Every year, there are too many applications to the best law schools in Pennsylvania. A lot of individuals begin this endeavor with a lot of zeal, but many of them lose interest along the road.
Pennsylvania has a salary average for attorneys of $117,000 per year, which is 126% higher than the national average.
Through clinics, externships, trial practice, and negotiation courses taught by people who are dedicated to teaching, law schools in Pennsylvania offer supervised, rigorous, and disciplined opportunities to learn real legal skills.
Young lawyers learn these skills far more effectively through this method than working on menial tasks for lawyers who are frequently too busy to instruct them.
You have undoubtedly read several articles on Pennsylvania’s best law schools. However, if you are unable to decide, this article will help you make the best decision possible for your legal career.
Are There Law Schools in PA?
There are nine good law schools in Pennsylvania. This makes the state a superb location for practicing law and attending school. Nearly every practice area has opportunities in the growing legal sector.
However, there are many additional alternatives as well. Popular fields include litigation, finance, and corporate law. With an 8.5% increase over the last ten years, the state now has over 50,000 practicing attorneys.
Here are the law schools in Pennsylvania
- Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law
- Duquesne University School of Law
- Penn State Dickinson Law
- Penn State Law
- University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School
- University of Pittsburgh School of Law
- Temple University Beasley School of Law
- Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law
- Widener University Commonwealth Law School
Read Also: 10 Best Law Schools in California | Cost, Requirements, How to Apply.
How Much is the Tuition of Law Schools in PA?
Although they might not always reflect the whole cost of your program, tuition and fees are the costs charged to your student account. Below is a list of law schools in Pennsylvania with their tuition fee per annum
- Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law -$45,500
- Duquesne University School of Law – $47,080
- Penn State Dickinson Law-$53,212
- Penn State Law – $50,980
- University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School – $67,550
- University of Pittsburgh School of Law – $45,886
- Temple University Beasley School of Law- $42,488
- Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law – $47,916
- Widener University Commonwealth Law School – $48,930
Read Also: 10 Best Law Schools in Wisconsin |Cost, Requirements, How to Apply
What is the requirement for getting into a law school in PA?
Many aspiring lawyers make an effort to enroll in Pennsylvania’s top law schools, but being accepted is not always easy; here are some things you need to do.
1. Details of Endorsements
One factor that could elevate a strong application to law school is a strong reference letter.
Letters that embrace someone are typically more well-received than those that provide tepid support.
2. Excellent Academic Records
Above everything else, you must have the minimum possible LSAT score in addition to a very good GPA. This represents years of effort and preparation even before the application process starts.
3. Perfect Experience
Since J.D. admissions officers prioritize work experience, applying to law school while still in college is typically less competitive than applying after graduation. The pre-law counselor advises students to wait until they have finished college before applying to law school, making them an entirely different candidates. Working enables you to bring real-world experiences to law school in addition to being older and more mature.
Read Also: 15 Best Law Schools in New York | Cost, Requirements, How to Apply
What are Law Schools in Pensylvannia Ranked for?
Pennsylvania law schools are ranked according to the academic standing of recently admitted students, faculty resources, graduate attorneys’ success in finding employment, opinions from law schools and judges’ assessments of the quality of the overall legal education.
The median undergraduate grade point average, pair assessments, library resources, student-to-faculty ratio, selectivity, and the percentage of graduates who do not find employment are also put into consideration while ranking. This rating indicates that 192 lawyers have received recognition from the American Bar Association.
16 Best Law Schools in Pennsylvania
The SJD program, Summer mentorship program, Chancery court program, formal recruitment program, LLM, and graduate program, among many others, are all offered by law schools in Pennsylvania.
Some study areas include international and cooperative law, intellectual property and technology law, environmental law, and health law.
1. Drexel University
There are barely 70 to 75 students in each section of the small first-year classrooms. The institution has an outstanding faculty with legal practice skills.
The curriculum is year-round and includes two-quarter externships. It is required to do 50 hours of pro bono work before graduating.
The campus of the law school has wireless access. It also offers advanced instruction in online research.
- Ranking – #78
- Acceptance Rate – 43.24%
- Minimum LSAT score- 156
- GPA – 3.56
2. Duquesne University Law School
Duquesne University Law School is owned by the Catholic church and has been in existance Since 1911.
In western Pennsylvania, it is the only law school with various divisions. It offers full-time day division, and evening and day classes that are both part-time. The ABA has given the law school its approval. It belongs to the AALS.
