Cecily Zamora
UCLA School of Law is one of the top law schools in the United States, offering a range of programs and specializations for students interested in pursuing legal careers. With a UCLA law degree, graduates can find diverse career paths, including becoming lawyers, judges, entrepreneurs, politicians, or scholars. The school provides a rigorous and innovative curriculum, covering various legal disciplines such as constitutional law, immigration law, corporate law, and environmental law. UCLA Law is known for its clinical education, giving students practical experience and the opportunity to make an impact even before graduating. The school also boasts a diverse and renowned faculty, ensuring a high-quality legal education. With its strong reputation and alumni network, UCLA Law opens doors to numerous professional opportunities, as evidenced by its high employment rate for graduates.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| UCLA Law School ranking | Ranked No. 12 out of 195 in Best Law Schools |
| Application fee | $75 |
| Tuition fees | $59,132 (in-state) and $71,377 (out-of-state) |
| Student-faculty ratio | 5.6:1 |
| Acceptance requirements | Register with LSAC's Credential Assembly Service (CAS) and take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or the Graduate Records Exam (GRE) |
| Application deadline | 1st February 2022 |
| Areas of specialisation | Constitutional law, corporate law, critical race studies, public interest law and policy, environmental law, human rights, Indian law, healthcare law, and more |
| Types of degrees offered | Juris Doctor (J.D.), Master of Laws (LL.M.), Master of Legal Studies (M.L.S.), and Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.) |
| Career outcomes | Graduates have gone on to become judges, lawyers, entrepreneurs, and politicians; 93% found employment within a year of graduating, with 60% working in law firms, 8% in business, 8% in government, and the rest in public interest and academic work |
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What You'll Learn
UCLA Law School's reputation and ranking
UCLA School of Law is one of the youngest top law schools in the United States. It offers a range of rigorous academic programs, including a Juris Doctor (J.D.) program, a Master of Laws (LL.M.) program, a Master of Legal Studies (M.L.S.) program, and a Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.) program. UCLA Law provides a dynamic and collaborative learning environment, with a mix of theoretical and practical courses, and a low student-faculty ratio of 5.6:1.
The law school has an esteemed reputation for its selectivity, with a highly competitive admissions process. For the Fall 2023 semester, UCLA Law received several thousand applications from Juris Doctor candidates worldwide, but only offered admission to 16.8% of applicants, ensuring that matriculating students are among the nation's most capable legal aspirants.
UCLA Law is consistently ranked among the top law schools in the country. In 2024, it was ranked 12th out of 195 in the Best Law Schools category. It has also achieved specialized rankings in various legal domains, such as 7th in Tax Law and 6th in Trial Advocacy. UCLA Law's overall ranking and reputation in the legal world, especially in Southern California, are bolstered by the presence of its alumni in prominent positions within law firms.
While the reputation and selectivity of a law school used to be significant ranking factors, there has been a recent shift towards emphasizing outcome measures. This change aims to highlight the tangible results of legal education, such as bar passage rates and post-graduation employment. UCLA Law's commitment to providing comprehensive and practical legal training is reflected in its rankings and the success of its alumni.
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Specialisations and courses offered
UCLA School of Law is one of the youngest top law schools in the nation, offering multiple specialisations and courses in an innovative, challenging, and collaborative learning environment. The school's professors are among the most influential scholars in the nation in fields like constitutional law, evidence, immigration, corporate law, critical race theory, and more.
The school offers a Juris Doctor (J.D.) program for those pursuing careers as lawyers and advocates, a Master of Laws (LL.M.) program, a Master of Legal Studies (M.L.S.) program for working professionals who want to understand legal structures and thinking without practising law, and a Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.) program for aspiring law academics.
J.D. students can choose from seven specialisations, while the school offers nine LLM. specialisations and eight specialisations for M.L.S. students. UCLA Law is home to top programs, centres, and institutes that offer unique learning opportunities and a chance for students to make an impact while still in school. Students can earn specialisations in several disciplines, including Native American law, trial advocacy, environmental law, and human rights.
UCLA Law's cutting-edge Institute for Technology, Law, and Policy addresses innovations that disrupt society and its institutions. The school offers a rich mix of courses, clinical opportunities, and extracurricular engagements, allowing students to explore areas like constitutional law, critical race studies, corporate law, and public interest law and policy. The school's curriculum also covers the disruptive impact of technology on law and society.
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Career prospects and alumni success
UCLA School of Law is one of the top law schools in the United States. It offers a rigorous and engaging Juris Doctor (J.D.) program, a dynamic Master of Laws (LL.M.) program, a Master of Legal Studies (M.L.S.) program, and a Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.) program. The school's innovative curriculum, robust array of clinics, and focused work of its centers, programs, and institutes offer students a dynamic path forward in the legal field.
