Choosing the best law school is the first step to starting a prosperous legal career. There are many law schools in Arizona, and they are all well-regarded for their excellence and professionalism.
The Navajo Nation, the largest Native American reservation, is found in Arizona, the sixth-largest state in the country. It is situated in America’s southwest. In actuality, reservations occupy more than a quarter of the state’s land.
The law schools in this part of the southwest provide a beautiful environment, a long indigenous history, and possibly the greatest sunsets in the nation. Check out these best law schools in Arizona if you see yourself in law school as someone who values both nature and the rule of law, enjoys the great outdoors, or has a passion for Navajo or Native American history.
The article that follows gives a succinct summary of law schools in Arizona 2024 along with a few factors to take into account while deciding which program is best for you.
Are There Law Schools In Arizona?
Three law schools, two of which are accredited by the American Bar Association, are located in the Grand Canyon State.
Get accepted into a law school as your first step if you want to become a lawyer. Law schools could offer a structured learning environment to guarantee that clients and the general public are represented by attorneys who have the essential knowledge and abilities needed to practice law.
Arizona is connected to some of the most important challenges of our day due to its population, location, and climate. You can’t help but wonder why more academics haven’t opened additional law schools in the Grand Canyon State by utilizing this special combination. The state more than makes up for any quantity that it lacks in quality.
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How Long Is A Law School In Arizona?
A three-year course of study leading to the Juris Doctor (JD) degree is the standard curriculum at law schools in Arizona. Get specialized assistance in your first-year small-section classes.
All American Bar Association recognized law schools normally require 3 years of full-time study to get a JD. The typical length of part-time studies at some law schools is 4 to 5 years.
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How Much Do Law Schools In Arizona Cost?
In Arizona, full-time in-state tuition for law schools is $25,854 to $28,058 and out-of-state tuition is $30,354 to $47,302. (out-of-state).
Law schools in Arizona work to offer students the best possible legal education at affordable tuition costs for both residents and non-residents. One of the most significant variables influencing students’ decisions to enrol in Arizona’s law schools, according to their reports, is financial support. Roughly 75-85% of JD students receive financial aid each year.
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What Are The Requirements For Getting Into Law Schools In Arizona 2024?
Requirements for law schools in Arizona are common to other law schools in the US. They are as follows:
Bachelor’s Degree From A Reputable College
Unlike many graduate programs, law school programs don’t have any established course prerequisites. A variety of academic backgrounds may be represented among Arizona law school applicants. It’s crucial to have a high GPA once you’ve earned your bachelor’s degree.
Law School Admission Test
The LSAT must be taken and passed. Your test score is one of the major deciding factors for admission to Arizona law schools.
Transcripts
Before applying to law schools in Arizona, you must get legitimate transcripts from all undergraduate, graduate, and certificate-granting institutions.
Individual Statement
The personal statement is an additional prerequisite for a few of the top law schools in Arizona. Consider this period as an opportunity to demonstrate to the admissions panel who you are as a person and why you hope to enrol in the program.
Recommendation letter
Law schools in Arizona typically require at least one letter of recommendation, though you are welcome to submit more.
What Are The Best Law Schools In Arizona 2024?
Arizona does not readily come to mind when considering top law schools. And for good cause. The state will only have two approved law schools. The few law schools in Arizona are prestigious and charge a high price for their extensive legal education. These are the law schools in Arizona:
- Arizona State University – O’Connor Law School
- University of Arizona James E. Rogers Law College
#1. Arizona State University – O’Connor Law School
Phoenix, Arizona is home to the public Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University. The first year of the law school’s curriculum is mandatory, then there are two years of primary electives. The Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law offers programs and centres where students can participate to tailor their legal education.
These programs and centres include the Indian Legal Program, which supports tribal governments, and the Center for Law, Science, and Innovation, which was the first to examine the legal implications of scientific and technological advancements.
The W. P. Carey School of Business offers a J.D./M.B.A. program, while the Rochester, Minnesota-based Mayo Medical School offers a J.D./M.D. program for students who want to pursue a second degree. Students who desire to learn about the law without becoming attorneys can also enroll in the Master of Legal Studies (M.L.S.) degree program at the Arizona State College of Law.
At Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law (O’Connor), there is no application fee for the full-time program. Full-time in-state tuition is $28,058; full-time out-of-state tuition is $47,302. (out-of-state). The faculty-to-student ratio is 5.4:1.
