Future lawyers flock to Florida for its sunny weather and law schools with low tuition fees. As a result, the state has a competitive job market and high density of law firms. If you’re looking at a graduate school education in Florida and know you’re going into law, you’ll want to narrow your choices to the best law schools in Florida to increase your job prospects after graduation.
From private universities like Barry University School, St. Thomas University, Ave Maria School, Nova Southeastern University, Florida Southern College, to public schools like Miami Law, and Florida A&M University College, Florida has several options.
Here’s a list of the best law schools* in Florida, based on rankings obtained from U.S. News and World Report.
*All data in this post was obtained from U.S. News and World Report.
Top 5 Best Law Schools in Florida
- Florida State University College of Law (Tie)
- University of Florida—Levin College of Law (Tie)
- Florida International University
- University of Miami
- Stetson University
These Florida law schools are among the top law schools in the United States and have highly-ranked law programs. Keep reading to see what makes each school stand out.
1. Florida State University College of Law (Tie)
U.S. News Top Law School Ranking: #38
Tuition: $20,693 (in-state); $40,705 (out-of-state)
Median Undergrad GPA of Program Entrants: 3.91
Median LSAT Score of Program Entrants: 165
Acceptance Rate: 19.9%
First-Time Bar Passage Rate: 83%
You can’t beat the location of Florida State University College of Law. The campus is right across the street from the Florida Supreme Court and one block away from the Florida Capitol. Living and going to school in a state capital gives FSU law students some amazing opportunities. Many make connections that allow them to start successful careers in Florida, across the United States, and around the world.
Florida State is committed to the success of its students. This Florida law school has one of the most extensive clinical externship programs in the United States, which places students in more than 100 offices in Florida and across the US. The school’s commitment to its students is reflected in an 83% first-time Bar passage rate (compared to 65% for the state as a whole). 97.3% of recent FSU Law students are employed (many of them across Florida) but alumni can also be found nationwide. This makes FSU the 6th best law school when it comes to recent graduate employment.
If you’re hoping to be part of the 13.9% of students receiving grants of more than full tuition at FSU Law, focus on your LSAT score. First-year law scholarships are awarded to students on the basis of merit, considering the LSAT score AND cumulative GPA.
1. University of Florida Levin College of Law (Tie)
U.S. News Top Law School Ranking: #38
Tuition: $21,804 (in-state); $38,040 (out-of-state)
Median Undergrad GPA of Program Entrants: 3.9
Median LSAT Score of Program Entrants: 169
Acceptance Rate: 17.4%
First-Time Bar Passage Rate: 81.9%
What does the University of Florida Levin College of Law have going for it besides a healthy daily dose of Vitamin D? Try the #2 Tax Law program and #14 in dispute resolution. It’s also tied for the #1 law school in Florida. Not too shabby for a school that’s also considered a great return on investment.
In your first year, you’ll learn foundational areas of the law and develop the essential competencies needed to be a lawyer. During the second and third years of law school, you’ll have the opportunity to join an array of activities, including law journals, law review, and moot court teams.
Once you graduate, you can take advantage of the University of Florida’s extensive global alumni network if you need help finding a job. If you’re interested in social justice, UF Law provides funding for students who wish to work with government entities and public interest organizations during the summer.
3. Florida International University College of Law
U.S. News Top Law School Ranking: #84
Tuition: $21,115 (in-state); $34,900 (out-of-state)
Median Undergrad GPA of Program Entrants: 3.73
Median LSAT Score of Program Entrants: 160
Acceptance Rate: 21%
First-Time Bar Passage Rate: 86.5%
Located just west of downtown Miami, Florida International University College of Law is a strong public law school with good programs in international law and legal writing. It’s also ranked the 23rd in part-time law, making it a good option for those unable to go to school full-time.
Students at FIU Law can gain real legal experience through its Semester-In-Practice Program. Third and fourth-year law students receive full-time practical experience for a semester at a private firm, a corporation, a nonprofit, legal services organization, or a government agency in Florida, the U.S., or even abroad.
With a moderate median LSAT score of 160 and a first-time bar passage rate more than 20% higher than the state average, FIU Law graduates are poised to dominate the Florida legal scene upon graduation.
