Best Law Schools in Florida

Navigating through all the law schools in Florida can be difficult and highly stressful when you are looking for the best law schools in Florida State, US, where you can study. However, this shouldn’t stop you from getting your bachelor’s degree in law if that is your desire. To make the search easier for you, we have highlighted the best law schools in Florida and the cheapest law schools, public law schools in Florida, and a description of their history, admission requirements, and notable alumni.

Florida is a state in the southeastern region of the United States, bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, and the south by the Straits of Florida. Florida is the 22nd-most extensive (65,755 sq mi or 170,300 km2), the 3rd-most populous (20,984,400 inhabitants), and the 8th-most densely populated (384.3/sq mi or 148.4/km2) of the U.S. states. The Miami metropolitan area is Florida’s most populous urban area. Tallahassee is the state’s capital. Now, let us dive into the deal for the day.

Law Schools in Florida

Florida’s law schools are a mixed bag. On the plus side, tuition is relatively inexpensive, with in-state residents paying about $13,000 per year at public institutions. But the median LSAT score for entering students is around 152, which is near the bottom nationwide. The state also has one of the lowest bar passage rates in the country (about 70% on average). If you want to attend law school in Florida, here is what you should have in mind.

• There are 18 ABA-accredited law schools in Florida.
• The University of Florida is the top-ranked school in the state, followed by Florida State and the University of Miami.
• The average tuition at these schools for in-state students is $28,529 per year and $42,426 per year for all students (including out-of-state students).
• The average GPA of incoming students is 3.64, and the acceptance rate is 50%.
• The 25th percentile LSAT score at these schools is 156, and the 75th percentile LSAT score is 161. 33% of enrolled students submitted LSAT scores with their applications at these law schools.

However, Here is the list of Law Schools in Florida. These law schools are accredited by the ABA and are also members of the Association of American Law Schools (AALS).

1. Cumberland School of Law at Samford University
2. University of Miami School of Law
3. Florida State University College of Law
4. Stetson University College of Law
5. Ave Maria School of Law
6. Barry University Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law
7. Florida Coastal School of Law
8. Florida International University College of Law
9. Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law
10. St Thomas University School of Law
11. Florida A&M University College of Law (FAMU)
12. University of Florida Fredric G. Levin College of Law
13. University of North Florida Coggin College of Business, Herbert University Center
14. University of Florida Levin College of Law
15. Stetson University College of Law
16. Barry University Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law
17. The University of Tampa
18. Rollins College (Crummer Graduate School)

Read also: 10 Cheapest Universities in Florida for International Students

Cheapest Law Schools in Florida

According to the American Bar Association (ABA), there are over 200 law schools in the United States. They all seem to offer financial aid, which makes it difficult to determine which schools and programs are truly more affordable. If you’re interested in attending law school in your state, you’ll want to know your options before you begin applying. To help you get started, we have compiled a list of Florida’s best and cheapest law schools. Although many colleges and universities in Florida offer programs for aspiring lawyers, the following institutions stand out from the crowd due to their reputation, tuition costs, and notable alumni.

1. The University of Tampa

The University of Tampa has a much lower tuition rate at $21,900 per year. They have an excellent bar passage rate with a low student-to-faculty ratio. Their acceptance rate is also relatively low at 60%. Overall success rate: 62%

2. Rollins College (Crummer Graduate School)

Rollins College (Crummer Graduate School) has an extremely low tuition rate of $13,350 per year. However, their bar passage rate is not as good as the other schools listed here. Their acceptance rate is 73%, with a very low student-to-faculty ratio. Overall success rate: 51%

3. Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law

Nova Southeastern University’s Shepard Broad College of Law (commonly known as NSU Law or Nova Law) is a law school on the university’s main campus in Davie, Florida. Full-time day and part-time evening programs are available at the school. Shepard Broad School was founded in 1974 and is named after the lawyer and philanthropist Shepard Broad in honor of his advice, community involvement, and financial assistance. Leo Goodwin Sr., an entrepreneur and philanthropist who was dedicated to the advancement of education and research is honored with the name of the law building. In 1975, the American Bar Association approved the institution.

NSU Law offers a three-year traditional JD program and a four-year part-time evening program for working professionals. Roma Tre University in Italy, Charles University in Prague in the Czech Republic, and the University of Barcelona in Spain all offer international dual-degree programs. Students can acquire degrees in both common law and civil law through this program, leading to licenses in various jurisdictions.

4. Florida International University College of Law

Florida International University College of Law is one of two law schools within Florida International University in Miami. It was founded in 2000 and has been accredited by the American Bar Association since 2002. The school has an enrollment of around 1000 students. Students can study full-time or part-time, depending on their circumstances. It offers a Juris Doctor program and LLM degrees for foreign lawyers. The annual tuition for in-state students in the day program is $21,407 and $14,501 for those in the evening programs, while the yearly tuition for out-of-state students in the day program is $35,650 and $24,150 for those in the evening program. While Florida International University College of Law remains one of the best law schools in Florida, it is one of the state’s cheapest tuition fee law schools.

