For students who prefer urban environments, the cities of Raleigh, Charlotte, Greensboro, and Durham offer all the amenities — art, culture, music, and entertainment — that one would expect in a big city. With all North Carolina has to offer from the Appalachian Mountains to gorgeous beaches, it also has some of the best colleges in the country for law students.

Best Law Schools in North Carolina 

1. Duke University School of Law

U.S. News Best Law School Ranking: #11

Average GPA: 3.82

Average LSAT Score: 170

Acceptance Rate: 14.4%

Bar Passage Rate: 97.5%

As one of the country’s top law schools, Duke University School of Law is highly prestigious and competitive. 

In addition to its rigorous J.D. program, Duke University School of Law also offers a Master of Juridicial Studies (LL.M.), an LL.M. for international students, dual degrees, a Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.), and an LL.M. in Law & Entrepreneurship. The school’s emphasis on scholarly research, leadership, ethics, and interdisciplinary study has helped its graduates pursue diverse kinds of legal practice, both in the private and governmental sectors. Duke Law also encourages every student to gain hands-on experience through its 12 clinical courses and externship opportunities where students learn to apply theoretical knowledge in real-life situations. 

The Duke University School of Law has an application deadline of February 15.

2. University of North Carolina School of Law

U.S. News Best Law School Ranking: #23

Average GPA: 3.73

Average LSAT Score: 164

Acceptance Rate: 15.5%

Bar Passage Rate: 97.1%

The University of North Carolina School of Law was founded in 1845 and accredited by the American Bar Association in 1923. As one of the oldest professional schools in the country, UNC Law graduates have shaped the very heart and soul of the U.S. legal system. 

The J.D. program at UNC Law is unique as it offers students a chance to explore and engage with different areas of study. These include banking and finance, civil rights, constitutional law, corporate law, criminal law, environmental law, human rights, international law, privacy law, taxation, and many other fields of jurisprudence. This helps law students narrow down their interests and forge a path toward the field in which they want to build their legal careers. 

The School of Law at the University of North Carolina has an application deadline of May 1. 

How can you get accepted to a law school in North Carolina?

Like in law schools across the country, your LSAT scores help determine whether you are accepted to a law school in North Carolina. Whether you’re wondering how many law schools should I apply to or you already have a solid list in mind, the LSAT is your next step to making your dreams a reality.

Scoring well on the LSAT, however, is a challenging feat. You need to start preparing months in advance to develop the confidence to tackle any kind of question to get within the LSAT score range of top schools. With Blueprint LSAT Prep, you can make your prep far more organized and increase your LSAT score by 15 points on average! 

Sign up for a free account to access our free LSAT practice test (with analytics to see your strengths and weaknesses) and customizable study planner and start your journey to the law school of your dreams.