University of Virginia School of Law: Ranking, Admissions, and Opportunities
The University of Virginia (UVA) School of Law is one of the most prestigious law schools in the United States, consistently earning high rankings and attracting top students. Founded in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson, UVA Law boasts a rich history and a commitment to providing a challenging and stimulating learning environment. This article delves into the school's rankings, admissions process, academic programs, career opportunities, and overall student experience.
National Rankings and Recognition
UVA Law consistently ranks among the top law schools in the nation. U.S. News & World Report currently ranks UVA Law No. 8, tying with Columbia University. UVA Law also fares well in other rankings. The 2025 Princeton Review rankings rated UVA Law as No. 1 in Best Professors, Best Classroom Experience, and Best Quality of Life, No. 5 in Best Career Prospects and No. 4 in the country in the percentage of Class of 2024 graduates who went directly to firms of 500 or more attorneys or to federal clerkships, according to American Bar Association data (based on full-time, long-term jobs). The company named it the No. 2 best value public university in the country, behind Georgia Tech, moving the school up one spot from last year.
It is worth noting that U.S. News & World Report delayed the release of its 2023-24 Best Graduate Schools list after several schools, including the UVA School of Law, suspended cooperation with the rankings.
Other notable UVA rankings include:
- No. 1 public school for financial aid
- No. 3 best value public school for students who don’t qualify for financial aid
- No. 4 best public school for career placement
Admissions: A Highly Competitive Process
As one of the top ten law schools in the nation, it is no surprise that UVA is highly competitive, with high LSAT score expectations. Based on the 2025 ABA 509 Report, 6734 candidates submitted JD applications to UVA Law School and 685 received acceptance letters. This means that of the 685 applicants who received law school acceptance letters, 302 chose to enroll.
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For a competitive law school application to UVA Law School, students should aim to meet or exceed the median statistics shown below.
- GPA: UVA Law ranks #1 in GPA composite (3.95), an average of its 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile GPAs (3.83 · 3.99 · 4.04).
- LSAT: UVA Law ranks #6 in LSAT composite (172.0), an average of its 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile LSAT scores (168 · 173 · 175).
- Acceptance Rate: A lower acceptance rate signifies a more selective institution.
UVA also accepts the GRE in lieu of the LSAT. For students who feel the LSAT would inaccurately reflect their skills and aptitude, writing the GRE might be a better option.
Academic Programs and Opportunities
The University of Virginia School of Law offers a comprehensive legal education with a wide array of programs and opportunities for its students. UVA currently offers thirteen dual degrees, twenty clinics, eight international exchange programs, and ten student-run academic journals, including the prestigious Virginia Law Review.
One of the first things students are made aware of is how "pulled together" UVA feels. “Everyone I spoke with in administration, as well as the faculty, was focused on making the law school an excellent place to learn and grow as a future lawyer,” says a 2L of his first visit. There is a wide variety of classes to choose from (including a selection of short courses in January), and there are “plenty of opportunities to get practical experience through a well-developed pro bono program” and the clinics. “For example, right now I'm taking an estate planning class where I actually get to draft wills and trusts under the guidance of two leading practitioners,” says a 2L.
UVA Law is particularly well-regarded in the following areas:
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- Constitutional Law (ranks seventh)
- Tax Law (ranks fifth)
- International Law (ranks ninth)
- Commercial and Criminal Law (ranks seventh)
Bar Passage and Employment Outcomes
UVA Law ranks #14 in terms of bar passage rate among first-time test takers (95.0%), and it outperforms by +12.2% the state of New York's overall bar passage rate of 82.8%. Luckily, the hard work and high costs required to attend this university pay off, as almost all alumni pass the bar, and 99.3% secure employment in less than a year after graduating!
No. 4 in the country in the percentage of Class of 2024 graduates who went directly to firms of 500 or more attorneys or to federal clerkships, according to American Bar Association data (based on full-time, long-term jobs).
