Why Choose UC Irvine School of Law?

For a detailed look at how UC Irvine School of Law compares with other top national schools in the U.S. across major rankings, see the list below.

Since its inception in 2009, UC Irvine School of Law has distinguished itself with an innovative curriculum emphasizing interdisciplinary perspectives, practical training, social justice advocacy, experiential learning, and a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our students engage in real-world legal work from day one, guided by highly regarded faculty recognized worldwide for their expertise.

Overall Rankings and Reputation

The major global rankings rank UC Irvine School of Law within the top 15 to 20 law schools in the United States. 

Quality of Programs

A 2025 ranking of specialty programs listed UC Irvine School of Law as No. 14 in the U.S. for the overall quality of specialty programs. UC Irvine School of Law is a top law school for business law, criminal law, tax law, legal technology, international law and public policy. 

Quality of Teaching and Faculty

Princeton Review in 2023 ranked UC Irvine School of Law No. 2 for quality of faculty teaching and No. 10 for academic experience. Additionally, the faculty ranked No. 9 overall and the top public law school for academic impact, with a 2024 study listing them No. 20 for academic influence.

Support of Students

In winter 2024, PreLaw Magazine ranked us No. 1 in the U.S. for our support of Asian students, No. 9 for Hispanic students, and No. 25 for Black students. Princeton Review (2023) ranked us No. 10 for the academic experience we provide students. 

Future Jobs and Careers

UC Irvine School of Law ranks No. 1 in California and No. 4 nationally for practical training (2025). We’re also recognized for strong job outcomes, including top rankings for salary-to-debt ratio and large law firm placements.

A Commitment to Public Interest Lawyering

We are the best school in the U.S. for public interest lawyering, with one of the largest pro bono programs in the nation. Over the last 15 years, our students have volunteered 160,000 legal service hours, choosing from over 100 pro bono projects starting the second semester of their first year. Our clinical program is one of the largest in the nation when compared to our student size, with 19 to 20 clinics each year. 

A Diverse Community

Over 50 percent of our students are students of color, and more than 25 percent identify as first-generation. In winter 2024, PreLaw Magazine ranked us as one of the top law schools for diversity. 

Location and Quality of Life

Students come to Orange County to launch their careers nationwide. As a national school, we offer programs in New York and Washington, D.C., while providing an unparalleled experience in Irvine for three years or more.

Rankings

Overall Rankings - Reputation and Quality

Law School The World Times Higher Education
(2025 – Law)
Academic Rankings of World Universities (Shanghai Global, Law, 2024) QS World University Rankings (Law/Legal Studies, 2025) U.S. News and World Report Rankings
(2025 - Law)
Fortuna, Combined Rankings
(2023 – Law)
U.S. News Omnibus Specialty Program Rankings
(2025)
Rankings, Revealed Preferences (2023), Table A1
Michigan 9 28 13 8 10 4 10
UCLA 12 22 8 12 11 8 15
Cornell 13 41 11 18 14 26 14
UC Irvine 18 14 21 38 19 14 22
Vanderbilt 16 34 24 14 17 19 17
Minnesota 26 51-75 28 20 19 23 26
Northwestern 15 23 15 10 16 7 12
Texas (Austin) 19 33 17 14 15 12 16
Florida 23 46 37 38 23 32 39
Boston Univ. 25 51-75 16 22 18 20 27
USC (Gould) 22 50 29 26 25 43 20
Emory Univ. 37 101-150 33 38 Not ranked 28 23
UC Davis 29 76-100 27 50 Not ranked 31 41
Wash. U. 59 76-100 23 14 Not ranked 21 21

