You need a law school that will push you academically and set you up for success in your pursuit of a career in law. The bar exam is no joke, and it appears to be more challenging securing a job in the legal field.
Looking for the best law school in Illinois? You can avoid doing much research by relying on our work! We have described what makes each of these Illinois law schools unique and spotlighted the details you’ll need to know as a law school applicant.
Illinois law schools are regarded as some of the best in the nation and offer highly regarded legal curricula.
Continue reading to discover what makes each school unique!
Are There Law Schools in Illinois?
There are at least nine best law schools in Illinois that have received ABA approval and each of them offers a wide range of opportunities for professional advancement. The following describes some of those options.
As you begin your professional career, there are several reasons you might think about attending the best law schools in Illinois. The land of Lincoln can be the ideal spot for you to begin your career because it has programs that are well-regarded globally and special experiential learning possibilities in a significant U.S. legal market.
Read Also: 10 Best Law Schools in California | Cost, Requirements, How to Apply.
How Long is a Law School in Illinois?
The Juris Doctor (JD) is the first professional graduate degree in law and a professional doctorate that entitles holders to sit for the bar exam in all 50 states. The Illinois law schools JD program lasts three years and is full-time.
While accelerated programs can be finished in as little as two years and part-time J.D. programs normally require at least four years to complete, a standard, the full-time degree takes three years to complete.
What are the Requirements for Law Schools in Illinois
You must have successfully earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university to enroll in the best law schools in Illinois. Additionally, the Law School Admission Test must be taken (LSAT). The LSAT is a professional test that evaluates candidates’ abilities in logical reasoning, analytical reasoning, and reading comprehension.
In the same vein, you must submit your transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement for the LSAT. Your transcripts should demonstrate that you have completed related courses and received high marks.
It is best to get letters of recommendation from teachers or employers who can attest to your potential for success in law school. Last but not least, your statement should be well-written and demonstrate your motivation for attending law school.
How Much is the Tuition Fee of Illinois law schools?
Illinois law schools have very different tuition rates. On the other hand, the average tuition and fees for Illinois law schools are $46,103 for in-state students and $48,126 for out-of-state ones.
This article should be carefully read if you intend to enroll in one of Illinois law schools because it offers details about the costs at the institution that interests you, do further research on it.
You can pay for your education in several ways, including loans, work-study opportunities, grants, and scholarships.
Read Also: 15 Best Law Schools in Washington| 2023 Cost, Requirements, How to Apply
What Are the Best Law Schools in Illinois 2024?
Some of the best law schools in Illinois offer both part-time and full-time programs, with different tuition costs for each.
Compared to out-of-state students, in-state students at Illinois law schools benefit from reduced tuition prices.
The American Bar Association has accredited and approved all of the following institutions as the top law schools in Illinois (ABA).
- University of Chicago Law School
- Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law
- University of Illinois–Urbana-Champaign Law School
- Loyola University Chicago
- Illinois Institute of Technology (Chicago-Kent) Law School
- DePaul University Law School
- Northern Illinois University Law School
- Southern Illinois University—Carbondale Law School
- University of Illinois—Chicago
#1. University of Chicago Law School
Chicago, the third-largest city in the US, presents a wealth of chances for aspiring attorneys! The University of Chicago, which U.S. News and World Reports ranks as the third-best law school, is also located there.
The University of Chicago is regularly regarded as one of the most esteemed law schools in the world thanks to its remarkable statistics, which include a 98.7% bar passage rate and a 95% rate of employment at graduation.
With such impressive statistics, it is not surprising that the University of Chicago is a highly sought-after law school and one of the best law schools in Illinois.
With a competitive acceptance rate of 17.9%, you’ll want to make sure your law school application is strong enough to stand out from the competition if you intend to enroll.
The full-time program application fee at the Law School at the University of Chicago is $90. Its tuition is full-time: $72,081. The student-faculty ratio is 5.5:1.
#2. Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law
Since U.S. News and World Reports started disseminating its top law school rankings, Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law has been ranked among the best 14 law schools. It was Chicago’s first-ever organized law school, and it was formed in 1859!
