Kara Sears
Columbia Law School, located in New York City, is a highly-ranked law school that offers a range of programs, including J.D., LL.M., Executive LL.M., and J.S.D. options. The school is committed to educating students from diverse backgrounds and with varied life experiences, and its graduates have gone on to successful careers in various areas of law, with a particular reputation for their work in corporate law and finance. Columbia Law School provides a rigorous and progressive curriculum, hands-on clinical and externship experiences, and a rich academic community that encourages specialised interests and interdisciplinary study. The school's Center for Constitutional Governance and Constitutional Democracy Initiative further contribute to its academic offerings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ranking | 10 in 2025 by USNWR |
| Annual Enrollment | 415 |
| Applications | 7,754 in 2025 |
| Admissions | 948 in 2025 |
| Class Size | 415 |
| Yield | 38.29% |
| Median LSAT | 173 |
| 25th Percentile LSAT | 170 |
| 75th Percentile LSAT | 175 |
| Median GPA | 3.9 |
| 25th Percentile GPA | 3.81 |
| 75th Percentile GPA | 3.96 |
| Full-Time Program Application Fee | $85 |
| Tuition | $84,820 |
| Student-Faculty Ratio | 6.1:1 |
| Areas of Study | Constitutional Law, International Law, Corporate Law, Public Interest, Government, Gender and Sexuality Law |
| Location | New York City, New York |
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What You'll Learn
- Columbia Law School ranks 10th among the best law schools in the US
- The school offers a rich, progressive curriculum covering a wide array of legal topics
- Students can gain hands-on experience in clinics and externships with federal judges and prosecutors
- The Constitutional Democracy Initiative investigates democracy's crises and what democracy demands from citizens
- Columbia Law School alumni have gone on to have productive careers in every conceivable arena of practice, business, and advocacy
Columbia Law School ranks 10th among the best law schools in the US
Columbia Law School is an excellent choice for aspiring lawyers. The school ranks 10th among the best law schools in the US, according to US News & World Report in 2025. The ranking is based on a set of widely accepted indicators of excellence, and Columbia Law School has much to offer in these areas.
The school has a rich history, with a strong reputation in the legal field. It became known for the development of the legal realism movement in the 1920s and 1930s, with notable alumni including Karl Llewellyn, Felix S. Cohen, and William O. Douglas. Columbia Law School was also among the first schools to establish both comparative and international law centres, as well as a space law department.
The school offers a range of programs, including a J.D. Program, LL.M. Program, Executive LL.M. Program, and J.S.D. Program. The LL.M. Program, in particular, allows students to elevate their careers to new heights in just one year with a fully customizable curriculum. The Executive LL.M. Program, on the other hand, is a six-month ambitious program designed to create global business lawyers of the future.
Columbia Law School also provides unique opportunities for hands-on learning. One notable example is the Federal Government Externship, which includes field placements at federal agencies, a weekly seminar, and a substantive research paper. Students can gain experience in government law offices and work with lawyers in federal settings. The school's location in New York City further enhances the student experience and provides access to a diverse range of legal opportunities.
The faculty at Columbia Law School is highly regarded, with professors like Huntington, who is known for her expertise in family law and engaging teaching style. The student-faculty ratio is impressive, at 6.1:1, ensuring that students receive a high level of support and guidance throughout their studies.
The school's graduates have gone on to achieve remarkable success. In recent years, Columbia Law School has placed 135 clerks at the U.S. Supreme Court, ranking fifth among all law schools for supplying such clerks. Additionally, Columbia Law alumni have occupied prominent judicial positions internationally, including members and justices of Supreme Courts in various countries, such as the United Kingdom, Italy, Denmark, Ireland, and Japan.
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The school offers a rich, progressive curriculum covering a wide array of legal topics
Columbia Law School, located in New York City, is ranked 10th in the nation by USNWR for 2025. The school offers a rich, progressive curriculum covering a wide array of legal topics, including constitutional law, international law, corporate law, public interest law, and gender and sexuality law. The school's Constitutional Law program is particularly notable, with an ideologically diverse group of influential constitutional scholars leading national conversations about Supreme Court decisions and the overlapping and conflicting authority among federal, state, and local governments.
The school's J.D. Program provides a strong foundation for aspiring lawyers, with a focus on both academic excellence and practical skills development. Students have the opportunity to participate in clinics, externships, labs, and workshops, as well as interdisciplinary studies within Columbia University or with partner institutions. The Executive LL.M. Program, on the other hand, is a six-month program designed to prepare global business lawyers of the future.
Columbia Law School is committed to educating students from diverse backgrounds and with varied life experiences. The school fosters a collaborative and supportive community, driven by teamwork and camaraderie. Graduates of Columbia Law School have exceptional professional prospects and are well-regarded for their work in corporate law and finance, as well as other aspects of the law.
The school's faculty includes renowned professors who have clerked for the U.S. Supreme Court and are actively engaged in legal scholarship, advocacy, and amicus briefs that influence the opinions of appeals court judges and Supreme Court justices. The Center for Constitutional Governance (CCG) and the Center for Public Research and Leadership (CPRL) are also integral parts of the academic experience, providing students with opportunities to engage with major constitutional and governance issues and to fill gaps in professional education.
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Students can gain hands-on experience in clinics and externships with federal judges and prosecutors
Columbia Law School offers a variety of experiential learning opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience and develop essential lawyering skills. One such opportunity is through clinics and externships, including the Federal Prosecution Externship, which allows students to work directly with federal judges and prosecutors.
