Law Schools
15 Best Law Schools in Iowa | Cost, Requirements, How to Apply
To practice law in several top law schools in Iowa, a law student must develop a certain set of abilities.
From a historical perspective, Iowa voted overwhelmingly in favor of Abraham Lincoln and supported the Union during the Civil War, thus this Midwestern state has a strong sense of fairness and equality woven into its very being.
You should choose Iowa if you want to attend law school in the home of maize and hawkeyes. The University of Iowa College of Law in Iowa City or Drake University Law School in Des Moines is your option.
Getting accepted into one of the law schools in Iowa 2024 can help you succeed as much as you can. Let us help you navigate this article, which lists the best law schools in Iowa.
Are their Law Schools in Iowa?
Only two ABA-accredited law schools are available in Iowa. The University of Iowa College of Law in Iowa City is the second, and Drake University Law School is the first.
Although choosing to attend law school is a personal choice, you should have as much knowledge as you can. To fulfill your dreams, pay attention to every detail, including the setting, instruction, research, and academic information. Don’t limit your applications to simply your best choice. Since Iowa only offers two ABA-accredited choices, it could be wise to submit applications to both.
To be realistic, law schools will always be difficult and competitive in terms of dedication and motivation. It can be costly as well, but the expense, stress, and time are all worthwhile!
Read Also: 10 Best Law Schools in Maine | Cost, Requirements, How to Apply
How Long is a Law School in Iowa?
All American Bar Association law schools, including those Iowa law schools, require three years of full-time study to earn a JD. Some law schools permit part-time enrollment, allowing students to complete their degrees in four or five years by taking courses.
Three years at Law schools in Iowa are intended to help you achieve your goals. You’ll learn very essential legal theory and have numerous chances to apply it.
Read Also: 10 Best Law Schools in Connecticut | Cost, Requirements, How to Apply
How Much Does Law a Law School Cost in Iowa?
Iowa’s law schools are devoted to ensuring that your tuition money is a wise investment in your future. Because of the Research Assistant program, all JD students are eligible for in-state tuition during their second and third years, which helps them keep expenses down. One of the law schools in Iowa has been ranked as the Best Value for five years running by the National Jurist thanks to its dedication to keeping tuition costs low.
Tuition for full-time students at law schools in Iowa ranges from $44,600 to $48,747.
Read Also: 15 Best Law Schools in Utah | Requirements, Cost, How to Apply
What Are Law Schools in Iowa Ranked For?
The magazine acknowledged Iowa’s well-known status as the “Writing Law School” and described how the first-year writing classes are designed to help students get a deeper understanding of the law and the skills necessary to communicate legally persuasively.
In Iowa, law schools work to strengthen the voices of marginalized groups and create an inclusive environment. They understand that the law has a significant impact on how our society is built and that this influence comes with a duty to act in favor of equity and justice.
The state of Iowa takes pride in the number of graduates it places in legal jobs, which is higher than the national average.
What Are the Requirements for Getting into Law Schools in Iowa 2024?
You are looking to apply to your top university because you are interested in law schools in Iowa. You must be conscious of their requirements.
- Before starting law school, candidates seeking admission to law schools in Iowa must satisfy all baccalaureate degree requirements. In addition, the undergraduate institution where the baccalaureate degree was acquired must be accredited by a body recognized by the Department of Education.
- Nearly all ABA-approved law schools (and some non-ABA-approved institutions) require their applicants to register for and finish their applications through the Credential Assembly Service (CAS).
- You would have to pass the LSAT.
- References or recommendations from experts or educators who are relevant.
- Your TOEFL score is only relevant to international students who want to enroll in law schools in Iowa.
- Make preparations for the official transcripts from each of your higher education schools to be sent to the LSAC.
- Each applicant must submit one personal statement along with their online application. In your statement, you should include any information about yourself that you believe will be relevant to their examination of your file. They are interested in the traits that you would contribute to the legal profession, the classroom, and the community.
What Are the Best Law Schools in Iowa 2024?
The law schools in Iowa believe diversity is integral to their educational philosophy and core mission—to prepare culturally proficient graduates who are capable of intellectual inquiry, critical and reflective thinking, and engagement.
