Northwestern Law School
General Info
The Northwestern University School of Law is a private American law school in Chicago, Illinois. The law school was founded in 1876 and is one of eleven academic entities at Northwestern University. Northwestern enjoys a strong national reputation. The Law School is currently ranked 12th by US News and World Report. Northwestern law is located on Northwestern University's downtown campus in Chicago's Streeterville neighborhood. The campus is on Lake Shore Drive, just south of the Gold Coast neighborhood, along Lake Michigan, and a few blocks from the John Hancock Center, Magnificent Mile, Water Tower, and Navy Pier.
Contact information
- (Website) http://www.law.northwestern.edu/
- (Admissions Dean) admissions@law.northwestern.edu
- (Location) Chicago, IL
Northwestern Law School Admissions
Northwestern Law School is considered a Moderately Competitive law school, which accepts only 23% of its applicants. Comparatively, Northwestern is Significantly Higher than the average cost for law school.
| Applications | Offers | Matriculated | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class of 2025 | 4079 | 921 (22.58%) | 213 (5.2%) |
| 25% | Median | 75% | |
| GPA | 3.56 | 3.77 | 3.85 |
| LSAT | 163 | 168 | 169 |
Tuition And Financial Aid
| In-State Resident | Non-Resident | |
|---|---|---|
| Full Time | $58,398 | $58,398 |
| Part Time | N/A | N/A |
Living Expenses
- Living on-campus: $21,506
- Living off-campus: $21,506
- Living at home: $21,506
Important Dates
- Early Decision 1: 12/01
- Early Decision 2: N/A
- Regular Decision: 02/15
- Application Fee: $75
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Where do you fall?
Northwestern Law School Community
Northwestern Law School is considered to have a Highly Favorable student to faculty ratio. The average class size for 1L sections is approximately Above Average compared to other law schools. Student diversity at Northwestern is Average.
Student body
Comparable Schools
- Duke Law School
- U Michigan Law School
- Berkeley Law School
- Cornell Law School
- UCLA Law School
- Georgetown Law
Faculty Statistics
- Full Time: 102
- Part Time: 92
Faculty
- # Female Faculty: 81
- # Minority Faculty: 20
Ratio
6.5 Students
1 Faculty
Housing Options
- On Campus Housing: Yes
- Graduate Housing: Yes
- Law Specific Housing: No
Northwestern Law School Curriculum
The size of 1L sections affects the quality and consistency of teaching in law schools. Generally with smaller 1L section sizes, students receive more individualized attention. Northwestern University 1L section size is 32% larger than law schools in Illinois and 40% larger than all PRIVATE law schools.
1L Section Size Comparison
Positions Available in Advanced Courses
- Simulation Courses: 1393
- Faculty Supervised Clinics: 372
Students Involved in Advanced Activities
- Field Placements: 234
- Law Journals: 420
- Moot Court/Mock Trials: 0
Attrition Rates
- First Year: 1.7%
- Second Year: 3.8%
- Third Year: 0.7%
- Fourth Year: 0.0%
Northwestern Law School Employment
Deciding to attend law school requires a large financial investment with the goal of securing employment upon graduation. The Northwestern University class of 2020 had an employment rate of 92% with 0% pursuing an additional degree.
Employment Comparison
In 2020, 75.2%% of students reported their employment status 9-months after graduation.
Type of Employment
- Law Firms: 68.0%
- Business: 9.0%
- Government: 5.0%
- Public Interest: 4.0%
- Academia: 1.0%
- Illinois: 39%
- New York: 16%
- California: 13%
Bar Passage Rates
- Reporting: 75.2%
- First Time Takers: 298
- Average School: 87.1%
- Average State: 80.6%
- Pass Difference: 6.5%
Top Bar Jurisdiction
- Illinois: 85.4%
- Passed: 122 of 132 (92.4%)
- State Average: 80.6%
- Difference: 7.0%