Law Schools
10 Best Law Schools in Wisconsin |Cost, Requirements, How to Apply
Have you had aspirations of attending a reputable law school in Wisconsin to succeed in the legal field? You are about to read the best article available on the subject.
Since its early settlement, the state has had a rich history of cultural and ethnic variety, which it continues to have now.
International students studying at law schools in Wisconsin have the chance to learn about a variety of technological fields in booming Wisconsin law schools. Not to mention the demands of conventional academic disciplines at one of the state’s many excellent universities.
For admission to study law, the majority of law schools in other nations merely require a high school diploma or its equivalent. However, the law is a professional academic discipline in the US that awards Juris Doctor (J.D.) degrees.
So pay close attention as we continue to explain the best law schools in Wisconsin that you might find intriguing.
Are There Law Schools in Wisconsin?
Few options exist for Wisconsin individuals who want to attend law schools in Wisconsin approved by the American Bar Association (ABA). Only two such institutions exist in Wisconsin. Fortunately, the two law schools in Wisconsin offer some fascinating and unique distinctions from one another and are considerably different from one another. The other is a public law school, while one is a private Catholic school.
The following article gives you a quick rundown of some key distinctions between the two law schools in Wisconsin so you can pick the one that’s best for you.
Graduates of law schools in Wisconsin are eligible for the Juris Doctor degree. It can also lead to a variety of legal employment in a variety of disciplines, including politics, business, higher education, alternative conflict resolution, consultancy, public interest advocacy, and many more.
If you want to pursue a J.D. Make careful to look into alternative career paths, such as those involving additional graduate degrees and job experience, for any profession other than the practice of law to determine whether attending law school in Wisconsin is the best option.
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How Long is a Law School in Wisconsin?
In Wisconsin, there are three years of law school. Although three years in law school may seem like a long time, you only have six semesters to learn how to think like a lawyer, comprehend the fundamentals of the law, and hone the abilities you’ll need in your future career.
Except for patent law, which necessitates a technical undergraduate major or considerable training in science courses as well as a passing score on the patent bar exam, graduates of law schools in Wisconsin can practice any subject of law after passing a state bar exam.
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How Much Does Law School Cost in Wisconsin?
For law schools in Wisconsin, full-time tuition for law schools ranges from $30,282 to $49,710, while part-time tuition is $29,475. For part-time students, University of Wisconsin charges as little as $1,293 (in-state) and $2,072 (out-of-state).
You can also make research on scholarships and grants available for law school students in the United States.
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What are The Requirements For Getting Into A Law School in Wisconsin?
Any information you provide in your application will be carefully considered by admissions committees of law schools in Wisconsin when determining whether to admit you. The general requirements for admission into Wisconsin law schools are as follows:
Application Fee
The non-refundable application fee must be paid through your LSAC applicant portal.
Record Of Residence Form
Regardless of whether you are claiming residency, you must fill out the Registrar’s Record of Residence form. This form, which is used to assess if you qualify for in-state tuition, will be delivered to you via email two to three days after you submit your application. State laws in Wisconsin govern the complicated topic of residency for tuition reasons. The Law School does not determine residency; rather, the UW-Madison Registrar’s Office does.
Credential Assembly Service
Every candidate must sign up for the LSAC-sponsored Credential Assembly Service. With your application, you must provide the Law Schools in Wisconsin an office with al CAS report that includes your transcripts from any undergraduate and graduate institutions that you have attended. Please visit LSAC.org with any queries on CAS.
Law School Admission Test
Registration for the LSAT and the Credential Assembly Service is mandatory for applicants. Normally, the LSAT costs $200. One of the keys determining factors for admission to Indiana law schools is your exam score. Therefore, early planning is crucial.
Transcripts
Transcripts should be sent to LSAC using the procedure outlined on the website for international transcripts.
Before applying to law schools in Wisconsin, you must have original transcripts from all graduate, undergraduate, and certificate-granting institutions.
All overseas applicants whose first language is not English must also provide an IELTS or TOEFL score that attests to proficiency in English. Your score should be sent to LSAC so that it can be a part of your CAS report.
A Personal Statement
Any Wisconsin law school will frequently request a personal statement. You can use this as an opportunity to educate the admissions committee about your personality, academic accomplishments, professional aspirations, and even your reasons for applying to their law school.
