Pennsylvania, officially known as the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a constituent state of the United States of America. Even before World War II, Pennsylvania was one of the most important coal, steel, and railroad industrial centers in the United States.
With museums and diverse cultural groups which bring people from over the globe, its law school is second to none as it ranks with other great schools in the United States.
Law Schools in Pennsylvania are very competitive because they get a lot of applicants every academic year.
In this article, you’ll come to terms with the Best Law Schools in Pennsylvania.
Law Schools in Pennsylvania
If you’ve decided to take your legal career to the next level, Pennsylvania is one place you should consider.
Law schools in Pennsylvania are known to stand out with a record for excellence, as their students always come out as the best in their respective fields of discipline.
With different options like Criminal law, Business law, Tax law, Environmental law, Family Law, Health law, etc., applicants tend to have a sense of direction when choosing these schools because they are sure about which law degree they’ll be specializing in.
Pennsylvania has few law schools, but they remain among the finest and most prestigious in the United States. These are the law schools in Pennsylvania:
- 1. Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law
- 2. Duquesne University School of Law
- 3. Penn State Dickinson Law
- 4. Penn State Law
- 5. University of Pennsylvania Law School
- 6. University of Pittsburgh School of Law
- 7. Temple University School of Law
- 8. Villanova University School of Law
- 9. Widener University Commonwealth Law School
What are the Best Law Schools in Pennsylvania?
As a College applicant hoping to be admitted into a law school, you’d have to go with the best options to guarantee a different certificate or employment after graduation.Â
There are important criteria a law applicant in Pennsylvania should go for: quality of education, opportunities, rankings, location, selectivity, placement success, and bar passage rate. Choosing the Best Law Schools in Pennsylvania wouldn’t be a challenge as there aren’t many law schools in the state.
These Schools are placed as the best because they offer their students opportunities to become the best in their field, thus making them every law school applicant’s dream. These are the Best Law Schools in Pennsylvania:
- 1. University of Pennsylvania
- 2. Villanova University
- 3. Pennsylvania State University
- 4. Temple University
Don’t Fail to Also Read; 15 Best Law School in South Carolina
Top Law Schools in Pennsylvania
The process of applying to a law school is a very tedious one because it requires thorough research and hard work. Therefore, you must fully understand how choosing to study law and the school you choose can affect your future.
Picking a law school is a sensible choice that every applicant must make at some point in their academic movement. Any wrong choice would hinder or sabotage your plans of moving forward.Â
The Top Law Schools in Pennsylvania offer the best law academics. These schools are labeled in terms of acceptance rate and a well-structured educational system.
Here are the top law schools in Pennsylvania:
1. Pennsylvania State University
Pennsylvania State University is located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. The School of Law offers two degrees in J.D, LL.M., and joint degree Programs.
Students are advised to enroll at least 12 credits per semester and not more than 17 credits per semester. Students can have up to six credits towards their J.D. degree from approved graduate-level courses offered by other departments in the University.
Pennsylvania State University offers Students joint degrees in J.D/MBA, M.P. A, and Masters in Public Health. The tuition fee for students who want to study in-state or out-state for a full academic year is $50,582.
2. Villanova University School of Law
Villanova University’s School of Law is a fraction of the Villanova University located in Villanova. The Charles Widger School of Law offers different Law Degrees, including the Juris Doctor Program for approximately 3 years. The School also offers joint degree programs, including JD/MBA, JD/LL.M in Taxation.Â
Students are placed with the option to either have both the JD and the graduate law degree in taxation and with LL.M in an additional semester. Moreover, Villanova University law school offers JD/LL,M in International Studies and LL.M in Taxation. The tuition fee is $46,535.
3. University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania law school is among the most selective and oldest law schools in the world. Overall, it ranks 7th in U.S. News & World Report. University of Pennsylvania Law School offers Juris Doctor Program alongside the LL.M program. There are three LL.M graduate Programs, including LL.M, and LL.CM and S.J.D.
