Best Law Schools in California

Law is one of the world's most respected and highly regarded professions. It is a field that requires in-depth knowledge, analytical thinking, and strong problem-solving skills. Different types of lawyers specialize in different legal fields, such as corporate law, environmental law, tax law, family law, criminal law, and intellectual property law. Completing law school gives you the knowledge and skills to pass the bar exam.

If you want to become a lawyer, you should plan on completing law school to earn your Juris Doctor (J.D.). This degree is typically a three-year program. Besides a J.D. degree, there are two other degrees offered by some law schools. One is the J.S.D. or S.J.D. degree (Doctor of Science of Law), a research-focused degree comparable to a Ph.D. in law. The other degree is an LL.M., an advanced graduate degree only available to those who already hold a basic law degree, either domestic or from an overseas jurisdiction.

California is home to several top-ranked law schools that attract students from all over the country and worldwide. The American Bar Association accredits 18 law schools in California. Whether you're interested in practicing law in the public sector, or the private sector, or pursuing an academic career, many schools in California can provide you with the education and skills you need to succeed.

In this article, we will take a closer look at some of the best law schools in California. This list was created using the information collected from each school website and the U.S. News. If you are considering going to law school and need tuition assistance, Bold.org has plenty of scholarships to help you get your degree. Create a profile and start applying for our scholarships on our website.

Stanford Law School

Stanford University is a higher education institution located in Stanford, California. Stanford Law School is one of the best law schools in the U.S. Very few law schools have the prestige that Stanford Law has, and only 6.28 percent of applicants are accepted.

Only 575 students are accepted into Stanford Law School every year. It offers a highly selective J.D. program and a variety of advanced degrees, including LL.M. and J.S.D. programs that focus on a broad range of legal topics, including constitutional law, international law, and intellectual property law.

Students who attend Stanford's Law School must pay a yearly tuition of $66,924. Financial assistance is determined based on demonstrated financial need. Approximately 75 to 80 percent of students receive some form of financial aid.

University of California, Berkeley School of Law

U.C. Berkeley is one of the public schools in California's school system. U.C. Berkeley's School of Law, also called Boalt Hall, has 1,088 students. U.C. Berkeley School of Law's yearly tuition is $62,432 for in-state students and $74,825 for out-of-state students.

Boalt Hall is known for its strong emphasis on public interest law. The law school offers a highly-ranked J.D. program that allows students to work on issues related to social justice, civil rights, and environmental law. In addition to its J.D. program, Boalt Hall offers LL.M. and J.S.D. programs that attract students from around the world. The law school also offers a Public Interest Law and Policy program that provides students with the skills and knowledge needed to work in the public sector.

University of California, Los Angeles School of Law

Located in Los Angeles, UCLA School of Law is known for its strong programs in entertainment law, critical race studies, and public interest law. It offers a highly-ranked J.D. program and several advanced degrees. The yearly cost of attending law school at UCLA law school is $56,511 for California residents and $68,756 for non-residents.

With a total enrollment of 1,038 students, UCLA School of Law offers a highly-ranked J.D. program focusing on practical training and interdisciplinary education. Students can earn joint degrees through departments such as the Anderson School of Management or the UCLA Center for African American Studies.

University of Southern California (U.S.C.) - Gould School of Law

University of Southern California Gould School of Law is a private law school in Los Angeles. The total enrollment at U.S.C. Gould's School of Law is 613. The tuition costs $76,438 per year.

The law school offers a J.D. program and LL.M. and J.S.D. programs. One of the unique features of the U.S.C. Gould School of Law is its location in Los Angeles, which provides students with ample opportunities to work with entertainment companies and law firms. Students can also pursue interdisciplinary research and take courses in other fields.