Two top-20 rankings for KU Law emphasize affordability, value
LAWRENCE – The University of Kansas School of Law is the No. 18 Best Value Law School in the country and one of the top 20 law schools nationwide for students graduating with the least debt, according to National Jurist magazine and U.S. News & World Report. KU finished first in both rankings among law schools in Kansas and the Kansas City area.
The Best Value ranking highlights affordable law schools whose graduates perform exceptionally well on the bar exam and have had success finding legal jobs. National Jurist ranked the top 20 schools and assigned a letter grade to the other 45 honorees.
“We are pleased that we continue to excel in this ranking because we pride ourselves on delivering an affordable legal education that prepares our graduates for successful careers,” said Stephen Mazza, dean of the law school. “At KU Law, value isn’t just about reasonable tuition. Our graduates pass the bar exam at a rate that consistently exceeds the state average, and they secure quality employment at a rate that stacks up against the top quarter of law schools in the country.”
And law students reach those achievements while avoiding excessive student loans. U.S. News ranked KU Law 20th in the nation among law schools whose graduates finish school with the least debt.
“It’s a relief to know that I’ll have choices when I graduate that aren’t defined by financial burdens,” said Julia Leth-Perez, a third-year KU Law student. “I’m getting a great education at KU, and I know I’m prepared for my career in law.”
National Jurist gives employment success the greatest weight in the Best Value rankings. The magazine also looks at a number of other academic and financial variables, including price of tuition, student debt accumulation, bar passage rate and cost of living.
KU Law graduates in the Class of 2015 passed the bar examination in Kansas and Missouri at rates that far exceeded state averages. They also ranked first among all Kansas and Missouri law schools for performance on the Missouri exam. KU law tuition for the 2014-15 academic year for a first-year Kansas resident was $19,985. More than 75 percent of the incoming class receives scholarships.
See the complete list of honorees and learn more about ranking methodology