The LL.CM is a 1-year master’s program in Comparative law. The law college offers a Master in Law ML, and Law students can earn an additional degree in three years. So they can complete a J.D. and another degree, including an M.B.A., a master’s in bioethics, and a master’s of City & Regional Planning. With an $80 application fee, students can pay $65,804 for their tuition fees.
Another state with great law schools is California. Check Out the Best Law Schools in California | Ranking
How Long is Law School in Pennsylvania?
According to ABA, a full-time J.D. program is for three years. While rushed law programs would be completed in two years, a part-time J.D. program would take at least four years.
It’s the same for law schools in Pennsylvania, as it takes about four years to complete a full semester program in a law degree. Graduates from law schools in Pennsylvania confirm that the law program is academically demanding and emotionally intense, especially during the first year.
One thing about getting a law degree is that initially, it’ll seem long, but immediately after you find yourself in the system, it’ll be easier to move forward till you’ve completed the degree.
Law Schools in Harrisburg Pennsylvania
The City of Harrisburg, the state capital of Pennsylvania, has a rich history that spans more than 200 years. With the cost of living 25.1% lower than the U.S. average, Harrisburg is home to about 49,322 people.
There’s only one Law school in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, which is:
Widener University Commonwealth Law School
Widener University Commonwealth Law School is a law school located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and part of Widener University, a private university in Wilmington, Delaware.
What is the Easiest Law School to get into?
Every law school has an acceptance rate that measures the maximum percentage of students they’re willing to admit every academic year. It differs for each law school because of their different structures and holding capacities.Â
In applying to a law school, you should put your applications first to the law schools with a higher acceptance rate to increase your chances of being admitted and put you in a safe spot.Â
The Easiest Law School to get into in Pennsylvania is:
You Can Also Check Out;Â Best Law Schools in Michigan | Ranking
Widener University Commonwealth Law School
Widener University is marked with the highest acceptance rate of 68.09%. It is very accommodating to applicants, and admission isn’t quite strict as long as you follow the requirements placed by the school.Â
This university is the easiest law school to get into in Pennsylvania. Law students hoping to study in Pennsylvania tend to drop applications here a lot because of their high acceptance rate compared to other law schools in Pennsylvania.
Law Schools in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is a city in Western Pennsylvania in the United States. Its population makes up an estimate of over 302,205 people.
Law Schools in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, are known for providing a world-class legal education giving students better employment scores after graduation. These are the Law Schools in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania:
1. Duquesne University School of Law
Duquesne University is a private Catholic university. It is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1911. The University is ABA approved and an American Association of Law Schools member.Â
Duquesne University School of Law is ranked 6th in the United States as the “Top Law School for Bar Passage.” The School of Law was recently recognized among the top law schools in the country whose graduates surpass associate universities in terms of bar-passage rate.
2. University of Pittsburgh Law School
The University of Pittsburgh is ranked #78 in Best Law Schools. This was ranked according to their performance across a set of widely accepted indicators of excellence. The University of Pittsburgh Law provides world-class legal education, advancing and transforming law in all areas of society.
Cheapest Law Schools in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania law schools are one of the least expensive law schools in the United States. These schools are quite affordable and would still offer their students the best of their services.
Whenever there’s a struggle to pay these fees, Some Law Schools in Pennsylvania provide funding in terms of scholarships to financially assist students finding it hard to complete the required fees.
