Is Yale Law School prestigious?
Asked by: Hermina Ebert MD | Last update: October 21, 2025Score: 4.3/5 (65 votes)
Yale Law has been ranked the number one law school in the United States by U.S. News & World Report between 1990 and 2024.
How prestigious is Yale Law?
Yale University 2024 Law & Specialties Rankings
Yale University is ranked No. 1 (tie) out of 196 in Best Law Schools. Schools were assessed on their performance across a set of widely accepted indicators of excellence.
Is Yale Law School hard to get into?
With an acceptance rate of just 6.9%, it's no wonder that Yale is the hardest law school to get into. Only around 1 in 15 of their highly qualified applicants makes it through. The median GPA score of a student enrolled at Yale University is 3.92, while the median LSAT score is 173.
Is Yale a good school for lawyers?
1) Yale is the number one ranked law school in the United States and its reputation as a legal institution generally has superseded that of Harvard Law for at least several decades. Harvard is almost universally regarded as the second-best law school in America.
Which law school is most prestigious?
Yale Law School is widely regarded as the most prestigious law school in the U.S. thanks to its strong reputation, rich history, distinguished faculty, and influential alumni, even though it's currently the second-ranked law school.
law school decision reactions!! yale, nyu, harvard, cornell, columbia, & more
Which Ivy League is best for law?
Yale University
As the best law school in the nation, Yale is an Ivy League school that has gained an impressive reputation for itself in the legal world. This law school ranks second in the nation for international law and third for constitutional law.
What is the #1 law school in the world?
Key findings for Law
Harvard University is featured as the best university in the world in our ranking with a total D-index of its ranking scientists at 785. Ranking on the second place in the world is New York University with a total D-index of 518.
What famous people went to Yale Law School?
Yale Law alumni include many prominent figures in law and politics, including U.S. presidents Gerald Ford and Bill Clinton, U.S. vice president JD Vance, U.S. secretaries of state Cyrus Vance and Hillary Clinton, U.S. secretaries of the treasury Henry H. Fowler and Robert Rubin, and nine U.S. attorneys general.
How much do Yale lawyers make a year?
The average Lawyer base salary at Yale University is $139K per year.
What tier is Yale Law School?
It is generally accepted that the Tier 1 Law Schools are the same as the T14 Law schools. T14 law schools are the schools that are consistently ranked between 1 and 14 by USNews. Traditionally the T14 schools are: Yale Law School (always #1)
Is going to Yale Law worth it?
Yale law graduates go on to earn much more than those who didn't go to university. In fact, the average salary of former Yale students is $118,400. That's 245% higher than the national average. You can't argue with the stats.
What's the hardest law school to get into?
- Yale University: 6.9%
- Stanford University: 9.72%
- University of Pennsylvania: 14.6%
- University of Virginia: 15.3%
- Harvard University: 15.6%
- Columbia University: 16.8%
- University of Chicago: 17.5%
- Duke University: 20.2%
Why is Yale #1 law school?
Yale Law School is unique among law schools in that it produces leaders across every sector of society: distinguished deans and faculty members at law schools across the country and the world; industry CEOs and corporate counsels; founders of nongovernmental organizations and other nonprofit entities; entrepreneurs; ...
What makes Yale Law special?
With almost 200 courses taught by world-renowned faculty and a thriving network of legal clinics and intellectual centers, Yale Law School provides rich and challenging ways to gain the skills necessary to make an impact in the world at large. Yale Law School has one of the most robust clinical programs in the country.
Where do most Yale Law graduates work?
They work in private practice, ranging from one-person offices to major firms; in federal, state, and local government, including Congress, the Office of the President, and the judiciary; in law teaching and administration; in public service settings; for corporations and businesses; and for nonprofit organizations.
What GPA do you need for Yale Law School?
Yale Law School Median GPA: 3.96
This is incredibly high, so to be a competitive applicant, you'll need to study hard during your undergrad! Bear in mind that the average GPA is likely higher than this because the low-end value is an outlier.
What is the highest paid lawyer?
What Type of Lawyer Makes the Most Money? Patent lawyers, IP attorneys, and trial lawyers make the most money.
Does Yale Law prefer Yale undergrads?
Last year, 198 Yale undergraduates and alumni — one-sixth of a typical undergraduate class — applied for admission to Yale Law School. The acceptance rate for Yale College alums was at least 11 percent, compared to about 6 percent for general applicants.
Which law school is better Yale or Harvard?
Yale has consistently ranked as the top law school since the list debuted, while Harvard has been in the top five. Law schools submit data to US News & World Report for its rankings.
What is the average age to go to Yale Law School?
18% are first-generation college students. 31% are first-generation professionals, meaning that they are the first in their families to attend a graduate or professional school program. 7% are veterans or service members. The average age is 25.
Where do most Yale law students live?
Most students chose to live in non University-affiliated housing. Many apartments are suitable for students with families, and some allow pets. Off campus living resources are available here. Some students do live in the affordable and well-kept University housing options.
What is the most expensive law school in the world?
Two New York City-based law schools, Columbia University and New York University, ranked as most expensive. Columbia charged $81,292 in tuition and fees while New York University charged $80,014.
What is a Tier 1 law school?
Tier 1 schools are known as the best law colleges. They typically stand out because of their strong academic reputation, high bar passage rates, and excellent graduate employment outcomes.