Student Support: Supportive, Inclusive Communities

Law School Best Professors - Teaching
(Princeton Review, 2023)
Most Diverse
(PreLaw, Winter 23)
Support: Asian Students
(PreLaw, Winter 24)
Support: Hispanic Students
(PreLaw, Winter 24)
Support: Black Students
(PreLaw, Winter 24)
UC Irvine 2 A(#18)* 1 9 25
UCLA 2 A- 7 22 Not ranked
Vanderbilt 2 Not ranked Not ranked Not ranked Not ranked
Michigan 9 B+ Not ranked Not ranked Not ranked
Boston Univ. 9 Not ranked Not ranked Not ranked Not ranked
Cornell 16 A- 21 Not ranked Not ranked
Northwestern 16 A- Not ranked Not ranked Not ranked
Wash. U. 16 Not ranked Not ranked Not ranked Not ranked
Texas (Austin) 26 Not ranked Not ranked Not ranked Not ranked
UC Davis 26 A- 5 21 Not ranked
Minnesota Not ranked Not ranked Not ranked Not ranked  Not ranked
USC (Gould) Not ranked B+ 4 Not ranked 22
Florida Not ranked Not ranked Not ranked Not ranked Not ranked
Emory Univ. Not ranked A- Not ranked Not ranked 24

*only school listed in top 25

The Best Training: Preparing Students Fully, Career Support

Law School Clinical Training
(U.S. News, 2025)
Best Practical Training
(PreLaw, Spr. 2025)
Career Support
(Princeton Review, 2023)
Go-To Law School
(Law.com, 2024)
% of Public Interest Positions (2023 Grads)
Reuters, 2023 JDs in Law Jobs
(Reuters, April 2024) (Top 15)
Northwestern 12 34 Not ranked 4 1 4% Not ranked
Michigan 4 27 Not ranked 1 Not ranked 9% 2
UC Irvine 14 8 4 17 20 10% 12
Wash. U. 19 44 Not ranked 43 16 11% 15
UCLA 24 103 Not ranked 12 12 15% Not ranked
Minnesota 19 Not ranked 6 21 42 13% 11
Texas (Austin) 31 96 Not ranked 14 19 11% 15
Vanderbilt 31 89 Not ranked 17 8 7% 14
Cornell 31 70 20 14 5 11% Not ranked
Boston Univ. 31 34 Not ranked 21 17 7% Not ranked
UC Davis 76 89 Not ranked 21 29 22% Not ranked
Florida 112 61 Not ranked 27 27 8% Not ranked
USC (Gould) 71 Not ranked Not ranked 4 9 5% Not ranked
Emory Univ. 84 70 Not ranked 43 22 7% Not ranked

Faculty Quality – Scholarly Distinction and Impact of Faculty

Law School
Academic Impact Study
(Heald & Sichelman, 2019)
Total Scholarly Impact – Interdisciplinary
(Ruhl et al, 2020)

Forward Looking Academic Impact

(M. Sag, 2023)
Scholarly Impact Study
(Sisk et al. 2024)
Faculty Quality
(Leiter Blog, 2023)
Scholarly Distinction
(Leiter Blog, 2022)
Top 28 Law Faculty, Citation Sources
(Beatty, 2022), Table 18
Scholarly Impact Study
(Fischman, 2024, Table 1)
Vanderbilt 5 9 7 9 17 17 3 6
UC Irvine 9 5 20 22 21 21 9 11
Northwestern 12 20 14 16 15 14 17 14
Cornell 13 24 13 13 12 14 22 16
UCLA 14 13 12 11 13 12 15 13
Michigan 19 11 15 14 9 8 19 21
Minnesota 20 1 23+/NR 23 21 21 21 22
Texas (Austin) 23 21 16 20 16 16 18 19
UC Davis 24 Not ranked 18 18 29 30 11 9
Wash. U. 26 23 Not ranked 28 19 19 24 78
Boston Univ. 27 7 21 27 20 19 20 18
Emory Univ. 29 25 19 18 25 25 Not ranked 43
USC (Gould) 36 8 23 26 18 18 26 25
Florida 43 Not ranked Not ranked 30 Not ranked Not ranked  Not ranked 38