Besides studying in the cheapest schools in Florida, you can even get a scholarship to support your studies. Check out this Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program for more details.

List of the top Best law schools in Florida 2022

1. University of Miami School of Law

The University of Miami School of Law boasts an award-winning faculty. It is unique in that it offers a joint JD/LLM degree with the UM Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science. The school also has a special relationship with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), through which students can participate in internships, fellowships, seminars, and research projects. The program is also home to the Heckerling Institute on Estate Planning, which hosts an annual symposium that draws more than 4,000 attendees worldwide.

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush; US Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas is one of the notable alumni with an Acceptance rate of 46%, a Student/faculty ratio of 9:1, and a Loan default rate: of 8%, and a Student body size of 1,150. According to ranking, the University of Miami School of Law is one of the best law schools in Florida. They have a very high bar passage rate and a high percentage of students employed after graduation. The tuition is $49,850 per year, and their acceptance rate is 53%. They also have a very high student-to-faculty ratio— with an overall success rate of 69%.

Located in Coral Gables, The University of Miami School of Law is a private law school with a total enrollment of 901 students. The school offers both full-time and part-time programs, which allow students to learn at their own pace without any hassle. Its tuition fee is quite expensive, but it’s worth it because it has a very high bar passage rate. According to a ranking released by US News and World Report, the University of Florida ranked No. 20 in a list of the best law schools in the nation. The University of Florida was the highest-ranked in-state law school on the list, followed by Florida State University at No. 51. The rankings looked at data mainly from 2016 and 2017, including peer assessments by lawyers and judges, employment rates after graduation, and bar passage rates, among other factors.

2. University of Florida, Levin College of Law

The University of Florida Levin College of Law, or UF Law, is an ABA-accredited public law school located on the western side of the campus of the University of Florida in Gainesville. If you want to study law at a public university, The University of Florida Levin College of Law is one impressive school you should have on your list if you are not afraid to move to Gainesville, FL, as its location may not be favorable for everyone. This school boasts one of the highest bar passage rates in the country, and all its graduates get good jobs after graduation.

It also offers both full-time and part-time programs for students who want to take their studies at their College of Law. According to a ranking from PreLaw magazine, UF’s Levin College of Law ranked as one of the most diverse law schools in the country. As the first public university in the state, Florida State University has made its name as a research institution in Tallahassee. University of Florida’s Levin College of Law has many degree offerings, including many unique programs and concentrations.

The school also offers joint degrees in business administration, engineering, and medicine. Students have access to more than 70 student organizations and seven legal clinics. There are three student journals: The Florida Law Review, the University of Florida Journal of Law and Public Policy, and the Journal of Technology Law & Policy. The law school hosts the UF Law Center on Children and Families, which is an interdisciplinary research center that focuses on policies that impact children, including child welfare laws.

UF Law offers a Juris Doctor (JD) degree program, as well as Master’s degrees in Taxation (M.Tax.), Sports Administration (MSA), and Law (LL.M.), as well as a joint J.D./M.D. program with the College of Medicine, and a joint J.D./Masters in Business Administration (J.D./M.B.A.) program with the Warrington College of Business Administration at UF, a J.D./Master of Arts in Latin American Studies (J.D./M.A.) program with the Center for Latin American Studies, a J.D./Master of Science in Food and Resource Economics (J.D./MFSRE) program with the Institute for Food and Agricultural Sciences, and a J.D./Master of Science in International Business (JDMBA/MSIB) program with the Center for International Business Education and Research at UF Law.

4. Florida State University College of Law

The Florida State University College of Law, located in Tallahassee, Florida, is one of the professional graduate schools of the university. The law school has a history dating back to 1851 when the law department at Stetson University was founded on an English Inns of Court model. Stetson founded its law school in Gulfport, Florida, in 1954. It was called Stetson College of Law. In 2000, it became part of Florida State University and moved to Tampa, Florida. The Juris Doctor (J.D.) is the first professional law degree offered by the College of Law.

Students will get a basic first-year curriculum, a legal writing program, and a diverse array of upper-level courses, seminars, clinics, and co-curricular activities. Externship programs are available at the International Bar Association in London, the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in The Hague, the Special Court of Sierra Leone in Washington, DC, and every major city in Florida, allowing students to spend a semester outside of Tallahassee.

6. Stetson University College of Law

Stetson University College of Law (Stetson Law), part of Stetson University, was founded in 1900 and is Florida’s first law school. The law school was originally located near the university’s main campus in DeLand, Florida, but in 1954 it relocated to Gulfport, Florida. The law school is housed in the Rolyat Hotel, a famous 1920s resort hotel constructed by Richard Kiehnel. The American Bar Association has accredited the College of Law, and it has been a member of the Association of American Law Schools since 1931. The college also maintains a campus in Tampa, Florida, where it shares facilities with the Florida Second District Court of Appeal, a working court.

