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Top Law Schools in Massachusetts

In addition to Boston accents, the beaches and seafood of Cape Cod, and its pivotal role in early American history, Massachusetts also boasts long-standing legal traditions. In fact, its written constitution–drafted in 1780 by John Adams–is the oldest in the world. Perhaps it’s no surprise that the state renowned for academics is home to eight law schools. You might consider pursuing your JD at one of these options if the history, culture, and nature of Massachusetts appeal to you! 

  1. 1. Harvard University Law School

U.S. News Top Law School Ranking: #4 (tie)

Tuition: $68,962

Average GPA: 3.92

Average LSAT Score: 174

Acceptance Rate: 6.9%

Bar Passage Rate: 98.9%

Harvard Law School is one of the oldest and most renowned law schools in the country, with alumni such as Supreme Court Justices Elena Kagan and John Roberts and former President Barack Obama. Between the years of 2000 and 2010, this Massachusetts school accounted for 1 in 4 Supreme Court clerks.

Driving HLS’s prestige is the strong alumni and student network and diverse curricular offerings. Harvard Law has one of the largest class sizes at roughly 560 students per year, and is home to 90+ student organizations that are active on campus. In addition to the famous Harvard Law Review, Harvard has 16 other student-run journals, covering legal topics from Environmental Law to Sports and Entertainment to Latin American Law. 

Harvard also offers a variety of hands-on opportunities, centers, and clinics, which 88% of the most recent graduating class participated in. Whether your interests lie in Supreme Court Litigation, Health Law and Policy, or Cyberlaw, Harvard likely has something that will intrigue you. Furthermore, Harvard places students every year in a variety of externship clinics that include work experience at nonprofits, institutions, and resource centers throughout the United States.

The application deadline is February 20, and the application fee is $85. Full-time tuition is comparable with other top rated or even lower rated law schools.

  1. 2. Boston University School of Law

U.S. News Top Law School Ranking: #17 (tie)

Tuition: $61,160

Average GPA: 3.77

Average LSAT Score: 169

Acceptance Rate: 18.33%

Bar Passage Rate: 94.5%

Boston University School of Law is one of Massachusetts’ best legal programs and boasts especially strong programs in Health Care Law and Intellectual Property Law. Moreover, BU offers several scholarship programs for students interested in particular aspects of the law, including a Public Interest Scholarship that funds up to full tuition for all three years, and an Antiracist Scholarship for students that are especially committed to racial equity and justice. Students can also deepen their academic training with a joint degree in topics such as Taxation, Management, and Mass Communication. 

Furthermore, BU School of Law is home to a vibrant student life, with ~210 students per year, 30+ student organizations, and six law journals. BU offers students clinical and work experiences that range from a Consumer Debt Clinic to a simulation-based curriculum that covers topics ranging from Patent Trial Advocacy to Transaction Law Research.

The application deadline is April 1, and the application fee is $85. Full-time tuition is comparable with other top rated or even lower rated graduate schools.

  1. 3. Boston College Law School

U.S. News Top Law School Ranking: #37 (tie)

Tuition: $61,128

Average GPA: 3.69

Average LSAT Score: 165

Acceptance Rate: 23.5%

Bar Passage Rate: 93.7%

Boston College Law School has  a blend of urban and isolation, with a 40-acre campus in Newton, Massachusetts, tucked over a mile away from the school’s main campus in Chestnut Hill. Given the school’s religious heritage and history, Boston College retains a robust human rights and public interest law focus. This Massachusetts school has a class size of roughly ~350 students, is home to dozens of student organizations, and several subject area journals in addition to the BC Law Review. 

From the beginning of their legal education, 1Ls at Boston College have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience. As early as their spring semester during their first year, law students can engage in an experiential-based elective. Advocacy Programs, Clinics, and Externships are available to students looking to engage in Boston, Massachusetts, and national legal communities.

The application deadline is March 31, and the application fee is $75. Full-time tuition is comparable with other top rated or even lower rated Massachusetts law schools.

  1. 4. Northeastern University School of Law

U.S. News Top Law School Ranking: #73 (tie)

Tuition: $58,648

Average GPA: 3.66

Average LSAT Score: 162

Acceptance Rate: 24.4%

Bar Passage Rate: 84.5%

Originally founded as Boston’s first evening law program in the 19th century, Northeastern University School of Law is today known for its public interest law program, hands-on opportunities, and student body. It is home to two scholarly legal journals, dozens of student organizations, and numerous research institutes. Curricular offerings that may interest a publically minded student include courses in Welfare Law, the core course Legal Skills in the Social Network, and an extensive co-op network that 85% of law students choose to engage in.

