Utah’s two law schools, the University of Utah and BYU, both secured the 28th spot in the national rankings, as per the most recent data available.
BYU achieved a placement in the Top 25 last year, marking a significant milestone. Conversely, the University of Utah attained its highest ranking to date this year, breaking into the top 30 for the first time and marking its sixth consecutive year of improvement, as reported by Dean Elizabeth Kronk Warner. In the year 2023, it held the 32nd position overall.
Dean Elizabeth Kronk Warner expressed, “This is a collective achievement that confirms Utah Law’s standing among the premier law schools in the country.”
Utah and BYU were on par with other esteemed law schools such as Boston College, the University of Florida, and George Mason University, all sharing the 28th spot out of 196 law schools nationwide.
BYU Law, in its 50-year history, has emerged as a leading institution in legal education, according to BYU Law Dean David H. Moore. He emphasized that despite rankings being a significant metric, they do not encompass all aspects that contribute to a law school’s excellence. Moore highlighted BYU Law’s emphasis on developing students as lawyers, leaders, and individuals of faith, aligning with their mission statement emphasizing integrity, faith, intellect, and lifelong service.
BYU Law’s affordability sets it apart, with the lowest tuition among private law schools, enabling a high percentage of students to graduate without debt. This affordability, coupled with quality education, has consistently positioned BYU Law as a top value law school.
BYU’s specialized law programs, including business and corporate law, contracts and commercial law, and tax law, have garnered national recognition, further solidifying its academic standing.
The tuition fees at BYU for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are \(15,076 annually, while non-members pay approximately double that amount. In comparison, the University of Utah’s tuition stands at \)33,634 for residents and $43,598 for non-residents.
The S.J. Quinney College of Law at the University of Utah achieved the 11th position among public law schools, attributing its success to factors like a low student-to-faculty ratio, high bar exam passage rates, and impressive post-graduation employment rates.
Utah Law’s specialized programs, particularly in environmental law and intellectual property law, have secured notable rankings nationally, underscoring the institution’s commitment to excellence beyond numerical standings.
Dean Elizabeth Kronk Warner reiterated that while rankings are significant, Utah Law’s true impact extends beyond metrics to encompass societal contributions through student initiatives, faculty research, alumni leadership, and staff dedication.
The University of Utah’s inaugural law school class, consisting of eight male graduates from Utah, marked a historic moment in 1913.
In a recent development, both BYU and the University of Utah shared the 115th position in the U.S. News’ 2024 rankings for national colleges, showcasing their consistent academic standing.