#2. University of Arizona James E. Rogers Law College
The University of Arizona provides the finest competition in the state for the best law school. The university is somewhat smaller than Arizona State University, which may appeal to students seeking a more individualized educational experience while being lower ranked and significantly more expensive. The university, which is based in Tucson, has frequently welcomed Supreme Court Justices who have lectured and conducted classes there.
The state’s first law school, the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law, was established in Tucson in 1915. In collaboration with the National Law Center for Inter-American Free Trade, specialist degrees in Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy and International Trade and Business Law are also provided in addition to the JD program.
The James E. Rogers College of Law at the University of Arizona (Rogers) does not charge an application fee for its full-time programs. Full-time in-state tuition is $25,854; full-time out-of-state tuition is $30,354. (out-of-state). The faculty-to-student ratio is 4.4:1.
Best Law Schools Close to Arizona
Arizona is surrounded by states with amazing law schools. Here are some of the best law schools close to Arizona.
#3. Brigham Young University – J. Reuben Clark Law School
The Brigham Young University J. Reuben Clark Law School is a tiny university affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. BYU Law keeps its tuition low because donations from churchgoers fund a sizable percentage of the school’s operating costs. It is Utah’s least expensive law school.
Members of the church pay half the tuition that non-members do as well. The law school’s curriculum emphasizes moral, ethical, and religious concepts. Students can pursue combined degree programs including a J.D./MBA, J.D./Master of Public Administration, or J.D./Master of Accounting through the Marriott School of Management, and a J.D./Master of Education through the David O. McKay School of Education.
There is no application cost for the full-time program at J. Reuben Clark Law School (Clark), Brigham Young University. Tuition for full-time students is $28,416 for non-members and $14,208 for LDS members (Non-LDS members). The faculty-to-student ratio is 6.2:1.
#4. University of Utah – Quinney Law School
The S.J. Quinney College of Legal, which is close to downtown Salt Lake City, provides students with job prospects in national and regional law firms, the Utah State Legislature, as well as federal and state courts. If you’re looking for law schools in Utah, the University of Utah might be your only option.
At the S.J. Quinney College of Law, students can tailor their J.D. curriculum based on the course content. Seven certificates for specialized study are available; they are in commercial law, criminal law, environmental and natural resources law, intellectual property law, international law, litigation and conflict resolution, and public interest law and policy. The college also provides specialist courses in technology law, criminal law, and intellectual property law.
For its full-time programs, the S.J. Quinney College of Law at the University of Utah (Quinney) levies a $60 application fee. Full-time tuition in-state is $30,459; full-time tuition out-of-state is $39,800. (out-of-state). There are 4.3 students for every faculty member.
#5. University of Nevada Los Angeles College of Law
Nevada University is Naturally, the largest city in Nevada and home to the Las Vegas School of Law in Las Vegas. The community is situated close to the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam in the southwestern region of Nevada. The city has all-night gambling and entertainment, which is enticing.
To complete the demanding workload of legal studies, the law student will need to exercise self-control and refuse the siren song of the bright lights, but if they are up for the task, Las Vegas provides an exciting world of prospects.
There are both full-time and part-time Juris Doctorate programs offered by the Nevada Law School. Civil process, criminal law, constitutional law, legal writing, contracts, property, and torts are the basic legal courses that students take at school to start their legal studies.
Students at the UNLV School of Law must also enrol in the “Lawyering Process,” a year-and-a-half-long course that focuses on projects that replicate real legal practice such as client interviews, opinion writing, and court motion drafting.
The Cost of tuition is $26,900 annually.
#6. University of California (Berkeley) Law School
Letter grades and GPAs are not used at the UC Berkeley School of Law. Additionally, students are not ranked against one another. In addition to offering specific curricular degrees in fields like Energy and Clean Technology Law and Environmental Law, the law school has pioneered curricula including intellectual property law and technology-related law.
Starting in the second semester, students can adjust their academics to match their interests. Students can even design their electives at the institution, which also provides interesting survey courses like Wine Law.
Through clinics, on-campus think tanks, and more than ten student newspapers, students may find ways to get involved.
The University of California-Berkeley School of Law charges $75 for applications to its full-time programs. Full-time in-state tuition is $56,858; full-time out-of-state tuition is $62,143. (out-of-state). The ratio of instructors to students is 6.5:1.
#7. University of California (Los Angeles) Law School
The UCLA School of Law, which has been around for over 60 years, is a well-regarded public institution. Specializations in business law and policy, critical racial studies, and entertainment, media, and intellectual property law are available to law students who want to tailor their legal education.
