Attend law school with rolling plains and cornfields in the background. Iowa is located in the heart of the corn belt and is home to two highly ranked law schools by US News and World Report.

For historical context, Iowa supported the Union during the Civil War and voted heavily for Abraham Lincoln, so there is a deep sense of justice and equality quilted into the fabric of this Midwestern state. Iowa is also colored by French and Spanish influences from the 18th and 19th centuries and the state flag is even patterned after the French flag with blue and red bordering a white interior.

Iowa is the 26th largest state in total area, the 31st most populous and has even been listed as one of the safest U.S. states to live in, so if safety is a top consideration, this is a great place to attend law school. Keep reading to learn more about the criteria you’ll need to meet, including average LSAT score and GPA. 

Top Law Schools in Iowa

1. 1.  University of Iowa College of Law
2. 2.  Drake University Law School

There are two high-ranking law schools in Iowa. Both come with a top notch law program and high Bar passage rates. Find out if attending law school in Iowa is right for you.  

1. 1.  University of Iowa College of Law

U.S. News Top Law School Ranking: #29

Tuition: $28,151 (full-time)

Average GPA: 3.5

Average LSAT Score: 161

Acceptance Rate: 60.4%

Bar Passage Rate: 95.7%

The College of Law at University of Iowa stands out for its high Bar passage rate alone—an impressive 95.7% with most students entering on an average LSAT score of 161. Ranked 29 by US News and World Report, it was founded in 1865 and claims to have graduated the first female law student in the country—Mary Beth Hickey in 1873. The university has also sponsored a minority pre-law conference called “Bridging the Gap,” for more than 30 years. 

The application deadline falls on May 1, giving you ample time to prepare your package. There is no application fee. Tuition is in the middle range—$28,151 for full-time students who are in-state and $47,766 for full-time students who are coming from elsewhere. The student-faculty ratio sits at 7.3:1, assuring you personalized attention.  

2. 2.  Drake University Law School

U.S. News Top Law School Ranking: #102

Tuition: $43,500 (full-time)

Average GPA: 3.3

Average LSAT Score: 155

Acceptance Rate: 69.1%

Bar Passage Rate: 85.4%

The Law School at Drake University is located in Des Moines and is among the 25 oldest law schools in the country. Established by Iowa Supreme Court justices George Wright and Chester Cole, the school maintains a high Bar passage rate of 85.4% and a high acceptance rate of 69.1%. Drake Law School’s curriculum includes the nation’s only First-Year Trial Practicum and was ranked the 7th best competition school in the nation by the American Bar Association in 2020. 

​​Tuition is on the higher end at $43,500 for full-time students. Application deadline falls on April 1 and there is no fee to submit. The student-faculty ratio is 6.1:1, assuring you personalized attention. 

How Do I Get Accepted to a Law School in Iowa?

Whether you’re applying to the best law school in Iowa 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.

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