Recommendation letter
Prospective students at Wisconsin law schools are required to submit two letters of recommendation.
What Are the Best Law Schools in Wisconsin?
In Wisconsin law schools, diversity is not only discussed; every effort is made to foster a more inclusive and diverse community that is committed to the pursuit of equal justice under the law. They hold law schools accountable for fostering a learning environment where each student feels secure, valued, respected, and heard. They also acknowledge the special role law schools play in the fight against systemic inequality.
Their behavior has long been consistent with these principles. They seek diversity among admitted students and attract students from various walks of life and backgrounds because they think it creates a rich and engaging learning environment.
Like other top law schools, they provide both full-time and part-time programs and provide excellent academic and employment prospects. The best law schools in Wisconsin are as follows:
- University of Wisconsin Law School
- Marquette University Law School
#1. University of Wisconsin Law School
The University of Wisconsin Law School is one of the best law schools in Wisconsin and the most stimulating legal institutions in the nation, drawing students from all over the world.
Established in 1868, the UW Law School. It was among the first institutions of higher learning to get approval from the American Bar Association’s (ABA) Council on Legal Education, and it is a founding member of the Association of American Law Schools. It is situated in Madison, the state capital of Wisconsin, a breathtakingly gorgeous city that serves as a hub for political and judicial action.
The Law School welcomes international faculty members and students, providing a variety of global viewpoints to the classroom. The number of international students at UW-Madison is among the highest in the nation.
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-instructor ratio.
#2. Marquette University Law School
Downtown Milwaukee is home to the private Catholic law school Marquette University.
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.
The J.D./M.B.A. is one of many combined degrees that Marquette Law School provides students who want to complete two degrees simultaneously. a J.D./Master of Political Science from Marquette University’s Political Science Department, a Master of Science in Sports Business from the Graduate School of Management at the university, and a J.D./Master of Bioethics from the Medical College of Wisconsin.
The school’s appeal may be impacted by its slightly higher post-graduation employment rate. According to employment statistics, the majority of Marquette alumni either work for law firms or in private practice. It is outstanding among law schools in Wisconsin.
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.
Best Law Schools Close to Wisconsin 2024
The following law schools are nearby and can be added to your list of law schools in Wisconsin if you live in a city or state that is close to Wisconsin. On the list of top law schools in the US, they are ranked highly.
#3. University of Iowa School of Law
Iowa City, IA is home to the University of Iowa College of Law. North Liberty, Coralville, and Iowa City all make up the city of Iowa.
Iowa Law is a public university and is Licensed by the American Bar Association just like all Wisconsin law schools.
At Iowa Law, the first year of study consists primarily of obligatory legal courses as per the regular curriculum; however, you are allowed to choose one elective from a list of approved courses in the spring semester. The second and third years’ curriculum consists virtually entirely of electives and legal clinics. In terms of placing students in legal employment, they take satisfaction in surpassing the national norm.
There is no application cost for the full-time program at the College of Law at the University of Iowa. In-state full-time tuition is $29,132; out-of-state full-time tuition is $48,747. (out-of-state). The ratio of faculty to students is 8.2:1.
#4. Drake University Law School
The Drake University Law School is situated in Des Moines, Iowa. 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. If you don’t regard law schools in Wisconsin, this is another awesome place for real practical exposure!
The only other first-year courses given by the school are an Introduction to Law and a First-Year Trial Practicum, both of which are offered for no J.D. credit today. degree. DU Law provides a wide range of concentration options in addition to mandatory courses.
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.
#5. Loyola University of 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 organizations and organizations, including the sports and entertainment law society and the art law society.
The school also produces the Loyola Consumer Law Review and the International Law Journal in addition to a huge number of other periodicals and books.
The full-time program at Loyola University Chicago’s School of Law has no application fees. The part-time program at Loyola University Chicago’s School of Law has no application fees. The tuition is $51,636 for both full-time students and part-time students. The faculty-to-student ratio is 6.2:1.
#6. DePaul University School of Law
The Law School offers both a full-time and part-time legal curriculum. Candidates for DePaul’s law school scholarships are taken into consideration after acceptance.