Iowa Law schools are stimulating places to study, teach, work, and learn to serve the public and the legal profession. They embrace the commonalities and differences of human experience. Here are the law schools in Iowa:
- Drake University Law School
- University of Iowa Law School
#1. Drake University Law School
Des Moines, Iowa is home to Drake University Law School. One of the nation’s oldest law schools, the institution was founded in 1865. According to DU Law, it is the only school that offers a first-year trial practicum, in which first-year classes are moved to a courtroom for a week so that students can watch a real trial. This unique program is in line with the goals of the founding justices of the Iowa Supreme Court, who established the school close to the courts so that students could observe law in action firsthand.
A unique legal education is offered at Drake Law School. The students take the reins and apply legal theory after receiving a solid foundation in it. This is the best among law schools in Iowa.
There is no application cost for the full-time program at Drake University’s law school. There is no application fee for the part-time program at Drake University’s law school. Full-time tuition is $44,600. 6.9:1 is the student-to-instructor ratio.
#2. University of Iowa Law School
Everything that makes Iowa Law unique—the intellectual rigor of their curriculum, their dedication to fostering every aspiration, the courtesy, and the teamwork of their tight-knit community—is intended to equip you to act as a counselor for your clients. They are dedicated to providing teaching that goes beyond legal doctrine and theory to the human values we uphold—the importance of character, honesty, and collegiality. The legal profession bestows a privilege and profound responsibility on those who choose it.
Through the study of legal doctrine and practical possibilities, the JD program at Iowa University’s law school is intended to expand your knowledge base.
You’ll lay a solid foundation for legal thinking and writing during your first year of college. In your second and third years of study, you can concentrate on the legal topics that most interest you. Through internships, externships, and off-campus study programs, you can apply what you’ve learned to a variety of legal contexts.
The University of Iowa College of Law does not charge an application fee for its full-time programs. Full-time in-state tuition is $29,132; full-time out-of-state tuition is $48,747. (out-of-state). 8.2:1 is the student-to-faculty ratio.
Best Law Schools Close to Iowa
This section of this article contains exceptional law schools close to Iowa. Good knowledge about the will widen your scope of preference.
#3. University of Minnesota Law School
The University of Minnesota Law School’s curriculum permits first-year students to choose their courses. In addition to the required first-year courses, first-year students have the option to take a course in international law, civil process, legislation, and regulation, or the fundamentals of business for attorneys.
In addition to a writing requirement, law students must complete three courses after their first year. The majority of second- and third-year students’ courses are chosen independently, and they have the option of concentrating in one of the school’s formal legal concentrations, such as business law, health law, bioethics, human rights law, or labor and employment law or choosing courses from other fields.
A J.D./MBA through the Carlson School of Management is one of the dual degrees or joint degrees that students at the University of Minnesota can complete.
At the University of Minnesota Law School, the application fee for the full-time program is $60. Full-time in-state tuition is $46,641; full-time out-of-state tuition is $55,617. (out-of-state). 5:1 is the student-to-instructor ratio.
#4. St. Thomas University Law School
The University of St. Thomas School of Law, a law school in the heart of Minneapolis, Minnesota, with ABA accreditation, was established in 1999. It offers a cutting-edge curriculum that prioritizes professional development and all-around education.
To prepare each student to become lawyers who lead their communities by serving them, the school works to help students develop the professional and ethical qualities that are essential to long-term success in our profession. They hold on to professional learning approaches like law schools in Iowa.
Being a Catholic institution, the University of St. Thomas School of Law is committed to fusing morality and social justice with the pursuit of truth.
There is no application cost for the full-time degree at the University of St. Thomas School of Law. Full-time tuition is $45,259 per year. The instructor-to-student ratio is 7.1:1.
#5. Mitchell Hamline Law School
In Saint Paul, Minnesota, there is a private law school called Mitchell Hamline School of Law. The American Bar Association has accredited it, and it provides both full-time and part-time Juris Doctor programs.
The Mitchell Hamline School of Law offers a legal education that is distinguished by great practical legal training and is based on legal theory. As an independent, forward-thinking law school with a more than 100-year history, it has continuously altered legal education to be pertinent to students, their potential clients, and the legal industry.
It provides an unrivaled array of enrollment alternatives as part of the commitment to making legal education accessible. the graduates are equipped to pursue their chosen careers after receiving their degrees and/or legal training.
There is no application fee for the law school’s full-time program at Mitchell Hamline School of Law. There is no application fee for the part-time program at Mitchell Hamline School of Law. Full-time tuition is $48,180, and part-time tuition is $34,800. 10.6:1 is the student-to-instructor professor ratio.
