University of Cincinnati Law School Overview
Established in 1833, the University of Cincinnati Law School is the fourth-oldest law school in the USA and a founding member of the Association of American Law Schools. It is one of the nation's premier small public law schools, combining academic rigor with the development of essential legal skills. The school aims to provide quality education to boost its students' professional success.
The University of Cincinnati Law School delivers affordable legal training in a vibrant urban environment. It has an 8:1 student to faculty ratio, which provides an excellent learning experience, as reflected in graduates' performance on the bar exam. Cincinnati Law graduates pass the bar at a rate higher than the state average.
The Cincinnati College of Law delivers an advanced curriculum taught by a diverse faculty and experienced adjunct professors. The faculty comes from the most prestigious law schools in the nation and pride themselves on the Socratic Method's sophisticated use. Their alumni also mentor and counsel the students to develop their unique professional identity.
The University of Cincinnati Law School is one of the only five American law schools (along with Harvard Law School, Yale Law School. University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law and Columbia Law school) to have produced the 27th president of the United States – William Howard Taft. It also produced two justices of the Supreme Court of the United States: Taft and Willis Van Devanter. Its alumni also include a Vice President of the United States, Charles G. Dawes, and numerous governors and members of the U.S. Congress.
The University of Cincinnati Law School offers J.D. programs and LLM (Master of Laws) in the U.S. legal system for international attorneys. They also provide graduate certificates in U.S. Law. Since its inception in 1833, the University of Cincinnati Law School has been emphasizing a thorough engagement with the Cincinnati community, including the legal profession, courts, government, and businesses.
Its law students enjoy access to Cincinnati's 800-plus law firms, HQs to ten Fortune 500 corporations, county, state, and federal courts, including the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. This university boasts a rich assortment of internships, externships, clinics, and other opportunities to maximize students' connections with the real world and practical capacities.
This university is part of the larger University of Cincinnati – one of the biggest public research institutions in the nation. Besides being a research heavyweight, this university also maintains its status as one of the most welcoming universities in the world for international students.
The University of Cincinnati Law School sits at Calhoun Street and Clifton Avenue in Cincinnati's Heights neighborhood. Apart from its reputation for academic and research excellence, this University was ranked one of the most beautiful college campuses in the world by Forbes Magazine.
University of Cincinnati Law School Rankings
Law school rankings guide students on which schools best fit their needs, goals, and interests. So, it's essential to know the ranking of a law school before applying for admission. This way, you can determine whether you'll likely get accepted or not. It also gives you a better idea of the school's quality of education, infrastructure, faculty, and job prospects after graduating. While a law school's ranking holds a certain degree of importance for students and employers, it should not be the only factor you consider.
Also, many prospective employers, especially the top-tier firms, consider a graduate's law school ranking. Over the years, the Cincinnati Law school's surge in employment and the number of students passing the bar exams has catapulted it into the nation's best programs. The University of Cincinnati Law School ranks at No. 50 in the 2020 edition of best colleges and national universities and No. 83 (tie) in the Best Law Schools.
The U.S. News ranks Cincinnati Law School as the third most affordable school. Plus, National Jurist also deems them a five-time Best Value Law School. Such high rankings reflect their high employment and bar passage rates and increased score in peer assessment. These outcomes combine with the high-quality legal education that their faculty and staff offer students, the strength of their first-class research university, and the success and commitment of the wonderful alumni.
University of Cincinnati Law School Admissions
What Is the University of Cincinnati Law School Acceptance Rate?
The acceptance rates of different law schools vary. High-ranking schools like Yale and Cambridge have a low acceptance rate of less than 8%, meaning it's tough to get a slot. These schools tend to be pickier than others when it comes to accepting applications. For instance, out of the 3198 applicants to Yale Law School in 2019, only 263 students secured admissions, which equals an acceptance rate of 8.2%.
On the other end, there were law schools with an acceptance rate of 85% or higher. Although most of these schools did not make it to the top 50, they still receive ABA accreditation. So, you can always sit for the bar exam after completing your JD degree there.