While applying to law schools, you should have your financial budget in mind; it’ll guide you into the best-suited law school. Every law school in Pennsylvania has a particular tuition fee for both in-state and out-state applicants; it all depends on the choice of school you decide to go for at the end of the day.Â
The Cheapest law School in Pennsylvania include:
1. Drexel University School of Law
With a tuition fee of about $420 per semester, $1,630 per credit hour, and $48,900 for an annual flat rate, Drexel University tops other law schools in Pennsylvania as the Cheapest law school.Â
Drexel University is first considered an option for international students and those already in the state. The tuition fee makes it possible for low-income earners to gain access to school quickly.Â
2. Temple University
Temple University is the Second Cheapest law school in Pennsylvania, with an in-state tuition of $16,970 and out-of-state tuition of $29,882. Every academic year, it records many law applicants because the tuition fee is very favorable.Â
Pre-Law Schools in Pennsylvania
Law applicants take pre-Law Schools in preparation for studying at a law school. This Pre-Law Program is designed to assist students interested in furthering their degree in a legal field.Â
It’s advisable for law school aspirants to select a major that is challenging while sharpening their research, writing, and presentation skills. Pre-law students are mostly majoring in Philosophy, Political Science, History, Management, Psychology, English, and Sociology.Â
Pre-law Schools in Pennsylvania are open to students of any major. These are the Pre-Law Schools in Pennsylvania:
1. Mount Aloysius College
Mount Aloysius Pre-law College is designed to prepare students to compete successfully for law school admission and excel in the law school environment. The curriculum provides a foundation in liberal arts, criminology and court processes, ethics, and the law. After completing the curriculum, students will receive a bachelor’s degree in History/Political Science or Criminology with a concentration in Pre-Law.
2. Thomas Jefferson university
Thomas Jefferson University is a private research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was established in 1824 before officially combining with Philadelphia University in 2017. Thomas Jefferson University offers pre-law programs to help students advance in law.Â
3. DeSales university
DeSales University is a private Catholic university in Center Valley, Pennsylvania. The university has a track in criminal justice-pre law program, which is available for students who want to pursue a career in law, especially those who wish to have a career in criminal law.
Law Schools in Pennsylvania rankings
Law Schools in Pennsylvania rankings are based on the U.S. News and World Report as they specialize in comparing and ranking different schools, universities, and organizations at large.
All accredited law schools in the US are ranked using various criteria. These criteria include the school’s acceptance rate, job placement rate after graduation, bar passage rate, tuition fee, the student-to-faculty ratio, and median LSAT scores and GPAs of those accepted.
Law school rankings are very important when starting the application process because they’ll help you determine whether the school is worth applying to. It’ll also help you decide on the proper application statistics to be a competitive candidate.
International students typically apply to law schools in Pennsylvania based on their rankings because the higher a school is ranked, the more likely its graduates will be widely sought after by employers after graduation.
These are the Law Schools in Pennsylvania rankings from the highest to the least:
- 1. University of Pennsylvania
- 2. Villanova University
- 3. Pennsylvania State University Dickinson Law
- 4. Temple University
- 5. Pennsylvania State University
- 6. Drexel University
- 7. University of Pittsburgh
- 8. Duquesne University
- 9. Widener University
Which Pennsylvania State Law School is Better?
According to the Princeton Review, of all the state law schools in Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania State University, Dickinson’s Law is one of the nation’s most outstanding law schools. It ranked No. 5 among schools in the Northeast.Â
Pennsylvania State University is a top-ranked public state university known for its high-quality academics and impressive academic programs and extracurricular activities.
With an acceptance rate of 58.7% and a tuition fee of $18,450 for in-state applicants and $35,514 for out-state applicants, it tops other state law schools in Pennsylvania.
Part-time Law Schools in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has few part-time law schools to make the academic program less stressful for students with busy work schedules. It makes it easy for these applicants to still get a legal degree while working and practicing in their field afterward.
Part-time Law schools in Pennsylvania have a very flexible academic calendar to support law applicants who want to get a law degree but still have to maintain a stable job while at it. These are the Part-time Law Schools in Pennsylvania:
- 1. Temple University
- 2. Duquesne University
- 3. Widener University
ABA-Approved Law Schools in Pennsylvania
The ABA currently approves 9 law schools in Pennsylvania. In most U.S. states, a law school graduate wouldn’t be able to take the bar exam without attending a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA).Â
The ABA accreditation process is meticulous and lengthy; it lasts for a minimum of three years. The accreditation process is designed in such a manner to ensure a level of national consistency in legal education and practice.