- Ranking – #129
- Acceptance Rate -57.44%
- Minimum LSAT score- 154
- GPA – 3.41
3. Pennsylvania State University Dickinson Law School
The oldest law school in Pennsylvania is Penn State Law. In 1834, it was founded. The law school is a vibrant, interesting, and intellectually diverse community.
The course of study includes both in-class and hands-on learning opportunities. In-depth legal training has been provided to the students.
Students studying law at Penn State have access to a wealth of academic and programming resources to improve their learning. The University Park campus of Penn State in State College, Pennsylvania, as well as Carlisle, Pennsylvania, both offer classes.
- Ranking – #58
- Acceptance Rate – 38.60%
- Minimum LSAT score- 160
- GPA – 3.39
4. Pennsylvania State University– Park Law School
Penn Law provides a top-notch education in an interdisciplinary and intellectually stimulating environment.
The faculty works closely with highly respected academics in different university departments. It offers a nurturing setting for students navigating the challenges of legal studies.
- Ranking – #64
- Acceptance Rate – 37.59%
- Minimum LSAT score- 160
- GPA – 3.72
5. University of Pennsylvania law school (Carey)
There are barely 70 to 75 students in each section of the small first-year classrooms. The institution has an outstanding faculty with legal practice skills.
The curriculum is year-round and includes two-quarter externships. It is required to do 50 hours of pro bono work before graduating.
The campus of the law school has wireless access. It also offers advanced instruction in online research.
- Ranking – #6
- Acceptance Rate -14.51%
- Minimum LSAT score- 170
- GPA – 3.41
6. University of Pittsburgh Law School
In the year 1895, the University of Pittsburgh School of Law (Pitt Law) was established. It has an accomplished faculty who are from throughout the world with a vast and diversified curriculum.
The legal education program is structured to give students a variety of opportunities to learn about the law in action in addition to the usual classroom setting.
In the school’s legal clinics, students can work with actual clients while receiving academic credit in the areas of elder law, child welfare, health law, and criminal appeals.
The law school also offers an externship program where students work for county district attorneys, federal and state judges, and public institutions.
- Ranking – #78
- Acceptance Rate -41.66%
- Minimum LSAT score- 159
- GPA – 3.51
7. Temple University (Beasley) Law School
Daytime and evening classes are available at Temple Law School. Both critical thinking and practical legal abilities are integrated into the cutting-edge, student-centered program.
Both in the classroom and beyond it, in law offices, courts, government agencies, and financial organizations, students develop their legal expertise.
- Ranking – #63
- Acceptance Rate – 36.05%
- Minimum LSAT score- 161
- GPA – 3.57
8. Villanova University Law School
Villanova University established Villanova Law as a legal unit in 1953. Villanova’s insistence on quality has helped it establish a solid reputation as a top-tier law school.
It adheres to exacting academic standards. Outstanding academics and educators have been drawn to the law school’s faculty.
- Ranking – #56
- Acceptance Rate – 29.75%
- Minimum LSAT score- 160
- GPA – 3.63
9. Widener University–Pennsylvania (Commonwealth) Law School
There are two campuses for Widener, one in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and the other in Wilmington, Delaware. Each location provides a full program of introductory and advanced courses.
The law school also provides the largest clinical and skill-building programs in the nation. The faculty is dedicated to providing individualized care and counseling.
A prominent group of adjunct faculty members, including two justices of the Delaware Supreme Court, US Vice President Joseph Biden, and numerous lower court judges from Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey, support the full-time faculty. The institution belongs to the AALS. The ABA has accredited it.
- Ranking – #147-192
- Acceptance Rate -56.68%
- Minimum LSAT score- 147
- GPA – 3.14
Pre-law schools in Pennsylvania
Pre-law in the United States refers to any undergraduate course taken in order to prepare for studies at a law school. According to the American Bar Association, law schools must only accept applicants who have earned an approved bachelor’s degree or an equivalent degree from their country of origin.
The Pennsylvania pre-law schools listed below provide pre-law courses.
9. Carnegie Mellon University
The private institution Carnegie Mellon University was established in 1900. The campus is 157 acres in size, has a total undergraduate enrollment of 7,073 (fall 2020), and is located in an urban area.
The academic calendar is based on semesters. National Universities is where Carnegie Mellon University has ranked in the Best Colleges 2022 edition. It costs $58,924 for tuition and fees. Acceptance rate – 17. 3%
10. Lehigh University
Lehigh University is a private institution that was founded in 1865. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 5,203 (fall 2020), its setting is a city, and the campus size is 2,355 acres.
It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Lehigh University’s ranking in the 2022 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, #49. Its tuition and fees are $57,470. Acceptance rate – 49.5%.