A J.D./MBA through the UCLA Anderson School of Management or a J.D./M.A. in Afro-American Studies through the UCLA Center for African American Studies are just two examples of combined degree programs that students can enrol in at UCLA.
The School of Law offers a unique depositions course in which students and faculty members take depositions in actual cases, as well as approximately 20 clinics where students can gain practical legal experience.
The University of California-Los Angeles School of Law charges $75 for applications to its full-time programs. Full-time in-state tuition is $52,468; full-time out-of-state tuition is $60,739 (out-of-state). The faculty-to-student ratio is 6.1 to 1.
#8. Pepperdine University School of Law
The Pepperdine University School of Law, which has a stellar reputation for its conflict resolution concentration, runs its curriculum on a picturesque campus in Malibu, California.
A J.D./M.Div., a J.D./M.B.A., and a J.D./Master of Public Policy are just a few of the options available to students interested in earning a joint degree through the Pepperdine University Seaver College Religion Division, George L. Graziadio School of Business and Management, and Pepperdine University (offered through the Pepperdine University School of Public Policy). The Master of Dispute Resolution (M.D.R.) program at Pepperdine Law enables students to earn a combination J.D./M.D.R. or joint M.D.R./Master of Public Policy degree.
At Pepperdine University’s Rick J. Caruso School of Law (Caruso), there is no application fee for the full-time program. At Pepperdine University’s Rick J. Caruso School of Law (Caruso), there is no application fee for the part-time program. Full-time tuition is $61,270. The ratio of faculty to students is 7.3:1.
#9. University of San Diego Law School
Students can get their degrees at the University of San Diego School of Law by enrolling full- or part-time. First-year courses must be taken in the evenings by part-time law students, although upper-level courses can be taken during the day.
The USD summer program, a seven-week course, is open to all continuing students. Among the concentrations available to J.D. students are in intellectual property law, business and corporate law, and international law. A J.D./M.B.A. through the University of San Diego School of Business Administration and a J.D./master’s of arts in international relations through the University of San Diego Department of Political Science and International Relations are two options for concurrent degree programs for students seeking more than a J.D.
The University of San Diego School of Law does not charge an application fee for its full-time programs. At the University of San Diego School of Law, there is no application fee for the part-time program. Full-time tuition is $58,821; part-time tuition is $43,581. 7.9:1 is the student-to-instructor ratio.
#10. University of New Mexico Law School
A public university with distinctive programs in topics like Indian law and natural resources law is the University of New Mexico School of Law. The UNM School of Law offers programs for law students such as the Business and Tax Clinic, the Community Lawyering Clinics, and the Southwest Indian Law Clinic, and has a high rating among law schools for clinical training.
Through several dual degree program options, including the J.D./M.B.A. offered by the University of New Mexico Anderson School of Management, the J.D./M.P.A. offered by the University of New Mexico School of Public Administration, and the J.D./M.A. in Latin American Studies offered by the University of New Mexico Latin American and Iberian Institute, students can also explore other academic fields.
At the University of New Mexico School of Law, the application fee for the full-time program is $50. Full-time in-state tuition is $18,201; full-time out-of-state tuition is $40,306. (out-of-state). The student-faculty ratio is 5:1.
#11. Loyola University Law School
A law school with a strong reputation for its trial advocacy and tax law speciality is Loyola Law School Los Angeles at Loyola Marymount University. Because of the school’s central location in Los Angeles, students can easily access major figures in the entertainment business as well as other fields. The Entertainment Law Practicum allows interested students to gain practical experience working with companies including Paramount Pictures, MGM-UA Studios, and Warner Bros. Television. Students at Loyola Los Angeles also contribute to the Loyola of Los Angeles Law Review, the Loyola of Los Angeles International and Comparative Law Review, and the Loyola of Los Angeles Entertainment Law Review.
For individuals looking to earn a J.D., Loyola Law School offers both a day program and an evening program. For students who want to complete their dual degrees in four rather than the typical five years, the university also offers a J.D./M.B.A. program in collaboration with the Loyola Marymount University College of Business Administration. Additionally, a three-year dual J.D./Tax L.L.M. curriculum is available to law students.
The Loyola Law School Los Angeles at Loyola Marymount University charges $65 for applications to its full-time program. The application fee for the part-time program at Loyola Law School Los Angeles at Loyola Marymount University is $65 per student. Full-time tuition is $60,860, and part-time tuition is $40,722. 10.6:1 is the student-to-instructor ratio.
