Return to Blog Homepage

Top Law Schools in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania’s rich historical connection to the United States’ founding provides a superb backdrop for students who want to become influential lawyers. Pennsylvania is home to nine of the top law schools in the U.S. They offer excellent placement prospects, varied faculty, diverse student communities, and cutting-edge curricula. Here is a list of Pennsylvania’s top four law schools.

The Top Law Schools in Pennsylvania

1. Penn Carey Law School, University of Pennsylvania 

  • US News Best Law School Ranking: #6
  • Tuition: $67,440 (full-time) 
  • Average GPA: 3.90
  • Average LSAT Score: 172
  • Acceptance Rate: 14.6%
  • Bar Passage Rate: 96.46%

As one of the top 10 law schools in the country, the University of Pennsylvania’s Penn Carey Law offers an interdisciplinary curriculum by recruiting specialists in business, media, health care, tech, foreign studies, and social services to teach students. Penn Carey Law School maintains a strong commitment to shared learning and a collaborative atmosphere. It strives to establish a diverse learning environment for international law students, including those from Bahrain, Canada, China, and Ethiopia. Given that women make up 55% of the student body, LGBTQ+ groups make up 25%, and people of color make up 35%, the institution promises to be an inclusive platform for scholarly ventures and interactions.

Penn Carey Law takes a holistic admissions approach, considering everything from your academic history to your personal background. It accepts the LSAT, GMAT, or GRE and requires at least two letters of recommendation. Also, make sure to register with the Credential Assembly Service to submit your academic transcript. Regular decision applications are due March 1! 

2. Charles Widger School of Law, Villanova University

  • US News Best Law School Ranking: #56
  • Tuition: $56,215 (full-time)
  • Average GPA: 3.76
  • Average LSAT Score: 163
  • Acceptance Rate: 16.5%
  • Bar Passage Rate: 86.81%

At Villanova University’s Charles Widger School of Law, you’ll receive a legal education focused on academic excellence, practical learning, and business fundamentals. Villanova’s curriculum infuses essential business principles, professional expertise, ethical orientation, and practical learning experiences into each student’s education under its “Where Law Meets Business” philosophy. You will gain exposure to practical learning through dynamic coursework, six clinics, and more than 275 externship placements. As a result, students at this law school graduate with impeccable qualifications to succeed in today’s fiercely competitive legal industry. 

To get into Villanova Law, submit a personal statement, CV, and letter of recommendation as part of the application procedure. You must also register with the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) during the application year. The application deadline is July 1!

3. Dickinson Law, Pennsylvania State University

  • US News Best Law School Ranking: #58
  • Tuition: $56,592 (full-time) 
  • Average GPA: 3.61
  • Average LSAT Score: 161
  • Acceptance Rate: 36.72%
  • Bar Passage Rate: 88.46%

Penn State Dickinson Law prepares you to practice in the 21st century. For instance, students draw connections between practice and theory by holding their first mock client interviews in the second week of law school. 

At Penn State Law, you can pick from various electives that prepare you to work as a business advisor, civil rights advocate, conflict-resolution specialist, consumer advocate, employment advisor, entrepreneur, manager, or leader. You can also choose electives that train you to work as a prosecutor, defender, regulatory advisor, researcher, or writer.

Penn State Law accepts applications through June 30 via rolling admissions, and it’s free to apply! Submit your LSAT or GRE score, personal statement, and at least two letters of recommendation; then you’re good to go. Don’t forget to register for the Credential Assembly Service as well! 

3. Beasley School of Law, Temple University

  • US News Best Law School Ranking: #63
  • Tuition: $28,482 (full-time; in-state); $43,560 (full-time; out-of-state); $22,740 (part-time; in-state);  $34,860 (part-time; out-of-state)
  • Average GPA: 3.63
  • Average LSAT Score: 163
  • Acceptance Rate: 32.80%
  • Bar Passage Rate: 89.6%

By creating an inclusive environment for minority students in legal studies, the Beasley School of Law at Temple University dedicates itself to greatness in instruction, education, research, and community outreach. Here, you will discover the importance of fusing education with personal and professional responsibility. Trial advocacy, business and tax law, international law, intellectual property and technology law, public interest and social justice, and legal research and writing are just a few of the specializations you can choose from.

Beasley Law reviews all incoming applications via Sp.A.C.E., a method that emphasizes applicants’ life experiences in the decision-making process. Be sure to submit your LSAT or GRE score, personal statement, and up to four letters of recommendation to be considered. Beasley’s admissions deadline is April 15 for full and part-time applicants. 

How can you get accepted to a law school in Pennsylvania?

While Pennsylvania provides plenty of top law school options to apply to, it doesn’t automatically improve your chance of getting accepted. To gain admission, you need to study hard for the LSAT. LSAT prep can be overwhelming, especially if you tackle it alone without proper guidance and support. 

Our self-paced online LSAT courses encourage you to study independently, according to your preferences and pace. Our live LSAT classes help aspirants raise their median LSAT scores by an average of 15 points!

To see if Blueprint is right for you, create a free LSAT account and access our customizable study planner tool, a comprehensive practice exam, and more. Sign up today!