The Federal Prosecution Externship offers a unique chance for students to work one-on-one with experienced Assistant U.S. Attorneys in the Eastern District of New York. Students are assigned to one of five senior prosecutorial sections, including the Business and Securities Fraud Section, Narcotics Section, and Organized Crime and Gangs Section. During their externship, students are expected to dedicate 12-15 hours per week for one semester, working closely with their supervising attorney on a range of criminal cases.
Through this externship, students gain invaluable insights into the criminal justice system by participating in all aspects of their supervising attorney's caseload. They have the opportunity to work on cases from investigation to sentencing and post-conviction appeal, conducting research and writing along the way. Additionally, students get to interview victims, meet with police, defence counsel, and judges, gaining a holistic understanding of the legal process and its impact on all involved parties.
The Criminal Prosecution Externship is not the only option for students seeking hands-on experience. Columbia Law School also offers a range of clinics that provide practical training. These clinics cover diverse areas of law, allowing students to find their passion and make a positive impact while still in law school. Furthermore, externships like the D.C. externship and Lawyering for Social Justice program provide students with real-world experience and the chance to make a difference in their communities.
By participating in these experiential learning opportunities, students not only fulfil graduation requirements but also develop essential skills that will serve them throughout their legal careers. The hands-on training and guidance from full-time faculty and practitioners prepare students to become effective and ethical lawyers, regardless of their chosen career paths. Columbia Law School's focus on experiential learning ensures that its graduates are well-equipped to handle the challenges and complexities of legal practice.
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The Constitutional Democracy Initiative investigates democracy's crises and what democracy demands from citizens
The Constitutional Democracy Initiative is a program that mobilizes Columbia's resources to address challenges posed by democracy's crises. It investigates the crises of democracy and what the citizens are demanding from democracy by employing various methods, including research, teaching, institutional design, and public conversations across political and other boundaries.
The 2020 insurrection was an acute symptom of a systemic crisis of mistrust and misinformation. In the months following the election, one-third of Americans, and two-thirds of Republicans, claimed they believed the vote was illegitimate. This crisis of confidence in the democratic process is not new, with half of Americans expressing dissatisfaction with democracy in its current form, a significant increase from a quarter in 1995. The initiative aims to tackle these issues by leveraging Columbia's expertise and resources.
The initiative's work is particularly relevant given the urgent problems facing American society, such as climate change, racial inequality, and the ongoing pandemic. These issues demand public action, yet the country's polarized politics often hinder effective governance. The initiative seeks to bridge these divides and find solutions that work for all citizens.
By engaging in research and scholarship, the Constitutional Democracy Initiative contributes to our understanding of democracy's challenges and explores potential solutions. It fosters public conversations and debates across political divides, encouraging civil discourse and the exchange of ideas. Additionally, the initiative's focus on institutional design aims to identify and promote democratic practices and policies that can strengthen our governance systems.
The Constitutional Democracy Initiative at Columbia is a comprehensive effort to address the complex challenges facing American democracy. By engaging in interdisciplinary work and fostering collaboration, the initiative strives to find sustainable solutions and strengthen the democratic fabric of the nation.
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Columbia Law School alumni have gone on to have productive careers in every conceivable arena of practice, business, and advocacy
Columbia Law School is a highly-ranked law school located in New York City, New York. The school has a strong tradition of encouraging students with specialised interests to develop those interests in depth. Columbia Law School alumni have gone on to have productive careers in every conceivable arena of practice, business, and advocacy.
The school is committed to educating students of differing perspectives, from diverse backgrounds, and with varied life experiences. Columbia Law School's community is driven by teamwork and camaraderie. The school's rich curriculum covers a wide array of legal topics, and its faculty members are approachable and willing to discuss their research with interested students. The student-faculty ratio is 6.1:1, and the school's annual enrolment is approximately 415.
Columbia Law School offers a range of programs, including J.D., LL.M., Executive LL.M., and J.S.D. programs. The J.D. program prepares students to lead the world as aspiring lawyers, while the LL.M. program helps students elevate their careers in just one year with a fully customizable program. The Executive LL.M. program, on the other hand, is a six-month program that prepares students to become global business lawyers. The J.S.D. program supports students in jump-starting their careers in legal academia.
The Constitutional Democracy Initiative at Columbia Law School investigates democracy’s crises and the demands it places on society. The school is home to an ideologically diverse group of influential constitutional scholars who lead national conversations about Supreme Court decisions and the overlapping and conflicting authority among federal, state, and local governments. Students at Columbia Law School gain hands-on experience in clinics and externships with federal judges and prosecutors, and they collaborate with professors and research centres on legal scholarship, advocacy efforts, and amicus briefs that can influence the opinions of appeals court judges and Supreme Court justices.
Columbia Law School alumni have gone on to have successful careers in various fields, including corporate law and finance. They have also served in other aspects of the law and contributed to shaping US culture at large.
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Frequently asked questions
Columbia Law School is located in New York City, New York, and was ranked 10 in 2025 by USNWR.
The full-time program application fee is $85, and the tuition fee is $84,820.
Columbia Law School offers a rich, progressive curriculum covering a wide array of legal topics. Students can expect to gain hands-on experience in clinics and externships with federal judges and prosecutors, as well as collaborate on research projects and advocacy efforts.
