Best Law Degree Programs of 2025

Often considered a highly prestigious career, practicing law as a lawyer or working in another legal profession generally necessitates a law degree. A legal education, which can cost up to $48,828 per year and take about three years to complete, can lead to rewarding and challenging legal careers in a competitive field.

Graduates from these programs often go on to work as lawyers, earning a median annual wage of $145,760, but they can also work as judicial clerks, legal counsel for businesses, law professors, and policy developers.

How to Choose a Law Degree Program

Choose your area of study

Students aspiring to practice law typically complete a Juris Doctor (JD) program after completing their undergraduate degree. JD programs are postgraduate professional degrees that provide students with an understanding of substantive and procedural law and the ethical responsibilities of the legal system. They also help students develop analysis and reasoning, research, problem-solving, and communication skills in a legal context.

Accredited JD programs generally have similar curriculums as per the guidelines of the American Bar Association (ABA), but they may have some variances that can affect your decisions. Law schools offer students various concentrations, and it’s important to consider these options to choose a program that best aligns with your career goals. For instance, students interested in working with government agencies, non-profits, or other organizations on issues relating to environmental and natural resource regulation may prefer programs that offer an environmental law concentration. There are many other concentration options, including:

• Civil rights
• Criminal law
• Corporate and business law
• Health care law
• Animal law
• Employment and labor law
• Social justice
• Immigration law

While a Juris Doctor is a traditional degree for working in law, other tracks also assist with earning a career in the legal field. A Master of Laws (LLM) degree, for example, is typically a secondary degree after a JD degree that allows students to specialize in an area of law. A Master of Legal Studies or Doctor of Juridical Science may suit students wishing to work in academia, government, or business careers.

Research schools and programs

Accreditation is an essential part of school and program research, particularly for law degree programs. Law schools must hold accreditation from the ABA to ensure their curriculums meet educational standards and prepare students for legal professions. In most states, students must complete a law degree program with ABA accreditation to take the bar exam and practice law. Check the ABA’s list of approved law schools to find your preferred programs.

Regional accreditation, which ensures schools and programs meet the Department of Education’s standards, is also necessary to obtain federal financial aid. Students wishing to transfer to other law schools can typically only transfer credits from a regional and ABA-accredited program. Verify regional accreditation status with the Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs and Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

You can find more information about schools, programs, and accreditation status on their websites. For further guidance, speak to admissions counselors and attend in-person or virtual information sessions, campus tours, and other events to gain insight into your short-listed schools and programs.

Prepare for tests and applications

Law degrees have many of the same admissions requirements as other professional degree programs, such as:

• Application form and fees
• Transcripts
• Letter(s) of recommendation
• Personal essay or statement
• Resume or CV
• TOEFL (for students educated in a non-English language)

Applicants to law degree programs typically must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Many law students major in political science, history, English, philosophy, and other humanities or social sciences as they tend to complement law degree coursework, but most law degree programs don’t require a specific major.

Instead, law schools generally require a minimum 3.59 GPA to ensure students can match the program’s rigorous curriculum. Most ABA-accredited law schools require applicants to pass the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) with a score of at least 150. Some law degree programs may also conduct applicant interviews during admissions to help evaluate their character and interest in the program.

Select your program

Once you’ve been accepted to one or more programs, revisit your needs and wants to determine the choice that best suits your professional and educational goals. Factors to consider include:

• Location
• Reputation
• Tuition and financial aid
• Course delivery options
• Faculty
• Practical experience opportunities
• Campus resources

These factors can carry weight depending on your circumstances. Many students prioritize hands-on experience gained from small class sizes, internships, clinical programs, and other opportunities. In contrast, students with work or other obligations outside of school may prefer a program with remote, self-paced, or other flexible course delivery options.

Determine how you’ll pay for your degree

Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to access need-based federal scholarships, grants, loans, and other funding assistance. Other federal loans, such as Direct Unsubsidized Loans, Direct PLUS Loans, or private loans, can help supplement funding.

Private organizations, non-profit groups, and other parties may also provide merit or need-based scholarships and grants. Employers sometimes offer tuition assistance benefits to help employees offset costs while upgrading their skills. Speak to a financial aid officer or admissions counselor for information about tuition and financial assistance.