William & Mary Law School Ranking: Where the Oldest Law School in America Stands Today
William & Mary Law School ranks #34 nationally in the 2026 U.S. News rankings. The oldest law school in the United States, founded in 1779, is selective but accessible, with a 22% acceptance rate, a 166 median LSAT, and a 3.82 median GPA. It punches above its overall rank where it counts: a top-20 federal clerkship rate, a roughly 93% first-time bar pass rate, and, for Virginia residents, public-school tuition near $46,000 that few schools at its level can match.
What is William & Mary Law School’s ranking?
William & Mary Law School ranks #34 (tie) out of 194 schools in the 2026 U.S. News Best Law Schools list. That places it just outside the top 30, in the strong second tier of national law schools and among the better-regarded public law schools in the country.
The overall number undersells the school in two areas. W&M ranks roughly #18 nationally for federal clerkship placement and posts a first-time bar pass rate around 93%, both stronger than a #34 ranking would suggest.
So the honest read is that W&M is a #34 school on paper that performs like a higher-ranked one for clerkship-bound and bar-focused students, especially within Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic.
William & Mary Law School acceptance rate, LSAT, and GPA
William & Mary’s acceptance rate is 22% for the 2025 cycle, with 478 offers from 2,176 applications into a small first-year class of about 184. The enrolled class posted a median LSAT of 166 and a median GPA of 3.82.
| W&M metric (2025 ABA 509) | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| LSAT | 161 | 166 | 167 |
| Undergraduate GPA | 3.53 | 3.82 | 3.94 |
An applicant at or above a 166 LSAT and a 3.8 GPA is competitive; the wider GPA spread (3.53 to 3.94) signals that W&M reads files holistically and will weigh trajectory and context. Check your odds with our law school admission predictor.
One W&M-specific requirement matters: the application includes a “Why William & Mary Law” statement on top of the personal statement. The admissions committee leans on it to gauge fit with the school’s citizen-lawyer mission, so treat it as a real essay, not a formality. Our personal statement guide covers the approach.
How much does William & Mary Law cost?
As a public law school, W&M charges very different tuition by residency: about $46,102 a year in-state and $70,839 out-of-state for 2025-26. For a Virginia resident, that in-state figure is one of the strongest value propositions among top-40 schools.
The value case weakens for non-residents, whose tuition approaches private-school levels, though it still trails the District’s private schools. About 66% of students receive grant or scholarship funding, which can close the gap further. Model your real number with our guides to law school cost and law school scholarships.
What is William & Mary Law known for?
William & Mary is known, first, as the birthplace of American legal education. It was founded in 1779, making it the oldest law school in the United States, and its first professor, George Wythe, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, taught Thomas Jefferson, John Marshall, and Henry Clay.
The “citizen lawyer” mission
That heritage shapes the school’s modern identity around the idea of the “citizen lawyer,” a practitioner trained for public service and civic leadership, not just private practice. It runs through admissions (the “Why W&M” essay) and the curriculum alike.
Constitutional law and legal writing
W&M is well regarded in constitutional law, anchored by its Institute of Bill of Rights Law, one of the country’s established centers for First Amendment and constitutional study, a natural fit for students aiming at constitutional and appellate practice. Its legal-writing and skills training is also a long-standing strength, reinforcing the courtroom and clerkship pipeline.
Clerkships and a small, collegial class
Clerkship placement is a signature strength: W&M ranks around #18 nationally in federal clerkships, and counting state courts the total share is higher still, well above the national average. With about 184 students per class and a 6.1:1 student-faculty ratio, it offers the close faculty access that feeds strong clerkship and recommendation outcomes.
William & Mary Law bar passage and employment outcomes
W&M’s outcomes are solid and clerkship-rich. The first-time bar passage rate is about 93%, comfortably above the Virginia state average, and roughly 96.8% of graduates were employed within ten months, with 88.7% in full-time, long-term bar-required jobs.
Placement skews regional and clerkship-heavy. Around 19% of recent graduates entered large firms, and a notably high share took judicial clerkships, with the rest spread across government, public interest, and regional firms across Virginia, Washington, D.C., and the Mid-Atlantic. W&M is a strong choice for that geography, less so for someone targeting a national BigLaw market that favors higher-ranked schools. See the broader picture in our Virginia law schools guide and the national law school rankings.
Is William & Mary Law School worth it?
For a Virginia resident, or anyone aiming at clerkships or public-service work in the Mid-Atlantic, W&M is an excellent value: a #34 school with elite clerkship placement, strong bar passage, and in-state tuition that few peers can match. The heritage and small-class culture are real added pulls.
The calculus is closer for out-of-state students paying near-private tuition, who should weigh W&M against higher-ranked options and its regional, rather than national, placement footprint. The Juris Doctor is the standard three-year program, and for many applicants the deciding factor is geography: if you want to practice in Virginia or D.C., W&M is one of the smartest choices on the board.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is William & Mary Law School’s ranking?
William & Mary Law School ranks #34 (tie) in the 2026 U.S. News Best Law Schools list. It ranks higher in specific areas, including roughly #18 nationally for federal clerkship placement.
What is William & Mary Law’s acceptance rate?
W&M’s acceptance rate is 22% for the 2025 cycle, with 478 offers from 2,176 applications. The enrolled class posted a median LSAT of 166 and a median GPA of 3.82.
Is William & Mary the oldest law school in America?
Yes. Founded in 1779, William & Mary is the oldest law school in the United States. Its first professor, George Wythe, taught Thomas Jefferson and John Marshall.
How much does William & Mary Law cost?
For 2025-26, full-time tuition is about $46,102 in-state and $70,839 out-of-state. As a public school, it offers strong value for Virginia residents, and about 66% of students receive grant aid.
What is William & Mary Law’s bar passage rate?
The first-time bar passage rate is about 93%, above the Virginia state average. Roughly 96.8% of graduates are employed within ten months, with a notably high share in judicial clerkships.
Is William & Mary Law School worth it?
For Virginia residents and clerkship- or public-service-bound students in the Mid-Atlantic, yes: strong outcomes and in-state value. For out-of-state students paying near-private tuition, the case is closer against higher-ranked schools.
