University of Minnesota Law School

There are a number of ways to judge the talent level of students a law school attracts: GPA, LSAT scores, five-year bar passage rate.

The University of Minnesota Law School ranks first among all the schools in the state in all three categories. It has one of the highest GPA and LSAT scores in the Upper Midwest region.

"At Minnesota Law, we prepare students to make an impact on their community and a difference in the world," said Dean Garry W. Jenkins. "For example, during their years with us, students have successfully briefed and argued state and federal appeals, shaped legislation, and participated in human rights advocacy work at the U.N.  Every aspect of the Minnesota Law experience--from engagement with our world-class faculty and our collaborative and supportive community to our experiential learning opportunities and innovative programs--is designed to push and develop students to become the next generation of great lawyer-leaders." 

The school recieved  A rankings on programs such as Legal Technology, Family Law, Business Law, International Law, Environmental Law, Employment Law, IP Law and Trial Advocacy and Litigation, according to a National Jurist analysis. 

Given those figures, it is no surprise that it has produced 12 governors and 27 U.S. Senate and House members. One alumnus was a former U.S. Vice President, who later became the namesake of the law school’s mascot: the “Fighting Mondales.”

The University of Minnesota offers a large clinical program, with 25 clinics that are widely accessible to students and provide real-world experience. A first-year required course, Law in Practice, combined with simulation and policy development capstone courses, concentrations, externships and leadership training, prepares students for careers of their choice.

The school features semester exchange programs with other universities around the world. On the downside, it is one of the more expensive public law schools, with tuition greater than $42,000 for residents and debt approaching $100,000 for graduates.