Law School Rankings (U.S. News Best Graduate Schools)

In the 2018 edition of U.S. News & World Report's “America’s Best Graduate Schools,” Yale Law School, Stanford Law School, and Harvard Law School continued to dominate the rankings, with Yale maintaining its position at No. 1, Stanford securing the No. 2 spot, and Harvard, which had held the second place for many years, dropping to No. 3. This shift in the rankings reflected the ongoing competition and prestige of these top institutions, and their standing continued to influence not only prospective students but also the broader legal landscape.

Yale Law School’s consistent position at the top is a testament to its unique academic philosophy and its continued emphasis on intellectual rigor and public service. Yale is renowned for its highly selective admissions process, its small class size, and its unique approach to legal education that emphasizes a close-knit, collaborative environment. The law school’s curriculum is notably flexible, allowing students to engage deeply with legal theory and practical legal issues, without being bound by traditional grading structures or overly rigid course requirements. Yale Law has long been known for producing highly influential scholars, policymakers, and legal professionals. The school’s focus on public law, constitutional law, and human rights further strengthens its position as a leader in legal education, and its global reputation continues to attract the brightest minds from around the world.

Stanford Law School, which held the second spot in 2018, has built a reputation for being a cutting-edge institution that is highly attuned to the evolving demands of the legal profession. Stanford is unique in its focus on interdisciplinary education, often blending law with fields such as business, technology, and environmental policy. Its proximity to Silicon Valley and the tech industry further enhances its appeal, particularly for those interested in intellectual property, technology law, and entrepreneurship. Stanford Law is also recognized for its strong emphasis on experiential learning, offering students numerous opportunities for hands-on practice through clinics, externships, and innovative teaching methods. While the school is known for its academic excellence, it also places a strong emphasis on practical training, preparing graduates for the complexities of modern legal practice. As a result, Stanford Law School’s ranking at No. 2 reflects its commitment to both academic excellence and real-world impact.

Harvard Law School’s drop to No. 3 in 2018 did not diminish its prestige or influence. Harvard remains one of the largest and most well-known law schools in the world, with a vast network of alumni, many of whom occupy significant positions in government, business, and academia. Harvard’s curriculum is comprehensive, offering students a wide range of electives, joint degree programs, and specialized tracks in nearly every area of law, from international law to environmental law to corporate law. Harvard Law’s faculty is one of the most distinguished in the world, with numerous professors holding important roles in legal practice, policy, and scholarship. The school’s enormous resources, including its extensive library and research centers, further enhance its ability to provide students with a world-class legal education. While Harvard’s drop to third place in the 2018 rankings may be seen as a symbolic shift, it remains a dominant force in legal education and continues to attract top-tier students and faculty from across the globe.

As the rankings are determined not only by academic reputation but also by student satisfaction, employment outcomes, faculty quality, and other factors, it is important to consider how the broader legal landscape is shifting. Although the top three law schools—Yale, Stanford, and Harvard—continue to maintain a firm grip on the upper echelons of legal education, other law schools are making significant strides in their rankings, reflecting a more diverse and competitive landscape for aspiring legal professionals.

One such law school is Fordham University, which was ranked No. 36 in the 2018 U.S. News rankings. Fordham’s standing in the rankings is a result of its high academic standards, its focus on experiential learning, and its strong reputation in areas such as dispute resolution and intellectual property law. The school’s part-time evening program, which is popular among working professionals, was ranked No. 3 out of 81 such programs, underscoring Fordham’s commitment to providing flexible and high-quality legal education. The success of Fordham Law School can be attributed to its vibrant student body, strong faculty, and its central location in New York City, which offers students unparalleled opportunities for internships, externships, and employment in some of the world’s largest legal markets.

In addition to Fordham, other law schools have experienced significant improvements in their rankings, particularly those with strong clinical programs, specialized areas of study, and unique offerings. Rutgers Law School, for example, saw a remarkable 30-position improvement in its 2018 rankings, rising from No. 92 to No. 62. This surge in Rutgers’ ranking is one of the largest in recent memory, highlighting the school’s growing reputation for academic excellence, as well as its commitment to enhancing its faculty and research output. The law school’s improvement in its rankings reflects its increasing ability to attract talented students, faculty, and resources, and its continued dedication to providing high-quality legal education in a diverse and inclusive environment.

The University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa (UH) Law School also made significant strides in the 2018 rankings, securing a top spot for diversity. Ranked No. 1 for diversity, UH Law stands out for its efforts to create an inclusive and supportive environment for students from a variety of backgrounds. Its focus on diversity and inclusion is not only a testament to the school’s commitment to social justice but also to the growing importance of these factors in legal education. UH Law School’s diversity is reflected in its student body, faculty, and programs, and it continues to attract students who are passionate about serving underserved communities and addressing global legal challenges. Additionally, the school’s Evening Part-Time program was ranked 29th in the nation, making it a strong contender for students seeking a flexible legal education in one of the most culturally rich and diverse regions of the world.

Catholic University’s Columbus School of Law was ranked No. 106 in the 2018 U.S. News rankings. While this ranking places the school outside the top 100, it still represents a solid position in the competitive legal education landscape. Catholic University’s law school is known for its strong focus on practical training and its commitment to public service. The school’s part-time J.D. program was ranked 24th in the country, and its clinical training program was ranked 30th, underscoring the school’s emphasis on providing hands-on, real-world legal experience to students.