To increase your chances of getting an admission, you should apply to a law school with higher acceptance rates. Above all, regardless of the acceptance rate, you must possess the minimum requirements: a good GPA and LSAT Score.
A law school's ranking is not the only factor determining how difficult it is to get an admission. The type of academic programs that a school provides, the number of students that apply each year, and the admission requirements – these all matter.
The University of Cincinnati Law School admission is more selective and ranks No. 95 in terms of student selectivity. It has an acceptance rate of 47.9% among those who applied for Admission in 2019.
| Applications | Offers | Matriculated | |
| Class of 2023 | 779 | 455 (58.41%) | 101 (13.0%) |
| 25% | Median | 75% | |
| GPA | 3.23 | 3.59 | 3.78 |
| LSAT | 152 | 155 | 157 |
University of Cincinnati Law School LSAT Percentiles
| 75th percentile | 157 |
| 50th percentile | 155 |
| 25th percentile | 152 |
2023 Entering Class Profile
| Number of Students | 278 |
| LSAT Score | 155 |
| Undergraduate GPA | 3.59 |
| % Women | 43.90% |
| % Students of Color | 9.0% |
What Is the Tuition for the University of Cincinnati Law School?
| In-State Resident | Non-Resident | |
| Full-Time | $24,010 | $29,010 |
| Part-Time | N/A | N/A |
What Are the Living Expenses at the University of Cincinnati Law School?
| On-Campus | $19,268 |
| Off-Campus | $19,268 |
What Are the Housing Options at the University of Cincinnati Law School?
| On-Campus | Yes |
| Off-Campus | Yes |
Bar Passage Rates at the University of Cincinnati Law School
| Reporting | 78.6% |
| First Time Takers | 117 |
| University of Cincinnati Average | 85.9% |
| Ohio Average | 81.1% |
| National Average | 79.64% |
Application Deadlines
When will the University of Cincinnati Law School application materials be available?
The University of Cincinnati Law School Provides all application material on its website. These materials are always available at all times.
When does the University of Cincinnati Law School begin accepting applications?
The University of Cincinnati Law School offers a fall start for the first-year students in the J.D. program. Individuals may submit applications anytime between September 1 and July 15, 2020, with priority given to students who apply before January 15, 2020.
How are applications to the University of Cincinnati Law School submitted?
Applicants should submit their complete applications to the Office of Admissions. They also accept applications using the Law School Admission Council.
Does the University of Cincinnati Law School have an "early admission" or an "early decision" process?
No. The University of Cincinnati Law School offers rolling admissions that run from December through to August.
How much is the application fee and when is the deadline?
| Application Fee | $35 |
| Early Decision Deadline | N/A |
| Regular Decision Deadline | 3/15 |
Does the University of Cincinnati Law School grant interviews?
Interviews are not part of the Cincinnati Law admission process. The Office of Admission only counsels' applicants for general information. Applicants are encouraged to include all supporting documentation with the application.
Employment After University of Cincinnati Law School
| Median Salary Private Sector | $62,500 |
| Median Salary Public Sector | N/A |
Attending law school is a significant financial investment. You want to be able to secure a lucrative position in the industry upon graduation. The University of Cincinnati Law School has a track record of nurturing graduates who later become Presidents, Vice Presidents, politicians, judges, successful lawyers, and entrepreneurs.
89% of the class of 2019 found employment within nine months of graduating, while 1% went ahead to pursue an additional degree. Ohio remains one of the top ten states for entry-level legal jobs, and Cincinnati Law graduates take advantage of these opportunities. New York, Illinois, California, and the District of Columbia also rank high on the list of postgraduate destinations each year.
Almost half of the University of Cincinnati Law School graduates enter private practice. Within this category, most graduates prefer to work in a law firm setting with fewer than 25 attorneys. The remaining 50% of graduates pursue careers in the public sector.
For the class of 2018, the median salary for its graduates was $61,266, whereas the average salary was about $72,506. The best-paid graduates earned roughly $112,500.