#6. University of Wisconsin (Madison) Law School
In the center of the stunning UW-Madison campus, on historic Bascom Hill, is where you’ll find the University of Wisconsin Law School. It has a distinguished p, a broad curriculum, and a vibrant student body. The Law School offers an unrivaled range of experiences outside its doors as a part of a top-tier university situated in the state’s capital.
The curriculum of the school places a strong emphasis on both skill development and the dynamics of the law, namely how the law relates to social change and society as a whole. They offer one of the largest clinical programs in the nation in addition to nationally renowned programs in several substantive areas.
The University of Wisconsin Law School’s full-time program application cost is $60. Full-time in-state tuition is $30,282; full-time out-of-state tuition is $48,978; part-time in-state tuition is $1,293; and part-time out-of-state tuition is $2,072 (out-of-state). 7.9:1 is the student-to-faculty ratio.
#7. Marquette University Law School
Students at Marquette University Law School have a variety of alternatives for specializing in their legal study. Sports law, intellectual property law, water law, and other areas of law are among the specializations offered by Marquette, which has a strong reputation as a legal school for dispute resolution. Law school can be pursued either full- or part-time.
J.D./M.B.A. in Sports Business through the Marquette University Graduate School of Management, J.D./master of political science through the Marquette Political Science Department, and J.D./master in bioethics in collaboration with the Medical College of Wisconsin are just a few of the joint degrees that Marquette Law School offers to students who are interested in obtaining two degrees simultaneously.
The Marquette University Law School at Marquette University charges a $50 application fee for its full-time programs. At the Marquette University Law School at Marquette University, the application fee for the part-time program is $50. Full-time tuition is $49,710, while part-time tuition is $29,475. 9.6:1 is the student-to-instructor ratio.
#8. Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law
This school of law has consistently been listed in the top 14 law schools since U.S. News and World Reports began publishing its rankings of the best law schools. It was established in 1859 and was Chicago’s first-ever formal law school.
In addition to having a large variety of student clubs, the university also offers enticing program options, such as its fast J.D. degree, which may be completed in just two years.
A J.D./Ph.D. with the Northwestern Graduate School or a J.D./MBA with the Kellogg School of Management are two examples of combined degrees that students can enroll in.
The Pritzker School of Law at Northwestern University charges a $75 application fee for its full-time programs. Full-time tuition is $69,650. The faculty-to-student ratio is 4.8:1.
#9. The University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign) Law School
The main campus of the University of Illinois is located in the twin cities of Champaign and Urbana and is referred to as the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). It is rated as one of Champaign’s top public institutions.
Even though UIUC is well known for its engineering and business programs, applicants who wish to attend law school here must still make a strong case for admission to be considered.
There is no application cost for the full-time program at the Urbana-Champaign campus of the University of Illinois College of Law. Full-time tuition in-state is $38,248 and out-of-state is $48,248. (out-of-state). There are 5.5 students for every instructor.
#10. Loyola University Chicago
There isn’t much more a student could ask for than to attend Loyola University Chicago, which also happens to be located in the heart of Chicago, and have access to diversity, city life, and networking opportunities. Also available to law students at Loyola University Chicago are more than 30 clubs and groups, including the sports and entertainment law society and the art law society.
The school also publishes the Loyola Consumer Law Review and International Law Journal in addition to a huge variety of periodicals and books.
The Loyola University Chicago School of Law’s part-time and full-time programs have no application fees. The tuition for both full-time and part-time students is $51,636. The faculty-to-student ratio is 6.2:1.
#11. Washington University (St. Louis) Law School
J.D. students at the Washington University in St. Louis School of Law can start customizing their education in their second year of study. Additionally, J.D. students have a variety of dual degree options to choose from, such as a J.D./East Asian Studies program and a J.D./MBA program.
The WUSTL School of Law also offers a distinctive Transnational Law Program, a dual degree program that allows students to complete both a J.D. and an LL.M. in four years by taking classes both domestically and abroad.
The Whitney R. Harris World Law Institute and the Center on Law, Innovation & Economic Growth are only two of the legal centers and institutes housed within the law school, which is only 15 minutes from downtown St. Louis.
At Washington University in St. Louis’ School of Law, there is no application fee for the full-time program. Full-time tuition is $63,364 per year. The instructor-to-student ratio is 4.5 to 1.