Sign up to get expert tips and exclusive invites to free LSAT classes and law school admissions workshops!
4. University of Miami School of Law
U.S. News Top Law School Ranking: #92
Tuition: $66,306
Median Undergrad GPA of Program Entrants: 3.76
Median LSAT Score of Program Entrants: 163
Acceptance Rate: 29.1%
First-Time Bar Passage Rate: 75.6%
Get a top-ranked law degree and live your best life in South Beach when you attend the University of Miami School of Law. Not only is it one of the best law schools in Florida, but it also has one of the best faculty-to-law students ratios (6.4:1) in the United States, and it’s not uncommon to be on a first-name basis with your law professors. That’s a huge perk, considering some of the best lawyers in Miami teach at the school.
If location is a major determining factor in choosing a law school—be it the best law school in the United States or just in Florida—you can’t beat this one. South Florida has become a leading financial hub, perfectly complementing the University of Miami’s strong tax law program.
Don’t worry if you’re not sure what law you want to practice when applying to Miami Law. When you’re ready, you can focus your studies with concentrations in areas such as social justice law, litigation & dispute resolution, environmental law, or immigration, asylum and citizenship law. There are also opportunities to join the law review.
With an impressive first-time Florida bar passage rate of 75.6% and a promising law school acceptance rate, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to keep Miami Law on your list of law schools in Florida.
5. Stetson University College of Law
U.S. News Top Law School Ranking: #99
Tuition: $54,892 (full-time); $36,704 (part-time)
Median Undergrad GPA of Program Entrants: 3.6
Median LSAT Score of Program Entrants: 158
Acceptance Rate: 41%
First-Time Bar Passage Rate: 76.7%
As the first law school in Florida, Stetson University College of Law is no stranger to making history. This Florida law school also pushed the state into requiring pro bono service by students and faculty and is one of the few law schools to share space with a working court—Florida’s Second District Court of Appeal. Not surprisingly, Stetson Law is ranked #1 for its trial advocacy program.
Stetson Law students can apply for its full-time or part-time program and graduate in nearly the same time, plus or minus a year. The application deadline for both programs is May 15th, allowing you to choose an LSAT date in the fall or early in the year.
Can Law Schools Close?
When extenuating circumstances arise, law schools can end up closing. Take the Florida Coastal School as an example. The school was cut off from the federal student loan program due to a lack of financial resources.
Florida Coastal Law School was operating under the American Bar Association’s Teach-Out Plan, which allowed remaining students to complete their studies at other law schools but receive a J.D. from Florida Coastal School. The school was permanently closed in 2021.
How Do I Get Accepted Into a Law School in Florida?
Whether you’re applying to the best law school in Florida or another part of the country, the process is the same. The first step in the law school admissions timeline is to take the LSAT. Although there are no required LSAT scores for law school, all of them have median LSAT scores that give you a pretty good indication of how you compare to their previous incoming class. Remember, law schools want to attract the best of the best, so make sure you give yourself the ultimate shot by getting a high LSAT score.
Which Law School in Florida Is Right for Me?
We know choosing a law school is extremely difficult, especially when law schools in Florida have impressive stats and so many appealing features. If you have the drive, you’ll become a great lawyer no matter where you go to law school, but these are some of our top Florida law school picks, based on best offerings:
- Florida Law School with the Highest Bar Passage Rate: Florida International University
- Florida Law School with the Highest Acceptance Rate: School of Law at Barry University
- Most Affordable Florida Law School: Florida State University
Ultimately, you need to decide what you’re looking for in a law school and what factors matter to you most.
Boost Your Chances of a Florida Law School Acceptance
Whether you’re applying to the best law school in Florida or Alabama, the process is the same. The first step in the law school admissions timeline is to take the LSAT. Remember, law schools want to attract the best of the best, so make sure you give yourself the ultimate shot by getting a high LSAT score.
Blueprint LSAT Prep has the best LSAT prep courses tailored to your individual learning style. From a DIY Self-Paced Online LSAT Course to a Live LSAT Class or 170+ Course, and even private LSAT tutoring, we have the LSAT course designed to increase your LSAT score by 15 points, on average!
Don’t want to commit to a prep course right now? Get access to tons of free LSAT resources when you create a Blueprint LSAT account.
