The 10 Best Law Schools in Texas
If you’re planning to enter a career in law, it’s wise to choose the best law school to help you prepare for the bar test that all attorneys must pass to begin practice. The state of Texas is brimming with excellent law schools, but if your goal is to work for a prestigious law firm, the name of the institution on your degree can make a difference if you’re selected or passed over by someone with more impressive credentialing. We’ve put together a list of the ten best law schools in the state of Texas to give you an overview of the most highly ranked law schools to help you determine which is best for your situation.
10. the University of North Texas at Dallas College of Law
The University of North Texas at Dallas College of Law is among the ten top-rated law schools in the state of Texas. It’s in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. This institution may be a good option if you’re interested in applying to a school with affordable tuition rates. The tuition rate is just $8,748. It’s among the easier law schools to get into but the quality of edition students receive is ranked as being high quality. An average GPA during undergraduate school for students accepted to the program is 3.1. The college provides an exceptional mentor program with attorneys associated with the university. The graduate program is exceptional, with an average bar exam pass rate of 60 percent for graduates of the program.
9. South Texas College of Law
According to World of Scholarships, The South Texas College of Law is also among the top-ranked law schools in the state. It is a private school with accreditation from the American Bar Association. It is Houston’s oldest school. There are only two schools that have existed in the state for longer. This school is also a member of the Association of American Law Schools. Although South Texas College of Law is in a large city, the enrollment numbers are low with an enrollment of 980 students. This is one of the more competitive law schools in the state. The requirements for admission to the law program are rigid and just 64 percent of applicants get accepted. Graduating from South Texas Law School is a positive addition to your curriculum vitae when looking for a job with a reputable law firm.
8. University of Houston Law Center
The University of Houston Law Center is a large university that offers multiple options and specializations within the field of law. Students may opt to pursue a single degree or dual degrees. You have a choice of earning your JD/MBA, JD/MD, or JD/MPH, depending on your passion within the industry. It’s a highly competitive institution that has stringent requirements for acceptance. The acceptance rate is a mere 33.05 percent. Only the top candidates get selected for entry into this prestigious institution of higher learning. The University of Houston Law Center is among the best in the state. It accommodates professionals working on their JD degrees by offering part-time educational programs or full-time. Students have the option of weekend and evening studies. The University offers multiple specializations, including health care law and intellectual property law. These are programs of study that are not offered at all institutions of higher learning.
7. St. Mary’s University School of Law
LSAT Max views St. Mary’s University as one of the top law schools in Texas. It’s in San Antonio, Texas, in the historic part of town. St. Mary’s is the sole Catholic law school in Texas. This school offers graduate studies in law with generous help and mentor programs for students. The average grade point average for first-year students is 3.2. The tuition is reasonable at $38,900 per year. Students experience a challenging yet rewarding educational experience that fully prepares them for the bar exam required to practice law in the state of Texas. The bar exam pass rate for St. Mary’s graduates is 70.8 percent.
6. Baylor University
Baylor University is another high-ranking law school. Baylor is different from most other law schools in the state. Instead of a semester system, it operates under the quarter system with a full four quarters available including summer. There are no requirements for when you can begin attending classes other than being accepted and admitted to the program. Students begin their studies in spring, summer, fall, and winter. It’s a looser structure, but don’t let this fool you. It’s among the hardest law schools to get into. They approve only thirty percent of the applicants for admission. The tuition is reasonable for a private institution. The campus is attractive and comfortable. The bar passage rate for graduates of Baylor University is 71 percent.
5. Texas Southern University
Texas Southern University’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law is one of the top five law schools in Texas. They prepare students well for taking and passing their bar teams. The bar passage rate for graduates of the program is 64 percent. This school offers one of the best law libraries in all universities in Texas. The TMSL Library is extensive and requires two buildings. The library has hundreds of thousands of volumes of law-related books and literature. It’s one of the best-rated law libraries in the United States today. It’s less difficult to gain acceptance to Texas Southern University, with a far higher acceptance rate than most others. Fifty-six percent of applicants gain admission to law school. Another benefit to attending Texas Southern University is the affordable tuition costs. Graduates also have an impressive rate of gaining full-time employment, with an average of 59 percent gaining employment immediately upon graduation. Many benefits are associated with attending Texas Southern University’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law.
