The US currently has over 230 law schools, 200 accredited and the rest unaccredited. The T14 law schools are highly rated and the dream of many law students.
These schools have everything you need to become a top attorney: a high percentage of successful job placement rates, high LSAT and GPAs, a standard reputation, below-average bar passage rates, and many other qualities.
While some schools are highly rated, some are the exact opposite. These schools have low GPAs, poor job placement rates, low employment rates, and other unimpressive stats. Simply put, attending these law schools isn’t worth it.
This article will educate you on some law schools that you should avoid. You’ll also learn some insightful tips to help you select the perfect one.
The Worst Law Schools in the US
Unaccredited law schools shouldn’t be among your options when attending a law school. An unaccredited law school hasn’t done enough to prove to the ABA that they have what it takes to prepare students to become qualified legal attorneys. Additionally, most states of the US won’t let you take the bar exam if you didn’t graduate from an ABA-accredited law school.
1. Ave Maria School of Law
Ave Maria School of Law is one school you should avoid. Over 740 students applied for the school in 2022, and 385 got admission. Out of these 385 students, only 119 ended up attending the school.
This simple admission stat shows that less than half of the students that the school offered admission rejected the school. The reason for this supposed rejection is its low standards.
Attending the school could’ve been worthwhile if you wouldn’t have to spend around $83,921 annually. You could get a comparatively better law school at that tuition.
Additionally, the amount its graduates earn after graduation is among the lowest in the US. On the contrary, its average debt and percentage of graduates with debt are among the highest in the US.
2. University of Puerto Rico
You won’t find much information online about the University of Puerto Rice Law School, which is more than enough reason you shouldn’t consider it in the first place.
It costs less than $10,000 in tuition to attend the school in 2024 and around $31,706 when you factor in living expenses. Although the school has elite status in Puerto Rico, it’s one of the worst places to study law if you plan to work in the US.
3. Albany Law School
Albany Law School isn’t a relatively poor school, and it’s currently ranked 105 by the US News and World Report. Its comparatively high 50.2% acceptance rate is one of the red flags at the school.
Its $58,044 tuition makes it one of the highest in the US. It’s not difficult to answer whether or not the exorbitant tuition is worth the education it offers.
The school had an impressive bar passage rate of 83% and an average debt of $100,386. How can you repay your debt if you can find suitable employment?
4. Thomas M. Cooley Law School
Thomas M. Cooley Law School is among the least impressive law schools in the US currently. The school needs better admission standards and teaching methods.
The school’s acceptance rate is 88%, way higher than the national average of 60.7%. Simply put, you don’t need to burn the midnight candles to become a student.
89% of students who graduate from the school end up with almost $170,485 in debt. With less than 45% of its graduates going directly to work in law firms, the chance that you’ll repay the loan is quite slim.
5. Western State College of Law at Westcliff University
A glance at the admission requirements is enough to discourage any advances you might’ve made toward attending the school. The school’s acceptance rate stands at 35.16% acceptance. An average of its students gets around 151 LSAT and 3.23 GPA.
You’ll have to prepare around $49,040 in tuition, with the cost of attendance expected to be somewhere around $81,375. Additionally, only 60% of students pass their bar exam on the first try.
These are some law schools that you should avoid. While some of these law schools have pretty decent stats, the tuition you’ll pay isn’t worth it. Research and understand the school that catches your fancy before you apply.
Tips for Choosing a Law School
Now that you know the schools you should avoid, you must understand how to select the good ones. This section will educate you on some tips to help you choose the perfect institution.
1. Consider the Location
The location is a decent way to determine whether or not a law school is worth attending. Law is a location-influenced profession, and it’s easier for you to succeed studying it in some states than others. Attend a law school in the state you want to practice.
The reason is that you’ll have to write a state exam that varies across the United States. Therefore, studying in a city like Florida might not prepare you to work in Georgia unless you pass a second state-specific bar exam. However, you can get employment anywhere in the country if you study in a high-prestige institution.
The Northeastern region of the US is generally considered the best place to study law in the US. It houses some of the best schools globally, like Yale, Columbia, and Harvard. Students from all over the world attend schools in this region, and it’s worth it if you do all you can to get admission into a good law school from there.
2. Your Field of Study
There are many different specializations of law that you can choose to study. While a typical law school will offer almost all of them, some are more renowned at some than others. If the school you want to attend is famed for providing the best criminal defense attorneys, you might want to look at other ways if you prefer to study sports law.
3. Consider the Costs
The cost of attending the law school is another factor you want to consider when scouting for a law school. Students spend an average of around $206,000 during their three-year stay in law school in the US (including accommodation and other academic expenses). Higher-ranked schools are more likely to charge you higher fees.
Many law students graduate with some debts because they benefit from financial aid. Students from elite institutions tend to graduate with more debt, but they pay it back comfortably due to how easily they get a job after graduating. On the other hand, the percentage of students in sub-par law schools that settle their student debts is relatively low.
4. Internships and Placements
If you endure the rigorous process of attending a law school, it can only be worthwhile if you get a good job. The most well-sought-after attorneys are graduates from prestigious schools. Your chance of getting a job after graduating from an institution like Stanford or Yale is almost 100%.
The internship prospect is another aspect that you should consider evaluating. You can get a pre-placement offer during your internship, and it’s all goodies from there. It’s all about studying at an institution and location that affords you such opportunities.
Conclusion
Just like there are law schools that every student wishes to attend, there are others that are just not worth it. You can get an insight into the type of institution you want to enter by looking at their stats. Avoid schools with a low bar passage rate, high student debt, and low employment rates.
A below average in these states implies that the school’s education quality is poor, and firms are skeptical about employing their graduates. If A-grade schools are out of your reach, there are many lesser-known ones with good education quality. As a matter of emphasis, it’s all about conducting your research to discover the best ones.
In anything you do, it’s best to reconsider your decision if you plan to attend any school on this list.
Sam is a brilliant young Nigerian biochemistry student and an aspiring entrepreneur. Despite facing many challenges, he has never lost his passion for learning and drive to make a difference in the world. Read more about him here.