Tuition and Financial Aid
Law school tuition at UVA Law School is $152k annually (calculated from semester costs). UVA Law ranks #44 in terms of highest tuition among full-time law students ($76,396).
The Princeton Review also named UVA the No. 1 public school for financial aid, highlighting the school's commitment to making legal education accessible.
Campus Life and Location
The Law School is located on North Grounds, about a mile from the UVA campus and next door to the Darden Graduate School of Business and the North Grounds Recreation Center. The student services wing of the law school building was “beautifully renovated” over the summer to expand the admissions, career services, and clinic offices, and the city of Charlottesville is “amazing.” There's “a lot to do around here for such a relatively small place,” including “great food, great music, UVA sports… [and] good hiking nearby,” and D.C. is just a couple of hours away.
Read also: Virginia Tech Overview
Faculty and Student Experience
The focus on the student experience is “apparent throughout the entire law school,” and the faculty is “incredibly accessible,” which gives students the “unparalleled” opportunity to rub elbows with “some of the best legal scholars in the nation.” Members of the faculty have previously served in high-level government positions or are former federal prosecutors, to name a few. Everyone is “friendly and helpful, from the Dean to the librarians to the people who work in the coffee shop.” The UVA peer advisory system, in which each 1L section is assigned six upper-class mentors to welcome them to school, helps ease new students into life at this “friendly, welcoming, and well-organized environment,” and provides guidance on “everything from learning how to brief cases to applying for jobs to navigating the social scene.” This type of mentorship “is invaluable” and “fosters UVA's famous sense of collegiality from year to year.” Classrooms are well-equipped with the latest technology, and there are “plenty of comfortable and well-lit places to study throughout the law school.”
Other Law Schools in Virginia
While UVA Law is the top-ranked law school in Virginia, the state is home to several other excellent institutions, each with its own strengths and unique offerings. Here are some of the other law schools in Virginia:
George Mason University, Antonin Scalia Law School (Arlington): This school ranks 28th in the nation and fifth for its part-time law programs. Located in close proximity to Washington, DC, and Northern Virginia, students are able to find an abundance of employment and internships! With 97% of graduates finding employment, it is clear that they reap the benefits of these amazing connections and employment opportunities. The cheapest law school in Virginia is George Mason University, Antonin Scalia Law School, where tuition costs $24,864 for in-state residents. Yes, George Mason University is the only law school on this list that offers a part-time program, but it is considered one of the best part-time programs in the country.
Washington and Lee University School of Law (Lexington): Despite being one of the nation’s smallest institutions, Washington and Lee has made a big name for itself in the legal field. Washington and Lee also has the third-largest number of ABA presidents produced by a single law school in the nation.
William & Mary Law School (Williamsburg): With a dedication to creating a more just world, this university is well known for its environmental law curriculum. It has a Virginia Coastal Policy Center practicum that teaches students about environmental law and general skills that are valuable to any area of law.
University of Richmond School of Law (Richmond): The University of Richmond has some of the best teacher-scholars in the nation that provide individualized learning to maximize the potential of each student. Richmond equips students with the knowledge and skills they need not only to excel in the field of law but to improve it!
Regent University School of Law (Virginia Beach): Regent University Law School offers a relatively accessible tuition rate. This combination of a competitive admission process and reasonable tuition fees makes Regent University Law School an attractive option for aspiring legal professionals looking to pursue their legal studies in a values-oriented academic environment.
Liberty University School of Law (Lynchburg): Liberty University School of Law is the easiest law school in Virginia to get into with a 59.09% acceptance rate. It also has a low median LSAT score of 153 and a low median GPA of 3.55. The school offers a relatively accessible admission process, welcoming a diverse pool of prospective students. In terms of tuition, the school maintains a competitive rate, which makes Liberty University Law School an appealing option for those seeking a faith-based legal education without the burden of high tuition fees.
Appalachian School of Law (Grundy): The Appalachian School of Law is priced quite reasonably, making it a competitive option for those seeking legal education without the financial strain of higher-priced institutions.
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