4. Dedman School of Law at Southern Methodist University
Best Value Schools ranks the Dedman School of Law at Southern Methodist University as one of the top five law schools in the state of Texas. The institution is in University Park, Texas, in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. What makes this such an outstanding law school? There are several reasons to apply to this school. It is among the most prestigious in the state. Many foreign ministers and members of the high courts throughout the world are graduates of the Dedman School of Law at Southern Methodist University. In addition, some Texas Supreme Court justices, ambassadors, governors, US attorneys, US congresspeople, and others are alumni of the school. They associate the name with quality in education. Many graduates have gone forward to gain employment at some of the biggest law firms and major corporations in the nation with their degrees. If you wish to experience a challenging academic program that fully prepares you for passing your bar exam, this may be the right choice. The bar exam pass rate is 88 percent for the Dedman School of Law graduates. Be prepared for stiff competition to gain admission to the school. They scrutinize each applicant and only accept the best candidates who have a proven track record of academic success. The tuition rate is also expensive at about $50,986 per year, but it will put you in the running for higher-paying jobs.
3. Texas Tech University School of Law,
The Texas Tech University School of Law is in Lubbock, Texas. What makes this law school among the best in Texas? There are multiple benefits associated with Texas Tech University. It has one of the best mentor programs to help students get the most for their money. The advocacy and clinical programs are second to none. The school offers ten dual degree programs, which are the most of any law school in the state. It’s the home of two award-winning law journals, and the school has affordable tuition rates. The cost of tuition is just $26,932, which is half the cost of some of the more upscale law schools. The post-graduate employment rates are also strong, but they impressed us with the Texas Bar exam pass rate of 88.10 percent. Most graduates from this school successfully navigate this ultimate test of their knowledge. The high pass rates are evidence that you get a quality education at Lubbock’s Texas Tech University School of Law.
2. Texas A&M University School of Law
The Texas A&M University School of Law is in Fort Worth, Texas. It’s one of the highest-rated law schools in the state of Texas. Students will discover that the quality of the education is high with distinguished faculty members with years of experience in the law profession. The alumni network is strong with high employment rates upon graduation. Learning programs include classroom and outside of the classroom learning experiences. The program prepares you for the real world working in the law profession. The tuition is reasonable at just $31,254 per year. Acceptance for admission is on the competitive side but it’s not as stringent as some of the other law schools in the state. We found the bar exam pass rate to be among the best at 90.32 percent. Less than ten percent of graduating students fail their bars, which is an exceptional track record for producing fully prepared graduates. it speaks well of the educational program with its rigors at Teas A&M University School of Law.
1. The University of Texas School of Law
Best Law Schools recommends the University of Texas School of Law as one of the best schools in the state of Texas. This school is in Austin. It is a professional graduate school that achieved the ranking of number 15 in the United States. This is a significant fact to consider when choosing the best law school to attend. The school offers Masters of Laws as a single program with a choice of six subjects. These include international arbitration, global-energy, environmental law, cyber security law, human rights, comparative constitutional law, business and law, US law for foreign lawyers, and American and international law. The school also offers degree programs in Juris Doctor of three years in duration. These courses start first-year students with foundational courses, moving to electives for the second and third years in line with the student’s fields of interest and specialization. This institution also offers dual degree programs. There are also Ph.D. programs available. The tuition rate is $35,715 per year for courses taken in the USA. Study abroad programs start at $53,035.
Final thoughts
Students interested in pursuing a career in law have multiple considerations to make before applying to any law school. The first is the cost of tuition. The affordable law schools are not always the worst, nor are the most expensive necessarily the best. Consider the type of law you intend to practice, how much you can afford to pay for your education. Also, consider the various programs that each school offers. Other things to ponder are the structure of the programs if you are currently working and the requirements for attendance. Some schools offer evening and weekend courses. Others have online participation. The more prestigious law schools are harder to gain admission status. It’s essential to meet the established requirements before applying for acceptance and the associated fees. Competition for admission is high for some schools, with a small percentage of applicants considered. Perhaps one of the most important things to consider is the bar exam passage rate for each school you’re considering. Higher bar pass rates show students receive adequate preparation and leave the school with a more fully rounded education. Also, review with the employment rate of graduates. It will give you an idea of which law school may be the best option for you.