#12. University of Missouri Law School
The University of Missouri School of Law, which was founded in 1872, has four clinics, three centers, nine dual degree programs, ten certificate programs, countless elective courses, and more to offer students a challenging and useful education that is complemented by a robust traditional curriculum with an orientation toward practicing law as a problem-solving activity.
Mizzou Law students receive hands-on instruction from nationally renowned experts. Students at Mizzou Law can take part in clinics ranging from entrepreneurship to the Veterans Clinic, as well as the alternative dispute resolution program, which is ranked #4 nationally. Students at Mizzou Law can identify their areas of interest and hone the abilities needed to be successful in any area of law.
At the University of Missouri School of Law, the application fee for the full-time program is $60. Full-time in-state tuition is $23,157; full-time out-of-state tuition is $41,817. (out-of-state). 7:1 is the student-to-faculty ratio.
#13. St. Louis University Law School
Private American law school Saint Louis University School of Law, usually known as SLU LAW, is situated in St. Louis, Missouri. It belongs to Saint Louis University’s graduate professional programs.
Strong ties to the community and a long history of public service are two aspects of the School of Law’s rich history. Due to SLU LAW’s prime location in the city of St. Louis, students have unmatched access to major businesses, governmental organizations, and non-profit institutions as well as a rare chance to see the practice of law.
SLU is a prestigious law school that deserves a place with the best law schools in Iowa and the US in general.
There is no application cost for the full-time program at Saint Louis University’s School of Law. There is no application cost for the part-time program at Saint Louis University’s School of Law. Full-time tuition is $45,334 and part-time tuition is $33,010. The faculty-to-student ratio is 8.5:1.
#14. University of Nebraska – Lincoln College of Law
Students can choose to focus their legal studies in one of several areas at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Law, ranging from space and telecommunications law to problems faced by solo and small law firms.
If they want to earn two degrees at once, they can also select from a variety of joint degree options, such as the J.D./M.B.A. degree program offered in conjunction with the University of Nebraska—Lincoln College of Business Administration and the Law/Psychology program, which grants a J.D. and either a master’s degree or Ph.D. in psychology through the psychology department at the University of Nebraska—Lincoln.
The University of Nebraska in Lincoln’s College of Law charges $50 for applications to its full-time programs. Full-time in-state tuition is $16,800; full-time out-of-state tuition is $39,504. (out-of-state). 8.3:1 is the student-to-faculty ratio.
#15. Creighton University School of Law
In addition to educating lawyers, Creighton University School of Law was established in 1904 to foster leadership qualities, and to offer a strong education that is grounded in the Jesuit Catholic tradition and built on a strong mission statement.
They adhere to the Jesuit ideal of educating the full person and giving their graduates the tools they need to find their role in society and advance human welfare through initiative, by way of service. All of their life
At Creighton University’s School of Law, the application fee for the full-time program is $50. Full-time students pay $47,536 in tuition. 10.6:1 is the student-to-faculty ratio.
How to Apply for Law Schools in Iowa 2024
You must first visit each website to familiarize yourself with its needs. As long as you do, you are one step closer to being admitted.
Universities take average LSAT scores, GPA, and other factors into account when determining her acceptance rates. It can be difficult to get in, so you need to perform at your best.
Some institutions accept applications on a rolling basis, so check their websites and keep in touch with them to learn when they begin accepting applications so you can submit your application on time.
Frequently Asked Questions
28th in the list of the best law schools is the University of Iowa. Schools are rated based on how well they perform against a set of generally recognized measures of quality.
Only two ABA-accredited law schools are available in Iowa. Drake University Law School is the first, and Iowa City’s University of Iowa College of Law is the second.
It is understandable why Yale is the most difficult law school to get into with an acceptance rate of only 6.9%. They only accept about 1 in 15 highly skilled applicants.
In addition to providing top-notch undergraduate, graduate, and professional academic programs in a wide range of subjects, Iowa is renowned for its excellence in the arts and sciences.
The Iowa Bar Exam lasts for two days. Six 30-minute Multistate Essay Examination (MEE) questions and two 90-minute Multistate Performance Test (MPT) questions make up Day 1. The Multistate Bar Exam (MBE), a 200-question multiple-choice test, is administered on day two.
Conclusion
Law schools in Iowa firmly support the three fundamental goals that the Association of American Law Schools committee recommended: education for verbal comprehension and expression, education for a critical awareness of the human structures and values that the law deals with, and education for increased mental strength.
Planning an undergraduate course of study should keep these goals in mind for anyone considering attending law schools in Iowa.
References
