Washington University in St. Louis School of Law

Washington University School of Law (known as WashULaw) is committed to the best legal education, made possible. WashULaw attracts top legal scholars and future lawyers with diverse viewpoints. It is ranked #16 by U.S. News and World Report, #6 by Above the Law, and #1 by Lawyers of Color for Black law students.

Talented future lawyers choose WashULaw.

At WashULaw, students are more than just metrics. The Law School's most recent class, the Class of 2025, has a median LSAT in the top 98th to 99th percentile and a median GPA of 3.94. However, the Law School's holistic candidate review leads to a student body with a broad LSAT and GPA range. Interested applicants should never rule themselves out.

New community members bring a wide range of perspectives and experiences, enriching the classroom discussion for all students. LLM, JSD, and graduate students come from 25 countries. The Class of 2025, the current 1L JD students, hail from 42 states, the District of Columbia, and ten countries. Fifty-two percent identify as diverse in one or more ways, and 36% identify as students of color. They speak nearly 30 languages and pursued over 150 undergraduate majors. Eighteen percent are first-generation college students. The Law School also welcomes a strong cohort of veterans each year.

The Office of Admissions offers help to all future law students navigating the application process. WashULaw ensures applying to law school is within reach, with a $0 application fee, the option to redact LSAT scores or GPA during admissions review, and extensive resources available to individuals applying to any law school. These include one-on-one consultations, workshops, information about legal careers, and more.

WashULaw's Career Center partners with students to ensure professional success before they begin attending classes. Together, they develop a legal resume and individual career search strategy, which evolves as students learn and grow throughout law school.

The best legal education made possible, with generous financial aid.

WashULaw actively tackles the high cost of legal education, offering one of the most generous scholarship programs of any top law school. They recently introduced a new scholarship program that guarantees admitted JD students from low-income households a full-tuition scholarship.

"Scholarship funding is only one piece of the puzzle to ensure student success," says Dean Russell Osgood. "Therefore, every student will receive a customized award that may include child care, mentors, funding for conferences, or other benefits, supporting students in their specific goals and challenges."

St. Louis and the WashULaw community: perfect for law school.

Students often comment on the sense of community at WashULaw and the supportive environment of their peers, professors, alumni, and staff. They also love St. Louis, where the quality of life is high and cost of living is low.

WashULaw is situated on the main campus of Washington University in St. Louis, a world-class research institution recently named one of the most beautiful college campuses in the U.S. With a rich culture of art, food, music, sports, museums, and more, law students find St. Louis the ideal place to live, work, and focus on their studies. The campus is near Forest Park, a favorite spot for students to run, bike, and explore between classes. One of the nation's top urban parks, it houses museums, the St. Louis Zoo, and many amenities free of charge.

The United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, Southern District of Illinois, Eastern District of Missouri, and the Missouri Court of Appeals are close by, along with numerous other state and federal courts. The large number of courts within close proximity is unique to St. Louis, which offers students an abundance of clinic and externship opportunities.

Alumni practice in every state and over 25 countries.

After graduation, WashULaw alumni begin their careers in over 30 states and several countries each year, practicing law in some of the most competitive public and private sector jobs.

Over 65 alumni currently serve in judicial clerkships. Of the JD Class of 2021, about 66% began work in large law firms and clerkships, 12% in government and public interest, 11% in boutique and mid-size firms, 7% in business and in-house legal departments, 2% in education, and 2% pursued unique personal paths.