University of Minnesota

Located in Minneapolis, University of Minnesota Law School was originally established in 1888. It has grown over the decades to become a celebrated institution with a student population of just under 700. Considered one of the smaller law schools, it has over 200 faculty members, 64 of whom are full time.

University of Minnesota Law School offers a wide variety of study options. Along with a traditional J.D. degree, students can also choose to complete joint degrees like a JD/MBA, JD/MA, or a JD/Ph.D. There are several required courses for first-year students, but they are able to choose between courses in corporate law, international law, civil procedure, or law perspectives as electives. Once they have completed their first year, students only have two mandatory classes. Many individuals choose to focus on a particular area of study. The most popular areas of study include environmental law, healthcare law, and international law. Minnesota Law is well-known for having a wide array of electives to choose from, with almost 200 courses that students can select based on their interests.

Students can also take advantage of the 20 clinical courses offered. More than half of all law students participate in a clinical course before graduation. Students are able to take on real cases and clients to help them perfect their legal strategies. Also, students rarely have a hard time securing a spot in the clinic of their choice. There are 10 research centers and institutes at the University of Minnesota Law School, including the Consortium on Law and Values in Health, Environment and the Life Sciences, and the Human Rights Center. Nearly all students take advantage of moot court experiences or writing for a legal journal during their second year. There are many publications to choose from. “Minnesota Law Review” is the 10^th most cited legal journal in the entire country. Students can also edit “Law and Inequality” and “Minnesota Journal of International Law.” More than 175 students work on these publications every year.

There are also many opportunities for learning outside the classroom or clinic setting. There are approximately 40 student organizations on campus, from the Interfaith Law League to T.O.R.T. which puts on the annual law school musical production. Individuals can also take advantage of study abroad programs. Minnesota Law offers programs in many countries, including Renmin University in Beijing, University of Uppsala in Sweden, and the Bucerius Law School in Germany. University of Minnesota Law School is praised for creating a tough academic curriculum, while also allowing students the chance to participate in extracurricular activities.

2020 acceptance rate: 36.45%

Number of 2020 applicants: 2,088

Number of 2020 matriculants: 209

LSAT (median): 165

GPA (median): 3.77

LSAT (25 to 75 percentile): 160 to 166

GPA (25 to 75 percentile): 3.54 to 3.85

Early decision deadline is December 31.

Regular decision deadline is July 15.

Transfer application deadline is August 1.

New Minnesota law school students must start in the fall.

In-state tuition* (2020-2021): $43,704
* South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Manitoba residents can apply to pay the in-state tuition rate.

Out-of-state tuition (2020-2021): $52,560

Room, board, and other (2020-2021): $19,702

Estimated in-state cost of attendance (2020-2021): $63,406

Estimated out-of-state cost of attendance (2020-2021): $72,262

Students who receive grants: 91%

Median grant amount: $30,500

Conditional Scholarships

University of Minnesota Law School does not award law school scholarships that may be reduced or eliminated based on academic performance other than failure to maintain good academic standing.

Employment Statistics
Employed full-time, long-term, bar passage required: 87.3%
Employed full-time, long-term, JD advantage: 5.1%

Career Placement Results
BigLaw: 12.7%
Federal Clerkships: 6.3%

Transfers
Net Transfers: +2
Transfers Out: 7

Average Bar Passage Differential (first-time takers): 13.42%

Class Size Analysis
Under 25: 75%
25-49: 19%
50-74: 3%
75-99: 2%
100+: 1%