The institution not only has a sizable number of student organizations, but they also provide appealing program options, such as its expedited J.D. program, which can be finished in just two years. It is one of the best law schools in Illinois to study.
Additionally, students have the option of registering for combined degrees such as a J.D./MBA with the Kellogg School of Management or a J.D./Ph.D. with the Northwestern Graduate School.
The full-time program application fee at the School of Law at Northwestern University (Pritzker) is $75. Its tuition is full-time: $69,650. The student-faculty ratio is 4.8:1.
#3. University of Illinois–Urbana-Champaign Law School
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, usually known as UIUC, is the main campus of the University of Illinois and is situated in the twin cities of Champaign and Urbana. It is regarded as being among the best public universities in Champaign. Two National Historic Landmarks and other structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places are also located on the campus.
UIUC is well-known for its engineering and business programs, but students hoping to enroll in law school here still need to submit a strong application to stand out from the competition.
At the University of Illinois College of Law in Urbana-Champaign, there is no application fee for the full-time program. Full-time in-state tuition is $38,248; full-time out-of-state tuition is $48,248. (out-of-state). The ratio of instructors to students is 5.5:1. Your dream to study in one of the best law schools in Illinois can be actualized here.
#4. Loyola University Chicago
There isn’t much more a student could ask for than access to diversity, city life, and networking possibilities at Loyola University Chicago, which also happens to be located in the center of Chicago. In addition, Loyola University Chicago provides more than 30 clubs and groups, like the sports and entertainment law society and the art law society, which are very helpful for law students.
As well as having a large number of periodicals and publications, the school also publishes the Loyola Consumer Law Review and the International Law Journal. Its commitment to an outstanding approach in the legal profession makes it effortless to group it among the best law schools in Illinois.
There is no application cost for the full-time program at Loyola University Chicago’s School of Law. There is no application cost for the part-time program at Loyola University Chicago’s School of Law. Both the full-time and part-time tuition amounts are $51,636. The ratio of faculty to students is 6.2:1.
#5. Illinois Institute of Technology (Chicago-Kent) Law School
If you want to advance your career in the legal profession, IIT is one of the best law schools in Illinois, to begin with.
Both a full-time and part-time legal curriculum are available at the institution, and part-time students have the option of taking classes during the day or in the evening.
The Chicago-Kent College of Law is renowned for its legal writing department and has a high trial advocacy program ranking among law schools. Law students have the option of concentrating their studies in various fields, such as intellectual property law, public interest law, and environmental and energy law. The IIT Stuart School of Business offers a J.D./M.B.A. program and a J.D./M.P.H. program for law students interested in pursuing a second degree.
Chicago-Kent College of Law at Illinois Institute of Technology (Chicago-Kent) does not charge an application fee for its full-time programs. The Chicago-Kent College of Law at the Illinois Institute of Technology (Chicago-Kent) charges no application fees for part-time programs. Full-time tuition is $51,120, while part-time tuition is $37,560. 8.9:1 is the student-to-faculty ratio.
#6. DePaul University Law School
De Paul offers both full-time and part-time legal program through its College of Law. After being accepted, candidates for DePaul’s law school scholarships are given consideration.
These scholarships include merit-based aid and, to a lesser extent, diversity-based grants (whether ethnic, racial, geographic, socio-economic, or another measure of diversity).
Students can focus their legal study on a variety of topics at the DePaul University College of Law in Chicago, including corporate law and taxation, intellectual property law and information technology, criminal law, and health law. It is a wonderful choice among the best law schools in Illinois.
The College of Law at DePaul University does not charge an application fee for its full-time programs. There is no application cost for the part-time program at DePaul University’s College of Law. Its full-time tuition is $50,140, and part-time tuition is $32,750. 7.9:1 is the student-to-instructor ratio.
#7. Northern Illinois University Law School
The faculty at NIU Law is dedicated to helping you succeed overall and developing practice-ready lawyers. They are knowledgeable and student-centered; and have maintained recognition as one of the best Law schools in Illinois.