Passing the bar exam is a requirement for law practice almost everywhere in the United States. You must attend a school approved by the ABA to enable you to sit for the bar exam in any state.
Here are the ABA-Approved Law Schools in Pennsylvania:
- 1. Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law
- 2. Duquesne University School of Law
- 3. Penn State Dickinson Law
- 4. Penn State Law
- 5. University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School
- 6. University of Pittsburgh School of Law
- 7. Temple University School of Law
- 8. Villanova University School of Law
- 9. Widener University Commonwealth Law School
Public Law Schools in Pennsylvania
Most law school applicants would prefer attending a public law school in Pennsylvania since it increases their chances of employment after law school. A graduate from a prestigious law school is very respected in society.Â
These public schools put their graduates on the market after law school, thus making it easy for them to find their feet in society. With many alumni from these public law schools in Pennsylvania, the school system creates an avenue for networking.Â
Pennsylvania has two public law schools, and they are:
- 1. University of Pittsburgh
- 2. Temple University
How many Law Schools are there In Pennsylvania?
Law Schools in Pennsylvania are on the second list of law schools with the most full-time applications directly after law schools in California. There are not many Pennsylvania law schools, but the law schools found here stand out as one of the best law schools in the United States.
There are 9 law schools in Pennsylvania. Each law school is distinct in its quality of education and the services they provide to its students. One reason Pennsylvania is everyone’s choice is that the state has a very affordable cost of living.
Pennsylvania is home to nine prestigious law schools, so it’s no surprise that it’s a great place to practice law.
Colleges with Law programs In Pennsylvania
A law degree is a professional degree in society; it comes with a lot of hard work and discipline. Pennsylvania is one of the States in the U.S., amongst others, that has colleges with law programs.Â
There are Colleges with Law with Law programs in Pennsylvania. These Colleges offer diverse categories of law, giving their students enough options to decide on what discipline to further practice in their legal education.Â
These are the Colleges with Law programs in Pennsylvania:
1. Peirce College
Peirce College is a private college in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The college focuses on mostly adult learners. It is a small institution with a total of 225 undergraduate students. Pierce College offers common majors like Business, Paralegal, Criminal Justice, and Law Enforcement Administration.
2. Dickinson College
Dickinson College is a private liberal arts college founded in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. The College was formerly known as Carlisle Grammar in 1773.
Dickinson was chartered on 9th September 1783, making it the first college to be founded after the formation of the United States. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of about 1,932 students.
3. Clarion University of Pennsylvania
The Clarion University of Pennsylvania is a public university in Clarion, Pennsylvania. It is one of 14 universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. The school was founded in 1867. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 3,587 students.Â
4. Northampton Community College
Northampton Community College is a public community college in Pennsylvania with campuses in Bethlehem Township in Northampton County and Tannersville in Monroe County. The college was founded in 1967 and has satellite locations on the south side of Bethlehem and Hawley.Â
Frequently Asked Questions
What LSAT score do I need for the University of Pennsylvania?
If you’re applying to law school at the University of Pennsylvania, you’ll need to get an LSAT score of 171 or above to stand a chance to get selected amongst other applicants.Â
What GPA do you need to get into any law school in Pennsylvania?
Law schools in Pennsylvania are known for their high standards. To get into a law school, you’ll need a GPA of 3.5 or higher to top their requirement.Â
How can I be eligible for a scholarship?
Scholarships are awarded to students mostly on terms of merit. If a student is outstanding in their discipline and comes out at the top of their grades, the school’s system would ensure that the student is rewarded with a scholarship to encourage other students to do better.
Conclusion
Applying to a Pennsylvania law school is something you’d not regret. With ABA-approved law schools and well-structured facilities and libraries, these schools would offer great opportunities for students to attain a greater height in their careers.
I hope this article has made it easier for you to know which law school to place your applications for in the next academic year.Â
References
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