A bustling day at the University of Texas at Austin Law School, showcasing the campus environment.
Austin, Texas, August 21, 2025
The University of Texas at Austin stands out in law education rankings, particularly for graduate law programs, highlighting its comprehensive curriculum and strong employment outcomes. An analysis shows a significant increase in graduate law student enrollment across leading institutions in the U.S., with top schools like NYU and Georgetown at the forefront. The emphasis on employment outcomes is reshaping how law schools tailor their offerings to attract and retain prospective lawyers.
Austin, Texas – The University of Texas at Austin is gaining attention for its impressive achievement in law education rankings, particularly regarding graduate law programs. As the competition intensifies among legal institutions, UT Austin stands out for its comprehensive curriculum and robust employment outcomes for graduates.
Recent data reveals that graduate law students constitute a significant portion of law school populations across the United States. In the 2012-2013 academic year, there were 9,394 LL.M. and other graduate law students nationwide, with graduate students making up 7 percent of the total number of law students. Notably, graduate law students represented 33 percent of the student body at New York University (NYU) and 25 percent at Georgetown University, both of which have maintained their status as leading institutions in this field.
NYU currently has the largest graduate law program, accommodating 706 students, while Georgetown follows closely with 657. Together, these two schools account for approximately 15 percent of all graduate law students in the U.S. Other notable institutions with substantial graduate law enrollments include George Washington University (321 students), Columbia University (294 students), and Boston University (282 students).
The rankings of law schools based on employment outcomes indicate that prestigious institutions such as Cornell, Duke, Northwestern, and Columbia enjoy high success rates in helping their graduates secure employment at law firms. The median starting salary for graduates from these top 20 law schools is reported at $172,000, significantly higher than the $93,000 median salary for grads from all other law schools. This disparity underscores the competitive edge that graduates from elite law schools possess in the job market.
Additional institutions recognized for their favorable employment statistics include Southern Methodist University, Wake Forest University, Emory University, and the University of Houston. Recent trends show that a growing number of law schools are witnessing increases in their job placement rates. Institutions such as the University of Missouri – KC, Texas Southern University, and Santa Clara Law have reported encouraging employment metrics, suggesting a positive shift in hiring within the legal profession.
While 136 law schools in the U.S. offer graduate law programs, only 31 have more than 100 students enrolled. On the other hand, 36 schools have fewer than 10 graduate law students. This disparity highlights the diverse landscape of legal education and the concentration of graduate students in a select few institutions.
As enrollment numbers continue to be scrutinized, law schools and aspiring lawyers must take these trends into account when considering their education and professional pathways. The emphasis on employment outcomes written into the rankings may further influence student choices and drive schools to enhance their offerings and support services to attract and retain top talent.
| Rank | University | Graduate Students |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York University | 706 |
| 2 | Georgetown University | 657 |
| 3 | George Washington University | 321 |
| 4 | Columbia University | 294 |
| 5 | Boston University | 282 |
| 6 | Temple University | 278 |
| 7 | American University | 264 |
| 8 | Harvard University | 261 |
| 9 | Florida Coastal School of Law | 228 |
| 10 | University of California, Berkeley | 220 |
Graduate law programs offer advanced legal education opportunities, attracting students seeking specialized knowledge beyond a JD degree. These programs can significantly impact career opportunities and earnings for graduates.
New York University and Georgetown University lead with 706 and 657 graduate law students, respectively. Other notable schools include George Washington University and Columbia University.
Graduates from the top 20 law schools generally report higher employment rates and starting salaries compared to graduates from other law schools, reflecting the prestige and resources available at these institutions.
Some law schools are experiencing increased employment rates, suggesting a positive shift for recent graduates in finding jobs within the legal profession.
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