For individuals who desire to pursue a career in the field of law, obtaining a Pre Law Degree through a quality school is an essential first step. Overall, it is essential for individuals to obtain their educations from schools that offer their students accredited, distinguished, and comprehensive educational programs. Provided below is a descriptive list of the 10 best schools that offer Pre Law Degree programs in the United States, and they are ranked according to distinction, reputation, and other attributes first.
It is important to note that most of these schools do not offer their students actual Pre Law Degree programs. Instead, many of these schools offer their students Economics, Political Science, English, Liberal Arts, and Juris Doctor (J.D.) Degree programs that all qualify their students for entry into Graduate Law School.
10. Northwestern University
Summary- Northwestern University was founded in 1850 and it is one of the top schools for Pre Law students. While this school does not offer its students a specific Pre Law Degree program, it does provide them with an exceptional Liberal Arts Degree program. This Liberal Arts Degree program provides students with the course and experience requirements that are necessary for entry into Graduate Law School.
Tuition- Northwestern University’s tuition cost is $14,460 per quarter.
Unique Facts- Northwestern University is consistently ranked among the top universities in the United States by U.S. News and World Reports. One highlight of this school is that it provides its students with opportunities to research abroad.
9. The University of Chicago
Summary- The University of Chicago was founded in 1870 and it is ranked among the most prestigious schools for Pre Law students. While this school does not offer its students a specific Pre Law Degree program, it does provide them with an outstanding Political Science Degree program. Its Political Science Degree program adequately prepares students for acceptance into Graduate Law School through 8 different Pre Law courses and multiple experience opportunities.
Tuition- The University of Chicago’s tuition cost is $32,300 per year.
Unique Facts- The University of Chicago is one of a small number of American colleges that possess a Phi Betta Kappa Honor Society. In addition, this school is consistently ranked as one of the top universities in the United States by U.S. News and World Reports.
8. The University of California at Berkeley
Summary- The University of California at Berkeley is also ranked among the best schools for Pre Law students. While this school does not offer its students a specific Pre Law Degree program, it does provide them with the course and experience requirements that are necessary for acceptance into its School of Law. Most of this school’s students pursue Economics, English, Business Administration, Political Science, and/or English majors to fulfill these requirements.
Tuition- The University of California at Berkeley’s tuition cost is $23,772 per year for residents of California. Its tuition cost for non-residents of California is $46,650 per year.
Unique Facts- One highlight of this school is that 48 of its educational programs are ranked among the top 10 best educational programs in the United States by the National Research Council. In addition, its School of Law is accredited by the American Bar Association.
7. Duke University
Summary- Duke University was founded in 1838 and it ranks among the best schools in the United States. While Duke University does not offer its students a specific Pre Law Degree program, it does provide them with a Pre Law process. This process entails the completion of the courses and hands-on experiences that are necessary for entry into Graduate Law School. Duke University’s Pre Law Advising Office provides individuals with guidance through the Pre Law process.
Tuition- The tuition cost for Duke University is $50,750 per year.
Unique Facts- Duke University accepts approximately 25% of its applicants each year. In addition, Duke University’s School of Law is ranked among the best law schools in the United States by U.S. News and World Reports.
6. Amherst College
Summary- Amherst College was founded in 1821 and it is among the best schools for individuals to pursue if they wish to pursue a Pre Law course of study. Like many of the other prestigious schools, Amherst College does not offer its students an actual Pre Law Degree program. Rather, this school provides its students with the tools, courses, and experiences that are essential for their acceptance into Graduate Law School. In general, Political Science and Economics are the two most common majors for Amherst College’s Pre Law students.
Tuition- Amherst College’s tuition cost is between $60,809 and $63,259 per year.
Unique Facts- An interesting fact about Amherst College is that Emily Dickinson’s grandfather, Samuel Fowler Dickinson, cofounded this college in 1821. One highlight of Amherst College is that it provides its students with opportunities to study abroad.
5. Stanford University
Summary- Stanford University is an extremely prestigious school. While this school does not offer its students a specific Pre Law Degree program, it does provide its students with all of the credentials that are necessary for their acceptance into Graduate Law School.
Tuition- Stanford University’s tuition cost is $13,750 per quarter.
Unique Facts- Stanford University only accepts approximately 9% of its applicants per year. Stanford University’s accepted applicants are rewarded with outstanding educations and opportunities to travel abroad through this school’s public service programs.
4. John Brown University
Summary- John Brown University is another prestigious school and its School of Law is accredited by the American Bar Association. John Brown University’s Pre Law Professional Program provides students with the enhanced liberal arts skills that are necessary for their enrollment into Graduate Law School.
Tuition- The tuition cost for the Pre Law Professional Program is $20,796 per year.
Unique Facts- John Brown University only accepts approximately 10.9% of its applicants per year. Another interesting fact is that John Brown University has been ranked by U.S. News and World Reports as second best in value among southern schools in the United States.
3. Princeton University
Summary- Princeton University is also among the best schools for Pre Law students. While this school does not possess an official Pre Law Degree program, it does offer its students outstanding Juris Doctor (J.D.) and Master’s in Public Affairs/Juris Doctor (M.P.A./J.D.) Degree programs. Students who are enrolled in the Master’s in Public Affairs/Juris Doctor (M.P.A./J.D.) program are offered opportunities to obtain their joint degree program through both Princeton University and one of the following law schools: Columbia University, New York University, or Stanford University.
Tuition- The tuition cost for both programs is $38,650 per year.
Unique Facts- Princeton University only accepts an average of 12% of its applicants per year. Another interesting fact is that both Presidents James Madison and Woodrow Wilson were graduates of this school.
2. Harvard University
Summary- Harvard University is also one of the best schools for Pre Law students. In addition, Harvard University’s School of Law is among the most distinguished law schools in the United States and it is accredited by the American Bar Association. While Harvard University does not offer its students a specific Pre Law Degree program, it does provide them with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) Degree program. This program provides students with the skills and courses that are necessary for entry into Harvard University’s prestigious, top-ranked School of Law.
Tuition- The tuition cost for the Juris Doctor (J.D.) Degree program is $49,950 per year.
Unique Facts- Students who pursue their Juris Doctor (J.D.) Degree through Harvard University are provided with opportunities to study abroad at some of the World’s top, foreign law schools. An interesting fact about this school is that more than 20 members of Congress and 140 federal judges have attended Harvard’s School of Law.
1. Yale University
Summary- Yale University is considered the best based on the following: its small class sizes, its distinguished faculty members, its World-renowned reputation for delivering quality educations, its ranking as the eleventh best school in the World by The World University Rankings, and its Graduate Law School’s accreditation by the American Bar Association. While Yale University does not offer its students a specific Pre Law Degree program, it does provide them with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) Degree program. This program provides students with the skills and courses that are necessary for entry into Yale’s prestigious, top-ranked Graduate Law School.
Tuition- The tuition cost for the Juris Doctor (J.D.) program is $73,675 per academic year. This includes fee and book costs.
Unique Facts- Yale’s School of Law has been consistently ranked as the top law school in the United States, and only 6% to 7% of its applicants are accepted each year. Many successful, well-known individuals, such as Bill and Hilary Clinton, are graduates of Yale.