UCLA Law has a strong track record of producing successful graduates who go on to become leaders in various sectors, both within and outside the legal profession. The school's alumni network includes judges, successful lawyers in prominent law firms, entrepreneurs, and politicians. UCLA Law's Class of 2021 reported that 93% of alumni secured employment within a year of graduating, with 85% of graduates finding work in California. The next most popular destinations were New York, the District of Columbia, and abroad. Most UCLA Law graduates work in the private sector, with over 60% in law firms, 8% in business, 8% in government, and the remainder in public interest and academic work.
The school's faculty, comprising over 100 members, is highly diverse and influential, with expertise spanning all major legal disciplines. UCLA Law is the only law school in the United States that offers a program examining legal issues related to race and justice. The UCLA Critical Race Studies program and Public Interest Law Program are leaders in their field, and graduates from these programs have become social justice leaders providing legal assistance to underrepresented communities.
UCLA Law's strong alumni network and high employment rate within a year of graduation attest to the school's success in preparing its graduates for impactful careers. The school's rigorous curriculum, practical experiences, and renowned faculty equip students with the knowledge and skills to excel in various legal and leadership roles.
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Acceptance rates and application process
UCLA School of Law is one of the top law schools in the United States. It is considered to have a low acceptance rate, which is usually between 15-20%. In 2022, the acceptance rate was 15.43%, with 1,562 out of 7,976 applicants receiving offers. UCLA Law received around 6,000-7,000 applications and accepted just over 1,000 students. The school has a limited number of slots each year, and when the number of applicants exceeds this number, it can lead to a perceived drop in acceptance rates.
UCLA Law does not offer interviews as part of the admissions process, but the Law School Admissions Committee may request an interview on a case-by-case basis. The school seeks to admit students who can contribute "vital, diverse viewpoints" to the academic community. UCLA Law values strong critical thinking, writing, problem-solving, and analytical skills in its applicants. While there is no preference for a certain undergraduate major, applicants should aim for a GPA of 3.95 or higher and an LSAT score of 170 or above to be competitive.
The application process for UCLA Law involves submitting transcripts, LSAT/Credential Assembly Service registration forms, two letters of recommendation (at least one from someone familiar with the applicant's academic work), and a personal statement. Applicants should not wait for fall grades before sending transcripts, and any work completed after the initial registration must be submitted as updated reports will be forwarded to the Law School Admissions Office.
UCLA Law offers early decision programs with a priority deadline of November 15, and applicants are notified by late December. This option is binding, and applicants should only apply if they are willing to enrol at UCLA if admitted. All applications must be submitted by January 31. The school offers a non-refundable application fee of $75, which can be paid electronically or by check, money order, or international money order.
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Tuition fees and financial aid
The tuition fees for the UCLA School of Law vary depending on the student's residency status. For the 2025 academic year, the tuition fees for California residents are $59,132, while for out-of-state students, the fees are $71,377. The tuition fees for the LL.M. Program are identical for both international and domestic students. The fees for the 2024-2025 academic year were $7 per instalment, with two instalments in total.
The University of California offers a Native American Opportunity Plan (NAOP) to cover the tuition fees for California residents who are members of federally recognised Native American, American Indian, and Alaska Native tribes. The maximum combined NAOP and Law School PDST award for the 2025-26 academic year is $60,374.
The UCLA School of Law also offers financial aid in the form of scholarships, loans, and fellowships. The Financial Aid System automatically credits aid to students' BruinBill accounts each semester. Remaining financial aid funds are refunded to students for living expenses. Students may also sign up for the "autopay" feature of BruinBill, although this will pay out the entire amount due, and insufficient funds will result in additional fees. UCLA also offers a BruinPay Plan, where tuition and fees can be paid in monthly instalments.
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Frequently asked questions
UCLA's School of Law is ranked No. 12 out of 195 in Best Law Schools in America. It is also considered one of the top law schools in the United States and is one of the youngest.
UCLA Law offers a Juris Doctor (J.D.) program for those pursuing careers as lawyers and advocates, an LL.M. program for lawyers looking to deepen their studies, an S.J.D. for those seeking a career in teaching and scholarship, and a Master of Legal Studies (MLS) program for non-lawyers looking to enhance their professional skills.
UCLA Law has a track record of producing successful graduates, with 93% of alumni finding employment within a year of graduating. Several alumni are now judges, lawyers, entrepreneurs, and politicians. Most UCLA law school graduates work in the private sector, with more than 60% working in law firms.