This varied group, who received their education at some of the most famous Illinois law schools, offers a wide spectrum of professional experience to the classroom. The NIU Law faculty spend a lot of time creating creative learning strategies, getting students involved, and giving each student individualized attention. 10 BEST LAW SCHOOLS IN ILLINOIS | 2023 COST, REQUIREMENTS, HOW TO APPLY
The Northern Illinois University College of Law does not charge an application fee for its full-time programs. Full-time in-state tuition is $22,194; full-time out-of-state tuition is $22,194. (out-of-state). 9.2:1 is the student-to-instructor ratio.
#8. Southern Illinois University—Carbondale Law School
The one-rate tuition SIU Law charges all domestic students demonstrates its commitment to affordability as the sole public law school in the southern Illinois region and is one of the remarkable best law schools in Illinois. This implies that regardless of residency, all domestic students pay the same tuition cost!
Our graduates have debt loads that are lower than the national average for law schools thanks to the inexpensive cost of living in beautiful Southern Illinois. Therefore, there is more freedom for students to choose their career paths.
The Southern Illinois University-Carbondale School of Law does not charge an application fee for its full-time programs. Full-time in-state tuition is $23,551; full-time out-of-state tuition is $23,551. (out-of-state). 9:1 is the student-to-instructor ratio.
#9. University of Illinois—Chicago
UIC Law, the only public law school in Chicago, is dedicated to serving the city’s residents as well as that outside of it. It is one of the prominent Illinois law schools.
Under the guidance of seasoned attorneys, you will help real people with real legal issues as a law student, including those who have experienced domestic violence or housing discrimination, veterans who have been denied VA benefits, entrepreneurs or inventors with limited resources, people seeking protection from persecutors, or organizations trying to improve economic opportunities in underserved communities. You’ll be proud of the changes you make and the person you become.
The University of Illinois Chicago School of Law does not charge an application fee for its full-time programs. The University of Illinois Chicago School of Law does not charge an application fee for part-time programs. Full-time in-state tuition is $40,762; full-time out-of-state tuition is $49,762; part-time in-state tuition is $30,782; and part-time out-of-state tuition is $37,382. (out-of-state). 9.1:1 is the student-to-faculty ratio.
Best Law School close to Illinois
#10. The Law School at the University of Wisconsin—Madison
Students at UW Law study, not just the law, but also the history of the legal system, how it developed to meet societal issues, and how it functions in practice. This is why Wisconsin will produce a distinct sort of lawyer for you and why UW is a unique kind of law school.
The University of Wisconsin Law School’s full-time program application cost is $60. Full-time in-state tuition is $30,282; full-time out-of-state tuition is $48,978; part-time in-state tuition is $1,293; and part-time out-of-state tuition is $2,072 (out-of-state). 7.9:1 is the student-to-instructor ratio. 10 BEST LAW SCHOOLS IN ILLINOIS | 2023 COST, REQUIREMENTS, HOW TO APPLY
How Do I APPLY to Illinois Law Schools?
The procedure is the same whether you’re applying to the best law school in Illinois or anywhere else in the nation.
The LSAT is the first stage in the application process for law school. Although there are no minimum LSAT requirements for law school, each one has median LSAT scores that can be used to compare applicants to their prior incoming classes. Always keep in mind that Illinois law schools are looking to enroll the best of the best, so make sure you offer yourself the best chance by improving your LSAT score.
Frequently Asked Questions
Law school is quite harder than normal universities or colleges but up to 40,000 students graduate from a law school which shows that is very attainable.
The highest level of law degree is considered to be DOCTOR OF JURIDICIAL SCIENCE
Yale law school.
160 and above is regarded as a good score. It can afford you many reputable Illinois law schools and other states in the US
3 months of preparation is usually advised for a very high grade.
Conclusion
Illinois law schools are reasonably priced and accessible. They have a high acceptance rate, which raises the likelihood that applicants will be accepted into the best law schools in Illinois.
However, it is crucial to move quickly to prepare the necessary materials to be suitably eligible for admission to Indiana law schools.
The pre-law colleges in Illinois that were discussed in this article should be taken into consideration by any aspirant who has not yet earned a bachelor’s degree.