6 Best law schools in Florida
If you’re searching for the best law schools in Florida, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll be showcasing eight of the best law schools in the state, taking into account factors such as academics, facilities, and approval rates.
Which law school in Florida would you choose if given the chance? While I’m unsure of your selection, chances are it’s included in the list of schools we’ll be discussing.
Florida boasts some of the best law schools in the United States, with internationally recognized law colleges offering highly sought-after programs.
Best law schools in Florida
1. Barry University
Barry Law, also known as The Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law, is situated in Orlando, Florida and is a part of the academic college of Barry University located in Miami Shores, Florida. The school provides diverse programs for both full-time and part-time students, including a three-year daytime program and a four-year extended studies program during the evening for working students. The Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law was established in 1999.
In July 2018, the bar passage rate for Barry Law was 45.5%, which is lower than the statewide average of 67.2%. The 2020 class had an average LSAT score of 148 and an average GPA of 3.02, while the school had an acceptance rate of 58.99%. Of those who were accepted, only 21.84% enrolled.
2. University of Florida (Levin)
The University of Florida Fredric G. Levin College of Law (UF Law) is situated in Gainesville, Florida and is the law school of the University of Florida. Founded in 1909, it is the oldest functioning public law school in Florida and the second oldest in the state overall.
The law school typically admits around 200 students for each entering class in its three-year J.D. program, with the first-year class divided into three sections consisting of approximately 50-70 students who attend most first-year classes together. UF Law’s distinguished reputation and standing in the state of Florida have produced several notable alumni in Florida’s state judiciary, government, media, and business, as well as throughout the United States.
According to U.S. News & World Report, UF Law is ranked as the sixth-highest public law school and the highest-ranked law school in Florida.
3. Florida State University
The Florida State University College of Law, located in Tallahassee, Florida, is the law school of Florida State University. It was established in 1966 and borders the southeast quadrant of the university’s campus, close to the Donald L. Tucker Center, an arena and part of the Tallahassee civic center area. The College of Law campus comprises four major buildings, four historic houses surrounding a green area, and five parking lots. It occupies two full city blocks, directly across the street from the Florida Supreme Court and one block away from the Florida Legislature. The school’s most recent addition is the Advocacy Center, which spans 50,000 square feet and includes five courtrooms.
As per Florida State University’s 2016 ABA-required disclosures, 72.6% of the Class of 2015 obtained full-time, long-term, bar passage-required employment ten months after graduation. According to the same disclosures, 81.7% of the Class of 2015 secured full-time, long-term, bar passage-required jobs, or JD preferred positions, within ten months of graduation.
4. Florida International University
The College of Law at Florida International University is situated in Miami, Florida, in the United States, and is the law school of the university. It has earned accreditation from the American Bar Association, and it is the sole public law school in South Florida.
In the city of Miami, Florida, which is renowned for its vibrancy and dynamism, FIU Law provides law students with personalized educational attention along with access to real-world experiences necessary for their readiness in modern law practice. This is an optimal combination of a college town community and the resources of a cosmopolitan city, and it could be the recipe for your professional success.
5. Florida A&M University
The FAMU College of Law is an American Bar Association-accredited law school located in Orlando, Florida, USA, and is part of Florida A&M University.
The College boasts of an onsite law library that is open to the public. Its primary objective is to augment study, learning, research, and service undertaken at the College of Law by offering current and prospective resources and services to meet the information requirements of its faculty, students, and staff.
The secondary objective of the Law Library is to provide valuable community service by granting access to its collections to the local legal community and the public at large.
6. Ave Maria School of Law
Ave Maria School of Law, which was established in 1999, is an independent Roman Catholic law school located in Vineyards, Florida. It is accredited by the ABA and consistently ranked as the “most conservative” and “most devout” law school in the United States.
The law school provides a unique legal education that emphasizes professional excellence, the ethical foundations of the law, and the integration of faith and reason. As a Catholic law school of national significance, Ave Maria Law is dedicated to producing highly skilled graduates who can analyze the law, its underlying principles, and their place within the legal system.