The application deadline is March 1, and there is no application fee. Full-time tuition is comparable with other top rated or even lower rated graduate schools.

  1. 5. Suffolk University Law School

U.S. News Top Law School Ranking: #122 (tie)

Tuition: $53,920

Average GPA: 3.44

Average LSAT Score: 154

Acceptance Rate: 65.2%

Bar Passage Rate: 63.6%

Suffolk Law focuses its education on practicality and experience. Its history is one of inclusivity–it was founded at the beginning of the 20th century to expand access to legal education for those who had previously been shut out due to racial discrimination and/or a lack of financial resources. The school’s legal skills programs punch above their weight, ranking in the top 25 for clinics, legal writing, trial advocacy, and dispute resolution. The school has a large class size of slightly under 400 students per year, and is home to five student-run law reviews and dozens of student organizations. 

The priority application deadline is April 1, and the application fee is $60. Full-time tuition is comparable with other law schools of similar or even lower ranking.

  1. 6. New England Law Boston

U.S. News Top Law School Ranking: #147-192

Tuition: $54,384

Average GPA: 3.27

Average LSAT Score: 154

Acceptance Rate: 68.3%

Bar Passage Rate: 76.6%

New England Law | Boston is located in the heart of downtown Boston, near the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, the State House, and various other law agencies and firms. The school’s background is one of the pioneering programs in the state to welcome women who wanted a legal education in Massachusetts. It began to admit male students in the 1920s. New England Law offers full- and part-time programs, with a class size of ~200 students. The school offers the opportunity to specialize academically, with concentrations such as immigration and intellectual property law. 

The application deadline is May 1, and the application fee is $65. Full-time tuition is comparable with other law schools of similar or even lower ranking.

  1. 7. University of Massachusetts – Dartmouth

U.S. News Top Law School Ranking: #147-192

Tuition: $30,450 (in-state); $39,550 (out-of-state)

Average GPA: 3.36

Average LSAT Score: 150

Acceptance Rate: 56.9%

Bar Passage Rate: 75.6%

University of Massachusetts – Dartmouth (UMass Law) is the only public law school in the entire state of Massachusetts. In August of 2014, UMass Law kicked off its Justice Bridge program, which is a legal incubator in downtown Boston that provides lower-cost legal services. Furthermore, UMass Law offers 3+3 options, which partners with numerous Massachusetts undergraduate programs to allow students to earn a Bachelors and JD in six rather than seven years. UMass has three legal clinics in-house and partners with other institutions to offer clinics in Criminal Prosecution and Tribal Law. With ~120 students per year, the student community is small but tight-knit.

The application deadline is June 30, and the application fee is $50. Full-time tuition is comparable with other law schools of similar or even lower ranking.

  1. 8. Western New England University Law School

U.S. News Top Law School Ranking: #147-192

Tuition: $46,050 (out-of-state)

Average GPA: 3.47

Average LSAT Score: 150

Acceptance Rate: 57.4%

Bar Passage Rate: 63.0%

Western New England University Law School (WNE Law) is located in Western Massachusetts and has a small class size of roughly 100-130 students per year. JD options at WNE law have the option to concentrate in several fields, from Gender and Sexuality Studies to Real Estate. Furthermore, the school offers an LLM program in Elder Law and Estate Planning. The school engages closely with its surrounding community through clinics and WNE’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, through which the Small Business Clinic offers support to entrepreneurs in the Pioneer Valley region. 

The priority application deadline is March 15, and the application fee was waived in 2022. Full-time tuition is comparable or lower than other law schools of similar ranking.

How Do I Get Accepted to a Massachusetts Law School?

Whether you’re applying to the best law school in Massachusetts 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. Wondering what is a good LSAT score? The median LSAT score range at each of these Massachusetts law schools will give you a pretty good indication of how you compare to their previous incoming class. Remember, law schools want to attract the best, so make sure you give yourself the ultimate chance by getting a high LSAT score.

Blueprint 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 to our new, intensive 170+ LSAT course, and even a private LSAT tutor, 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 a bunch of free LSAT resources when you create a Blueprint LSAT account. And when you’re finally ready to make the final jump into LSAT prep, we’ll be here to help!