Stetson University College of Law’s estimated total cost of attendance (including tuition, fees, and living expenses) for the 2020–2021 academic year is $67,7156. Stetson Law has about 900 students enrolled in its Juris Doctor (J.D.) program and employs over 40 full-time faculty members. Advocacy, Business Law, Elder Law, Environmental Law, International Law, and Social Justice Advocacy are among the six concentrations available in the JD program. With three concentrations, Stetson also offers advanced legal degrees, such as an LL.M. in Advocacy, Elder Law, and International Law.

The law school also offers three M.Jur. concentrations: Aging, Law, and Policy; Healthcare Compliance; and International and Comparative Business Law.

7. Florida Coastal School of Law 

Florida Coastal School of Law is located in Jacksonville, Florida. The school was founded in 1996 and has been accredited by the American Bar Association since 1998. The school is not part of a larger university, but InfiLaw Corporation owns it. The school has around 1300 students, and it offers a Juris Doctor program, LLM degrees, and Certificate programs. Students can also study part-time if they wish to. There are seven divisions within the law school: Appellate Advocacy, Business Law, Family Law, Intellectual Property Law, Juvenile Justice, Litigation and Trial Practice, and Real Estate Law.

The total cost of attendance (including tuition, fees, and living expenses) at Florida Coastal School of Law for the 2013-2014 academic year is $51,302 for residents and $57,958 for non-residents.

8. Florida International University College of Law

The Florida International University College of Law is the university’s law school located in Miami, Florida, United States. The law school is the only public law school in South Florida and is accredited by the American Bar Association. The FIU College of Law was ranked 91 in the United States by US News & World Report’s “Best Law School Rankings” for 2020. Only Florida State University College of Law, University of Florida’s Fredric G. Levin College of Law, and the University of Miami School of Law are higher ranked law schools in the state. According to the magazine, FIU was also placed 37th in the United States for its part-time legal programs.

Since the appointment of Modesto A. Maidique as president of Florida International University in 1986, the university has pushed to establish a public law school in South Florida. The Florida Board of Regents, which included several graduates of other Florida law schools and was opposed to establishing any other public law schools in the state, met with opposition from Maidique. Governor Jeb Bush pushed the idea through the state legislature in 2000, along with the re-establishment of a law school at Florida A&M University, and the institution was finally established.

Read also: 10 Best Law Schools in Texas

Conclusion

Law schools in Florida are typically the best choice to kick-start your career. This is because the state has many law schools that provide high-quality courses to students. Also, there are many opportunities for graduates who complete their law studies in Florida. The search for the right law school can be very challenging, given many law schools in this part of the United States. However, there are some key points you need to consider when making your decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a decent law school in Florida?

The Levin College of Law at the University of Florida (UF) is ranked 31st among all law schools in the US News & World Report yearly rankings. Because of its emphasis on academics and practical work, UF Law is primarily regarded as one of the greatest public law schools in the country.

What is the law school at the University of Florida notable for?

State and national legal, political, corporate, government, and educational leaders have graduated from law school. The UF Law “Gator Nation” is also noted for maintaining a robust alumni network. Five American Bar Association presidents have graduated from UF Law, including Stephen N. Smith, who served as President of the American Bar Association from 2010–to 2011.

What is the ranking of the University of Florida School of Law?

In the Best Law Schools list, the University of Florida (Levin) is placed No. 21. Schools are ranked based on their performance on a set of widely regarded excellence factors. Please see the list above to learn more about the University of Florida School of Law.

How much does a lawyer earn In Florida?

In Florida, the average annual compensation for an attorney is $85,088. According to indeed.

Is the LSAT difficult?

Yes, the LSAT is difficult, but keep in mind that it was created that way because a legal career might be even more difficult. The LSAT verifies that you have the necessary legal knowledge and determines whether you have the skills to pursue a career in law.

What Is the Easiest Law School in Florida to Get Into?

The Florida Law Schools with the Easiest Admissions With a 61 percent acceptance rate, 146 median LSAT scores, and a 2.96 GPA, Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law is one of the best law schools in the country. With a 72 percent acceptance rate, a 144 median LSAT score, and a 2.88 GPA, Florida Coastal School of Law is one of the best law schools in the country.

Is there a good law school in Florida?

According to the World University Rankings (2020), Florida State University is the 50th best law school in the world and the 17th best law school in the United States.

Is FAMU’s law school a good one?

Best Law Schools ranks Florida A&M University No. 147-193 and Part-time Law ranks No. 55-70. Schools are ranked based on their performance on a set of widely accepted excellence indicators.

What is the difference between a t2 law school and a traditional law school?

What is the difference between a Tier 2 and a Tier 3 law school? Tier 2 law schools may refer to law schools that do not appear on the T14 list. They are the schools on the list that are ranked after the number 14 school. For example, tier 2 could include the number 15 law school on the list.

Is the bar exam more difficult than the LSAT?

After that, you must take the bar exam to become a lawyer after completing law school. The bar exam’s difficulty varies by state. According to some bar exam takers, the bar exam was more difficult than the LSAT. Others claim it was simpler.