis’s continued commitment to providing a comprehensive legal education that balances academic rigor with practical training. The law school’s focus on areas such as environmental law, public interest law, and social justice, as well as its strong faculty and diverse student body, has made it an increasingly attractive choice for prospective law students. UC-Davis’s rise in the rankings is a testament to its ability to adapt to changing trends in legal education and to provide students with the tools necessary to succeed in today’s competitive legal market.

The University of Georgia School of Law also saw a notable jump in the 2011 rankings, moving up seven places to tie for 28th. This improvement can be attributed to Georgia Law’s robust academic programs, strong faculty, and a growing emphasis on experiential learning. With a strong focus on business law, environmental law, and public interest law, Georgia Law offers a well-rounded education that prepares its graduates for a wide range of legal careers. The law school’s strategic location in the Southeast, its extensive alumni network, and its growing reputation for excellence have contributed to its rise in the rankings.

Similarly, the University of Wisconsin Law School saw a seven-place improvement, moving into a tie for 28th place. Known for its strong emphasis on public service, environmental law, and social justice, Wisconsin Law has earned a reputation for producing graduates who are committed to making a positive impact on society. The law school’s comprehensive curriculum, paired with its extensive clinical and externship opportunities, has helped it attract high-caliber students who are passionate about pursuing careers in public interest law and social advocacy.

A particularly noteworthy story in the 2011 rankings was Arizona State University School of Law, which made a dramatic leap of 17 places to 38th, entering the top tier of law schools. Arizona State Law’s rise in the rankings was the result of its focus on expanding its academic offerings, increasing faculty quality, and strengthening its ties to the business and legal communities in the Southwest. The law school’s strategic location in Phoenix, coupled with its focus on law and business, intellectual property, and criminal law, has helped it build a strong reputation for producing graduates who are well-equipped to handle the challenges of the modern legal marketplace.

The University of Colorado School of Law also saw an improvement, moving up seven places to tie for 38th. Known for its strong programs in environmental law, business law, and public interest law, Colorado Law offers students a diverse and rigorous legal education. The law school’s commitment to experiential learning, coupled with its faculty’s expertise in cutting-edge legal fields, has contributed to its continued rise in the rankings.

On the other hand, some schools experienced setbacks in the 2011 rankings, with several law schools dropping out of the top 100. The University at Buffalo School of Law, which had been ranked in the top 100 in previous years, was notably absent from the 2011 rankings. Similarly, law schools such as Marquette University, the University of South Carolina, Saint Louis University, the University of Louisville, Gonzaga University, and the University of Maine also dropped out of the top 100. These declines can be attributed to a variety of factors, including changes in faculty quality, academic reputation, bar passage rates, and employment outcomes for graduates.

The 2011 US News rankings also underscored the growing competition among law schools to improve their academic programs, expand their clinical opportunities, and provide students with the resources and support they need to succeed in an increasingly competitive legal market. As the legal profession continues to evolve, law schools must adapt by embracing new methodologies in legal education, fostering stronger connections with legal employers, and preparing graduates for a rapidly changing professional landscape. For prospective law students, these rankings serve as a valuable tool for making informed decisions about where to pursue their legal education, while also providing a glimpse into the trends shaping the future of legal education in the United States.

US News Ranking of Top 100 law schools (2011):
1. Yale
2. Harvard
3. Stanford
4. Columbia
5. Chicago
6. NYU
7. UC-Berkeley
7. Penn
9. Michigan
10. Virginia
11. Duke
11. Northwestern
13. Cornell
14. Georgetown
15. UC-Los Angeles
15. Texas
17. Vanderbilt
18. USC
19. Washington University – St. Louis
20. George Washington
21. Illinois
22. Boston University
22. Emory
22. Minnesota
22. Notre Dame
26. Iowa
27. Indiana-Bloomington
28. Boston College
28. William & Mary
28. UC-Davis
28. Georgia
28. North Carolina
28. Wisconsin
34. Fordham
34. Ohio State
34. Washington
34. Washington & Lee
38. Arizona State
38. Alabama
38. Colorado
38. Wake Forest
42. Brigham Young
42. George Mason
42. Arizona
42. UC-Hastings
42. Utah
47. Florida
48. American
48. SMU
48. Tulane
48. Maryland
52. Pepperdine
52. Yeshiva – Cardozo
54. Florida State
54. Connecticut
56. Case Western Reserve
56. Loyola – Los Angeles/Marymount
56. Cincinnati
56. San Diego
60. Georgia State
60. Houston
60. Miami
60. Tennessee
64. Baylor
64. Lewis & Clark
64. Kentucky
67. Brooklyn
67. Kansas
67. New Mexico
67. Pittsburgh
67. Villanova
72. Pennyslvania State
72. Seton Hall
72. St. John’s
72. Temple
72. Hawai’i
72. Oklahoma
78. Loyola – Chicago
78. Nevada-Las Vegas
80. Chicago-Kent
80. Louisiana State
80. Rutgers-Camden
80. Rutgers-Newark
80. Denver
80. Oregon
86. Hofstra
86. Indiana-Indianapolis
86. Northeastern
86. Seattle
86. Syracuse
86. Arkansas-Fayetteville
86. Richmond
93. Chapman
93. Santa Clara
93. Missouri-Columbia
93. Nebraska
93. West Virginia
98. Catholic
98. DePaul
98. San Francisco
98. Pacific
98. William Mitchell