These scholarships come with grants based on merit and, to a lesser extent, grants based on diversity (whether ethnic, racial, geographic, socio-economic, or another measure of diversity). This is a unique factor that may not be seen in Wisconsin law schools.
At the DePaul University College of Law in Chicago, students can concentrate their legal studies on a range of subjects, including corporate law and taxation, intellectual property law and information technology, criminal law, and health law.
For its full-time programs, the Law School at DePaul University does not require an application fee. The part-time program at DePaul University’s College of Law has no application fees. Both the full-time and part-time tuition are $50,140 and $32,750 respectively. The student-to-instructor ratio is 7.9:1.
#7. University of Chicago Law School
The third-largest city in the US, Chicago, offers a multitude of opportunities for aspirant lawyers! There is also the University of Chicago, which is ranked as the third-best law school by U.S. News and World Report. It ranks higher than law schools in Wisconsin and is a good is a wonderful choice to make.
Due to its impressive statistics, which include a 98.7% bar passage rate and a 95% rate of employment at graduation, the University of Chicago Law School is frequently recognized as one of the most prestigious law schools in the world.
It is no surprise that the University of Chicago is a highly regarded law school and one of the best in Illinois given these excellent statistics.
At the University of Chicago Law School, the application fee for the full-time program is $90. Full-time tuition is $72,081 per year. The ratio of instructors to students is 5.5:1.
#8. 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 first-year courses that are required, Minnesota law students have the option of taking a course in the fundamentals of business for attorneys, international law, civil procedure, or legislation and regulation.
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.
More than half of Minnesota Law students undergo a live-client clinical course before graduation, and the Minnesota Law School offers 25 clinical courses that provide opportunities for experiential learning.
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.
#9. University of St. Thomas 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. Its commitment to competent training make it worthy to be recommended to law schools in Wisconsin.
It offers a cutting-edge curriculum that prioritizes professional development and all-around education. For each student to become a lawyer who leads their community by serving it, we work to help them develop the professional and ethical qualities that are essential to long-term success in our field.
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.
#10. Mitchell Hamline School of Law
The Mitchell Hamline School of Law offers a legal education that is distinguished by great practical legal training and is based on legal theory. With a history spanning more than 100 years, this independent law school is a leader in shaping legal education to be pertinent to the students, their potential clients, and the legal industry.
The institution is dedicated to providing legal education to all students and provides an unrivaled selection of enrollment possibilities. Students leave school ready to use their degree or their legal training in the career of their choice.
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 ratio.
How to Apply For Law Schools in Wisconsin
Planning is needed to apply to Wisconsin law schools. All law schools follow a similar set of procedures. According to the Law School Admission Council, we have detailed the fundamental steps in the application process for law school. They consist of:
- A meeting with your undergraduate institution’s pre-law advisor
- Make an LSAC account.
- Sign up and get ready for the LSAT
- look into law schools
- Meet the recruiters for law schools
- Create an account with the Credential Assembly Service (CAS)
- Obtain all necessary transcripts.
- Request recommendation letters
- Write a Personal Statement
- Allow law schools to find you
- Apply online
Frequently Asked Questions
You can email the admissions committee and seek to defer your enrollment at New Wisconsin law schools along with an explanation for your request.
Yes. It’s difficult to get accepted into the best law schools in Wisconsin.
The top 10% of attorneys in 2019 had median yearly compensation of more than $208,000. To attain a better work-life balance, several new graduates of law schools decide without practicing the law.
A law degree can be useful for many different jobs, and it might be helpful in roles that are connected to the legal industry.
The Law School Admission Council will be more likely to consider you for admission to law school if your LSAT score is higher. When they filed their applications, many applicants to law school who were accepted had a median LSAT score of 163 and a GPA of 3.5 or above.
The most important criterion used by firms to hire law students is typically their grades.
Conclusion
Every student who has the good fortune to get accepted into one of Wisconsin law schools has a tremendous chance of becoming well-known and having a prosperous career. Wisconsin offers several great chances for employment and education.
Each of the institutions on the list above is distinctive and stands out in its way. We sincerely hope that this aids in your quest for Wisconsin law schools.
References
- US News Ranking – Best Law Schools in Wisconsin
- The Law School Admission Council (LSAC) – Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
- Lawyeredu.org – Steps to Become A Lawyer