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 nearly 600. Considered one of the smaller law schools, it has 200 faculty members, 62 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 in 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 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 more than 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.

2018 acceptance rate: 34.94%

Number of 2018 applicants: 1,966

Number of 2018 matriculants: 220

LSAT (median): 164

GPA (median): 3.76

LSAT (25 to 75 percentile): 161 to 166

GPA (25 to 75 percentile): 3.52 to 3.88

Early decision deadline is January 15.

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* (2018-2019): $42,840
* South Dakota, Wisconsin and Manitoba residents can apply to pay the in-state tuition rate.

Out-of-state tuition (2018-2019): $51,528

Room, board and other (2018-2019): $18,478

Estimated in-state cost of attendance (2018-2019): $61,318

Estimated out-of-state cost of attendance (2018-2019): $70,006

Students who receive grants: 87%

Median grant amount: $25,000

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: 80.5%
Employed full-time, long-term, JD advantage: 6.3%

Career Placement Results
BigLaw: 7.8%
Federal Clerkships: 5.4%

Transfers
Net Transfers: +3
Transfers Out: 6

Average Bar Passage Differential (first time takers): 8.16%