12. Thomas Jefferson University
Private Thomas Jefferson University first opened its doors in 1824. The environment is Urban, and there are 3,783 undergraduate students enrolled in total (fall 2020).
The academic calendar is based on semesters. In the National Universities category of the Best Colleges rating for 2022, Thomas Jefferson University is ranked #148. The total cost of attendance is $41,715. Acceptance rate – 63.9%.
13. Chatham University
Founded in 1869, Chatham University is a private university. The campus is 427 acres in size, with a total undergraduate enrollment of 1,358 (fall 2020), and is located in an urban area.
The academic calendar is based on semesters. In the 2022 edition of Best Colleges, Chatham University is ranked #172 among National Universities. It costs $40,877 for tuition and fees. The acceptance rate is 66.2%.
14. Robert Morris University
The private university Robert Morris University was established in 1921. The campus is 230 acres in size, has a total undergraduate enrollment of 3,312 (fall 2020), and is located in a suburban area. The academic calendar is based on semesters.
The National Universities section of the Best Colleges rating for 2022 places Robert Morris University at #187. It costs $32,770 for tuition & fees. The private university Robert Morris University was established in 1921.
The campus is 230 acres in size, has a total undergraduate enrollment of 3,312 (fall 2020), and is located in a suburban area. The academic calendar is based on semesters. The National Universities section of the Best Colleges rating for 2022 places Robert Morris University at #187. It costs $32,770 for tuition & fees. Acceptance rate – 77.7.
15. Misericordia university
Private university Misericordia University was established in 1924. It is situated in a suburban neighborhood and has 1,845 undergraduate students enrolled overall (fall 2020).
Misericordia University has ranked 202 in the category of National Universities in the Best Colleges 2022 edition. The cost of tuition and fees is $35,940.
16. Wilkes university
Wilkes University was founded in 1933 and is a private institution. There are 2,243 undergraduates enrolled in total (fall 2020). Semesters form the foundation of the academic year.
Wilkes University is positioned in the National Universities category in the Best Colleges edition for 2022. $39,000 will be spent on tuition and fees. 76.2%.
How to apply to a law school in Pennsylvania
A step-by-step guide on how to apply to a law school in Pennsylvania is provided below.
- Visit LSAC.org to register for the LSAT.
- Pass on the LSAT.
- Send a certified copy of your transcript to LSAC.
- Ask your mentors and former instructors for letters of recommendation.
- Attach your resume to your statement.
1. If you want to get the most out of your LSAT score, sign up for a course to prepare for it.
2. After receiving your official transcripts, the LSAC (Law School Admissions Council) computes your GPA by aggregating the grades you earned in all of the courses you took prior to receiving your bachelor’s degree. Make sure you are getting the best grades possible if you are currently enrolled in school.
3. Gain a thorough understanding of the law school admissions process. Each applicant has a unique application procedure; some apply during their final year of college, while others may be working full-time when they decide to attend law school.
What are the Best Law Schools in Pennsylvania?
Here are the accredited law schools in Pennsylvania;
- Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law
- Duquesne University School of Law
- Penn State Dickinson Law
- Penn State Law
- University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School
- University of Pittsburgh School of Law
- Temple University Beasley School of Law
- Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law
- Widener University Commonwealth Law School
Frequently Asked Questions
A few of the top attorneys are:
Medical attorneys make on average $138,431. One of the highest median salaries in the legal profession belongs to medical lawyers.
The average annual salary for intellectual property lawyers is $128,913.
Trial lawyers make an average of $97,158.
Tax lawyers make an average of $101,204.
Lawyers for corporations: $116,361.
Four Steps to a 7-Figure Income
Manage your legal practice as a company. Although you studied law as a noble profession, your law company needs to be run like a business if you want to breach the seven-figure barrier.
Target a certain market.
Choose your best target market.
Pay attention to the economics of your company.
Civil law is the area of law that deals with controversies relating to individual privacy rights, such as divorce, child custody, property ownership, contract disputes, and other issues.
Other specializations include Public Law, corporate law, criminal law, cyber law, and lots more.
Lawyers are those who have completed legal education, frequently after passing the bar exam. The word “attorney” has French roots and comes from a verb that means to represent someone else. An attorney is a shortened version of the official title “attorney at law.
Conclusion,
Pennsylvania law schools are worthwhile. Why don’t you apply right away to begin your legal career?
References
- Uslegal.com – best law schools in Pennsylvania
- Education Data.org – Tuition of Law Schools in Pennsylvania
- Us News.com– what are law schools in Pennsylvania ranked for?