Arkansas is the 33rd most populous state, the 29th largest by area, and one that’s been satirized for some of its questionable laws. Some of these are downright hilarious, such as it being illegal to honk your car horn near a sandwich shop in Little Rock past 9 p.m.
All kidding aside, the state has played an important role in American history, particularly when it comes to desegregation. In fact, many consider the integration of Central High School in Little Rock to be a turning point in the Civil Rights Movement.
Arkansas has also played an important role in presidential history, as the state is the birthplace of former President Bill Clinton. His presidential center, which includes the Clinton Presidential Library, the offices of the Clinton Foundation, and the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service, is located in Little Rock.
If you’re wondering about the quality of the law schools in Arkansas, you’ll be pleased to know there are two high ranking law programs in the state.
Let’s see why they made the cut, and what you can do to be a strong applicant.
Top Law Schools in Arkansas
- University of Arkansas, Fayetteville School of Law
- University of Arkansas, Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law
Each of these law schools in Arkansas has a fairly high acceptance rate. Of course, that doesn’t mean you’ll get in, or that you’re a good match for the programs. Keep reading to see if either sounds like it could be a good fit.
1. University of Arkansas, Fayetteville School of Law
U.S. News Top Law School Ranking: #100 (Tie)
Tuition: $19,768 (in-state) 43,783 (out-of-state)
Median Undergrad GPA of Program Entrants: 3.71
Median LSAT Score of Program Entrants: 158
Acceptance Rate: 26.6%
First-Time Bar Passage Rate: 80%
The University of Arkansas Fayetteville School of Law offers clinics in civil litigation and advocacy, human trafficking, immigration, community and rural enterprise development, and criminal practice. It also has pro bono programs to help you gain practical legal experience.
Students interested in earning dual degrees can earn a JD/MBA (Master of Business Administration), a JD/MA (Master of Arts), a JD/MSW (Master of Social Work), or a JD/MPA (Master of Public Administration).
There is also an opportunity to become involved in one of the school’s 27 student legal organizations, including the Animal Legal Defense Fund, the Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association, the Black Law Students Association, and the Environmental Law Society.
Law journals include the Arkansas Law Review and the Journal of Food Law and Policy.
The Fayetteville School of Law is particularly appealing for its low tuition and the slightly lower median LSAT score of program entrants compared to applicants at top 50 law schools.
2. University of Arkansas, Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law
U.S. News Top Law School Ranking: #140 (Tie)
Tuition: $17,474 (full-time) $33,884 (out-of-state)
Median Undergrad GPA of Program Entrants: 3.41
Median LSAT Score of Program Entrants: 153
Acceptance Rate: 54.9%
First-Time Bar Passage Rate: 73.5%
The William H. Bowen School of Law at the University of Arkansas, Little Rock, is a public law school. The Professional Mentor Program at the school pairs students with a practicing lawyer and judge in their first year for guidance and practical experience. And the Bowen Student Success Program helps students achieve academic excellence during their first year of law school and beyond.
Before graduation, students are required to participate in an externship or clinic, and they are also encouraged to participate in the Bowen Concurrent Bar Preparation Program.
Students at Bowen enjoy a low student-faculty ratio of 7.3:1 and can take advantage of the school’s part-time evening program, the only part-time law school in Arkansas.
Bowen has very affordable tuition by law school standards, and a relatively high acceptance rate. The school also accepts JD-Next scores until June 1st, 2026 if you’re dreading taking the LSAT. After this date, the scores will no longer be accepted.
How Do I Get Accepted to an Arkansas Law School?
Whether you’re applying to law schools in Arkansas or another part of the country, the process is the same. The first step in the admissions timeline is to take the LSAT. Although there are no required LSAT scores for law school, both of these schools in Arkansas 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, so give yourself the ultimate chance by getting the best LSAT score you can.
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