#12. Oregon University School of Law
The only law school with state funding is the University of Oregon School of Law. It is situated in Eugene, the second-largest city in the state. Despite having the state’s top-ranked law program, the school oddly simultaneously has the lowest post-graduation employment rates.
Students interested in pursuing the public interest component of environmental law will find the University of Oregon to be the most alluring. The school sponsors an annual Public Interest Environmental Law Conference, offers a concentration and an LLM, and has student groups, alumni groups, and other organizations that concentrate on environmental issues and advocacy.
There is no application cost for the full-time program at the University of Oregon School of Law. Full-time in-state tuition is $42,024; full-time out-of-state tuition is $52,284. (out-of-state). 8:1 is the student-to-instructor ratio.
#13. Lewis & Clark University (Northwestern)
Portland, Oregon’s Lewis & Clark College Northwestern School of Law is a university that prioritizes adaptability. Law students at Lewis & Clark College have the option of completing their degrees on a full- or part-time basis, taking classes in the morning or the evening, and concentrating in areas of the law such as international law, Indian law, and more.
Students can participate in externships, clerkships, the Animal Law Clinic, the International Environmental Law Project, and other clinical programs to gain practical experience. The Center for Animal Law Studies, the National Crime Victim Law Institute, and the Natural Resources Law Institute are just a few of the institutions run by Northwestern Law School that provide research and training opportunities for law students.
The Northwestern School of Law at Lewis & Clark College (Northwestern) charges a $50 application fee for its full-time programs. The Northwestern School of Law at Lewis & Clark College (Northwestern) charges a $50 application fee for its part-time programs. Full-time tuition is $51,902 and part-time tuition is $38,936. The instructor-to-student ratio is 7.1:1.
#14. College of Law at Willamette University
Salem, the state capital, is home to Willamette University College of Law. It is the state’s lowest-ranked accredited law school. However, Willamette frequently has employment rates after graduation that are as good as or better than those of its rivals. The school’s well-established Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) program is also well-regarded.
The Willamette University College of Law does not charge an application fee for its full-time programs. There is no application fee for the part-time program at Willamette University College of Law. Full-time students pay $47,520 in tuition. 8.7:1 is the student-to-instructor ratio.
#15. University of Idaho Law School
The University of Idaho School of Law was the first college in Idaho to be accredited by the ABA. Its excellent professors and first-rate facilities will help you start a prosperous legal career. With a 60% acceptance rate, the University of Idaho’s law school has a demanding admissions process. Only a small number of the hundreds of applications they get are accepted. Their undergraduate GPA is 3.15 on average.
There are two locations for UI Law, one in Moscow and one in Boise (Idaho, not Russia). All students begin their legal studies in Moscow, and after that, they have the choice of finishing their degrees in Moscow or Boise.
The College of Law at the University of Idaho charges $50 for applications to its full-time programs. Full-time in-state tuition is $23,296; full-time out-of-state tuition is $42,532. (out-of-state). 8:1 is the student-to-instructor ratio.
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How To Apply For Law Schools In Arizona 2024
Applying to law schools in Arizona requires preparation. There is a standard protocol that all law schools adhere to. We have outlined the essential steps in the law school application procedure by the Law School Admission Council. They include:
- A consultation with the pre-law advisor at your undergraduate institution
- Open an account with LSAC.
- Enrol in and prepare for the LSAT
- Research law schools
- Meet the law school recruiters
- Open a Credential Assembly Service account (CAS)
- Acquire all required transcripts.
- Request letters of support
- Compose an individual statement.
- Let legal institutions discover you
- Apply online
Frequently Asked Questions
The University of Arizona Law has provided one of the greatest legal educations in the country since its establishment in 1915.
Only two accredited law schools are available in the state, one at the University of Arizona and the other at Arizona State University.
Sending the admissions committee an email with your request to postpone enrollment and a rationale is possible.
For the top 10% of attorneys in 2019, the median yearly compensation was above $208,000. Many recent law school graduates decide against practising law to achieve a better work-life balance.
Conclusion
The top law schools in Arizona that will accept students have all been listed.
There is no denying Arizona’s tremendous selection of law schools. The aforementioned Arizona law schools are some of the greatest and most well-known in the country.
As can be seen from the list above, Arizona is home to several prominent law schools.
The LSAT, GPA, and personal statements are just a few of the factors that determine which applications are approved.