Best Law Schools in New York: Rankings, Acceptance Rates, and What You Need

New York: The Centre of American Legal Practice

More lawyers practise in New York than in any other state. The city is home to the majority of the country's largest law firms, the financial services industry, and the United Nations. If Big Law is your goal, a New York law school gives you a geographic advantage that is difficult to replicate from elsewhere.

The National Elite

Columbia Law School

Median LSAT: 175. Median GPA: 3.92. Acceptance rate: ~10%. Columbia is the definitive New York Big Law pipeline. Its graduates populate the partner ranks of Cravath, Sullivan & Cromwell, Wachtell, and Davis Polk at rates that no other school matches. If Big Law is your objective, Columbia should be on your list if your numbers are in range.

NYU School of Law

Median LSAT: 174. Median GPA: 3.92. Acceptance rate: ~12%. NYU rivals Columbia in New York placement and arguably surpasses it in public interest and tax law. Its LRAP (Loan Repayment Assistance Program) is one of the most generous in the country, making it a particularly strong choice if public interest is a possibility.

The Strong Regional Players

Fordham University School of Law

Median LSAT: 166. Median GPA: 3.78. Acceptance rate: ~24%. Fordham is the third-best law school in New York City and punches well above its national ranking in the local job market. Its alumni network in the New York legal community is deep and active. For applicants who are competitive at Fordham but not Columbia/NYU, it offers excellent value.

Cardozo School of Law (Yeshiva University)

Median LSAT: 163. Median GPA: 3.68. Acceptance rate: ~35%. Cardozo has carved a strong niche in intellectual property, entertainment law, and dispute resolution. Located in Greenwich Village, it offers access to the same legal market as NYU at significantly lower admissions requirements.

Brooklyn Law School

Median LSAT: 160. Median GPA: 3.58. Acceptance rate: ~45%. Brooklyn Law has invested heavily in experiential learning and clinical programs. It is a practical choice for applicants who want to practise in New York without the debt load of a higher-ranked school.

Upstate New York

Cornell Law School

Median LSAT: 173. Median GPA: 3.88. Acceptance rate: ~14%. Cornell is a T-14 school located in Ithaca — not New York City — but its graduates place extremely well in NYC Big Law. If you want a T-14 education with a slightly less urban environment, Cornell delivers.

University at Buffalo School of Law (SUNY)

Median LSAT: 157. Median GPA: 3.52. As a SUNY school, Buffalo offers the lowest tuition in the state for residents. It dominates the Western New York legal market and is a smart financial choice if you plan to practise upstate.

The New York Bar

New York allows graduates from any ABA-accredited school to sit for the bar, and it is one of the most common bar jurisdictions for graduates of schools nationwide. That said, having local connections — clinics, externships, alumni — in New York during law school gives you a meaningful advantage in the job search.