Choosing the right law school is the first step in a successful law career. But, with 237 schools across the country to choose from, how do you know which is the best option? In this post, we'll review each school in Maryland separately so that you can make an informed decision.
We've limited our focus to schools with American Bar Association accreditation. In Maryland, this limits the field to two choices:
Baltimore plays host to both of these universities.
University of Baltimore School of Law
- Ranking: 119 for full-time law, and 25 for part-time law.
- Bar Passage Rates: 70 percent.
- Post-Graduation Salaries: $42,000 – $116,000 per
- Acceptance Rate: 81 percent.
- LSAT: 970 and higher – the school will consider those in the top 66 percent.
Typical career paths include:
- Judicial Clerk: Earning from $42,000 per year up.
- Private Practice: Earning from $52,500 per year up.
- Corporate Attorney: Earning from $59,000 per year up. If you can get one of these coveted positions, your earning potential is higher than that of your peers.
The University of Baltimore has a non-traditional approach to how it grades applications. The LSAT scores form an essential part of the assessment, but a lot more is taken into account. The school takes care to assess the potential of each student.
So, if your LSAT score is on the low side, you might still have a chance of getting in if you show real potential. There's not a lot of competition for entry for this school. If you have your eyes set on another school, this could be a good safety school for you.
The school is best known for its liberal approach to education. It fosters in students a strong desire to help the community. It's a smaller campus with fewer than 2,000 students in total. Students agree that the professors are excellent and that workloads are manageable.
Interestingly enough, this university ranks low on the scale of party schools. It's an excellent place to get your head down and concentrate on your studies.
University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law
- Ranking: 52 for full-time law, and 4 for part-time law.
- Bar Passage Rates: 84 percent.
- Post-Graduation Salaries: $42,000 – $116,000 per annum.
- Acceptance Rate: 60 percent.
- Sat Range: 890 to 1,110
- ACT Range: 16 – 22
Typical career paths include:
- Judicial Clerk: Earning from $42,000 per year up.
- Private Practice: Earning from $52,500 per year up.
- Corporate Attorney: Earning from $59,000 per year up. If you can get one of these coveted positions, your earning potential is higher than that of your peers.
As you may note, the average salary after graduation is the same for both schools.
The University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law is highly rated. The campus size is moderate, with fewer than 10,000 students.
The competition for positions here is a lot fiercer, so you have to up your game. Students agree that the standard of education is high. The school is focused more on academic achievement than partying.
Which School is Right for Me?
Both schools are good options. If we had to choose just one, the University of Maryland Francis Carey King School of Law comes up tops.
Why?
- It ranks a lot higher in terms of the top schools in the country. It comes in 52nd place as opposed to 119 for the University of Baltimore School of Law.
- The bar passage rate is higher at 84 percent as opposed to 70 percent.
- Competition for admission is higher. All these factors and the larger campus size indicate that more students choose the University of Maryland.
- In terms of prestige, the University of Maryland is undoubtedly the better option. Their admission standards are higher, and this is something prospective employers may consider.
Should I Drop the Top School?
Even though the University of Baltimore comes in second, it still offers an excellent education. It may be a better option if:
- Your LSAT marks are on the low side. This school evaluates students on more than just scores.
- You need a more cost-effective option. The University of Baltimore is more reasonably priced.
- You prefer a smaller campus and more individualized attention.
- You want a more liberal education.
Final Notes
Overall, both schools offer an excellent education. Students generally feel optimistic about their prospects after graduation. You'll need to decide whether you prefer the hustle and bustle of a busier campus or the coziness of a smaller one.
