Best Law Schools in Oregon in 2025

Pursuing law requires extreme discipline, sacrifice, and lots of coffee! Whether it's criminal, accident, or entertainment law, becoming a lawyer is a lengthy process—which is why you need to carefully consider which classrooms you're going to spend the next three years of your life in.

Law schools in Oregon offer students practical skills and an entry point to the dynamic world of legalities and advocates. Your choice in law school will determine what clinics and professors you have access to, which nearby firms you can network with, and who you're going to rub elbows with in lectures and internships.

This article is all about law schools in Oregon and how they'll shape your legal career. Here at Bold.org, we’re dedicated to helping you navigate your education and career choices. In this guide, we’ll break down:

• Differences between top law schools in Oregon
• The Oregon State Bar Exam
• What happens after the bar exam
• Alternatives to law school

These are all factors you'll need to consider to decide which Oregon law school is right for you. Some people just have the knack for legal knowledge, and if you're one of them, you'll want to tune in and discover which top law school in Oregon will give you the best shot at success.

If you're interested in pursuing law, sign up for a Bold.org profile to access scholarships and other student guides for your legal studies!

Top Law Schools in Oregon

When heading to law school, you want to make sure your choice of institution aligns with your career goals and supports your academic goals. In the state of Oregon, there are only three nationally ranked programs that offer a range of programs and specializations.

1. The University of Oregon Law School

Acceptance Rate: 75.2%

Median GPA: 3.5

Average Tuition: $48,516

Founded in 1884, the University of Oregon School of Law is one of the oldest law schools in the Pacific Northwest. UO Law School is the largest public research university in the state and is known for its Legal Research and Writing program—students interested in legal writing should strongly consider this school.

2. Lewis & Clark School of Law

Acceptance Rate: 67.9%

Median GPA: 3.58

Average Tuition: $56, 296

Located in Portland, Oregon, Lewis & Clark Law School is known for its focus on environmental law, animal law, and public interest law. They rank as one of the top law schools in the state for their legal education and connections to a robust legal community.

3. Willamette University College of Law 

Acceptance Rate: 69%

Median GPA: 3.26

Average Tuition: $50, 944

Willamette University College of Law offers a top education with strengths in dispute resolution, business law, and public service. Located in Salem, this school is right next door to the Oregon Supreme Court and Oregon Capitol, offering students access to governmental law institutions.

Taking on the moral and ethical responsibilities of a lawyer means being passionate about justice. Do you think you're up for the challenge? It all starts with funding, so apply for law school scholarships today!

Law School Programs

The type of legal program you're looking for will also influence your choice. Different law programs include:

• Juris Doctor (JD) Program: a postgraduate three-year degree program that is challenging, inspiring, and gratifying.
• Master of Laws (LLM) Program: a graduate law degree program for students who want to specialize in a specific area of law and advance in their careers.
• Concurrent Degree Programs: allows students to earn two degrees at once.

Thinking of applying for law school? Factors like your major and previous practical experiences can affect your chances. Read about the best majors for law school to plan ahead.

Alternative Options to Law School

Though going to law school is the most common route to practice law, Oregon does offer an alternative option through the Law Clerk Program, a postgraduate apprenticeship to work directly with a lawyer or judge.

This year-long program provides graduates the opportunity to assist in real-world cases, perform legal research, and draft legal documents. Instead of attending lectures, you will learn law practices under the supervision of a licensed lawyer or judge.

Participating in a law clerk program does not make you a licensed lawyer once the program is complete. This program is meant to be a stepping stone towards becoming licensed to practice law. If you're unsure about committing to law school right away, take a look at the full range of scholarships and apply for funding today!

The Oregon State Bar Exam

After law school, you will begin applying for the Oregon State Bar Exam. The Oregon Bar Exam is administered twice a year, in February and July. It involves applying to the Oregon Board of Bar Examiners and providing proof of education, character, and knowledge to practice law. Students are subject to exam fees.

The Oregon Bar Exam is a two-day exam.

• Day One: Multistate Essay Exam (MEE) and Multistate Performance Test (MPT)
• Day Two: Multistate Bar Exam (MBE)

The MEE will be six 30-minute questions that need to be answered in essay format to show you can separate relevant and irrelevant information, identify legal issues in a hypothetical situation, and provide a well-written analysis of these issues.

The MPT, administered in two 90-minute sessions, will ask you to draft a legal document for a scenario a new lawyer might encounter. This is a fundamental test of skills all lawyers should possess regardless of their legal concentration.

The MBE is a 200-question multiple-choice exam. It's divided into two 3-hour sections, each with 100 questions. You'll be tested on Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law & Procedure, Evidence, Real Property, and Torts.

The Oregon State Bar will also conduct a character and fitness review. This includes a thorough background check on your criminal history, past legal issues, and educational credential verification.

Keep in mind: Once admitted to the Oregon Bar, you must also earn a certain number of Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits every three years to maintain your license to practice law.

Frequently Asked Questions About Law Schools in Oregon

What LSAT do I need to get into a top law school?

The LSAT isn't the only factor that determines your acceptance, but we'll list the average scores for each school as a benchmark. If you're interested in attending these schools, try applying for these scholarships in Oregon to accrue funding.

• University of Oregon School of Law: 158
• Lewis & Clark Law School: 160
• Willamette University College of Law: 152

What career opportunities are available to graduates of Oregon law schools?

Once you’ve passed the Oregon Bar Exam, you are able to seek professional opportunities at law firms. However, as postgraduates with little to no real-world legal experience, consider seeking other opportunities to help build skills first, such as pro-bono work and fellowships, before applying to the many legal firms based in Oregon.

How do I know which law school is best for me?

The only law school that will feel right for you is the one that supports your legal interests and professional goals. Make sure they offer programs in the area of law you're interested in and have a clinic or other practical training opportunities in that field as well.

Learn how you can fund your way through law school with other smart guides on our scholarship blog for students who want to save big.