The 25 best public law schools in America

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Business Insider recently released its ranking of the 50 best law schools in America, which highlights the top institutions that prepare students to land highly coveted jobs in the legal world.

Our methodology draws data from the American Bar Association and focuses on the percentage of graduates who land full-time, long-term, highly coveted jobs, which includes positions at big law firms that pay well — those with over 251 employees — and federal clerkships. Read more about our methodology here.

While private law schools often get overarching recognition for superior academics, many competitive public law schools boast similar track records in placing students in highly coveted jobs.

These law schools deliver a first-rate legal education, often at a more affordable cost. The annual tuition for public schools on our list is $11,357 less on average than private schools — $43, 041 compared with $54,398.

Here, we highlight the top 25 public law schools from our ranking.

Additional reporting by Alexa Pipia.

25. Louisiana State University

Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Percent of graduates with highly coveted positions: 6%

Bar passage rate: 84%

Median LSAT score: 155

In addition to a traditional law degree in common law, Louisiana State University’s Paul M. Herbert Law Center also gives students the option to earn an additional degree in civil law, which the school describes as a “blend of Roman, Spanish, and French legal traditions.” After graduation, 70% of LSU law students secure full-time, long-term jobs that require passing the bar.

24. University of Kansas

Location: Lawrence, Kansas

Percent of graduates with highly coveted positions: 10%

Bar passage rate: 86%

Median LSAT score: 156

Law students at the University of Kansas can complete dual-degree programs in several areas, including business, journalism, and communications. Tuition for the public school is the third-lowest on our list at $35,328.

23. University of Washington

Location: Seattle, Washington

Percent of graduates with highly coveted positions: 16%

Bar passage rate: 84%

Median LSAT score: 164

The University of Washington’s law library is among the largest on the West Coast with more than 650,000 volumes aiding the school’s nationally recognized Law Librarianship program. Nearly 70% of graduates of the public school secured jobs that required passing the bar.