ASU Law School – Things To Know
ASU Law is one of the best values in American legal education. It pairs a top-20 public ranking and the No. 1 legal writing program in the country with tuition well below most peer schools.
This guide covers everything a prospective applicant needs: the acceptance rate, LSAT and GPA numbers, tuition, bar passage, rankings, specialty programs, employment outcomes, and how ASU compares to its in-state rival. For broader context, see our Arizona law schools hub and the national law school rankings.
The table below summarizes the key ASU Law admission and outcome numbers at a glance.
| Metric | ASU Law (recent data) |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | About 19.78% |
| Median LSAT | 165 (25th-75th: 158-167) |
| Median GPA | 3.91 (25th-75th: 3.58-3.98) |
| In-state tuition and fees | About $29,833 |
| Out-of-state tuition and fees | About $53,542 |
| First-time bar passage | About 87.5% (2024 graduates) |
| U.S. News 2026 rank | No. 44 overall; top-20 public |
| Application fee | Waived (none) |
These figures come from recent ABA-509-aligned reporting and shift slightly each admissions cycle. Confirm the current numbers on the school’s official ABA-509 disclosure before you apply.
What is the ASU Law School acceptance rate?
The ASU Law School acceptance rate is about 19.78% for the most recent entering class. The school received roughly 4,610 applications and extended about 912 offers of admission. This makes ASU Law a selective, competitive program, though it is more accessible than the T14 schools, whose acceptance rates run far lower.
ASU Law admits fewer than 1 in 5 applicants. The acceptance rate has tightened over the past decade, dropping more than 23 percentage points from where it sat 10 years ago, which reflects the school’s rising national profile.
Selectivity varies by cycle and by applicant pool. Some recent reporting shows the rate near 22% in an earlier year, so treat 19.78% as the most current figure rather than a fixed number. Your individual odds depend far more on your LSAT, GPA, and application strength than on the headline rate.
What LSAT score and GPA do you need for ASU Law?
To be competitive at ASU Law, aim for an LSAT score around the median of 165 and a GPA near 3.91. The middle 50% of admitted students scored between 158 and 167 on the LSAT and held GPAs between 3.58 and 3.98. Scores at or above these medians make you a strong candidate; scores below can be offset by other application strengths.
The LSAT median of 165 is the number to target. A 165 places you at the class midpoint, while a 167 or higher strengthens both your admission odds and your scholarship prospects. The 25th percentile of 158 shows that scores in the high 150s are still viable with a strong overall file. Our guide to LSAT scores explains what each band means.
The GPA median of 3.91 is high, reflecting a strong applicant pool. A GPA below the median is not disqualifying, because ASU Law reviews applications holistically, weighing professional experience, leadership, personal background, and the personal statement alongside the numbers. ASU also accepts the GRE in place of the LSAT.
Strengthen a below-median file in 3 ways. Highlight professional accomplishments and leadership, use the optional statements to add context, and excel in the parts of the application you control, such as your personal statement and letters of recommendation. Preparing well for the LSAT remains the single highest-leverage step.
How much does ASU Law School cost?
ASU Law costs about $29,833 per year for Arizona residents and $53,542 for out-of-state students in tuition and fees. With living costs added, the total cost of attendance runs roughly $86,000 per year. ASU Law maintains one of the lowest costs among ABA-accredited law schools, and the application fee is waived.
Affordability is central to ASU Law’s identity. The school makes a stated priority of keeping tuition down while raising quality, and its in-state tuition sits well below most top-50 programs. For non-residents, the roughly $53,542 rate is still competitive against private peers that often exceed $70,000.
Scholarships lower the real price further. Almost all incoming JD students are automatically considered for merit-based aid, and a large majority receive some grant or scholarship funding, with many awards covering half of tuition or more. The waived application fee removes one more barrier to applying. Compare typical figures in our guide to law school cost.
What is ASU Law School ranked?
ASU Law is ranked No. 44 nationally by U.S. News & World Report for 2026 and has been a top-20 public law school for 17 consecutive years. Several specialty programs rank far higher: legal writing is No. 1 in the nation, dispute resolution is No. 11, environmental law is No. 14, and health care law is No. 16.
The overall No. 44 ranking places ASU Law comfortably in the top tier of American law schools, ahead of peers such as UC Davis, Colorado, and Washington. Its consistency as a top-20 public school for nearly two decades signals durable strength rather than a one-year spike.
The specialty rankings are where ASU truly stands out. A No. 1 legal writing program is a national distinction few schools hold, and the program has ranked in the top 10 for 16 straight years. Strong showings in dispute resolution, environmental law, and health care law give applicants in those fields a top-tier reason to choose ASU. See how the school sits among peers in the national law school rankings.
Is ASU a good law school?
Yes, ASU Law is a good law school. It ranks in the top tier nationally, holds top-20 public status, posts strong bar passage and employment numbers, and offers the No. 1 legal writing program in the country, all at one of the lowest costs among ABA-accredited schools. Its value, measured by outcomes per dollar, is among the best in the nation.
The case for ASU Law rests on value and outcomes. The school ranks No. 10 nationally for return on investment, according to the ABA Journal, which weighs strong employment results against low tuition. For students who want a top-tier legal education without top-tier debt, that combination is hard to match.
The qualitative picture is also strong. Student reviews describe passionate, accessible faculty, a collaborative rather than cutthroat culture, and robust career services, with a downtown Phoenix location that connects students to a thriving legal market of firms, courts, and government agencies. It is a strong choice, particularly for students who plan to practice in the Southwest.
The main caveat is regional reach. As a public school rooted in Arizona, ASU Law sends the majority of its graduates into the Arizona market, so applicants who want to practice in a distant region should weigh that pull against the school’s growing national and Washington, D.C. footprint. For a Southwest-focused career, few schools offer a better return on the investment.
What is the ASU Law School bar passage rate?
ASU Law’s first-time bar passage rate is about 87.5% for 2024 graduates, and its two-year ultimate bar passage rate is about 94.5% for 2022 graduates. These rates rank among the strongest in Arizona and beat the statewide average by a wide margin, showing that ASU prepares its graduates effectively for licensure.
Bar passage is one of the clearest measures of a school’s academic preparation. ASU Law’s first-time pass rate near 87.5% sits well above the Arizona statewide average, giving the school one of the largest positive bar-passage differentials in the country, ranked No. 8 nationally on that metric.
The two-year ultimate rate near 94.5% means the large majority of graduates who set out to become licensed attorneys do so within two years. Passing the bar is the gateway to practice, so this margin matters directly to your career. Our guide to bar exam passing rates gives national context for these figures.
What is ASU Law School known for?
ASU Law is known for its No. 1 legal writing program, its nationally respected Indian Legal Program, its affordability, and its strong specialty offerings in dispute resolution, health care law, environmental law, and sports law. Named for Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, the school also emphasizes public service and experiential learning.
Several programs define the school’s reputation. The 4 standout areas are the following:
- Legal writing: ranked No. 1 in the nation, with a first-year Legal Method and Writing program that has stayed in the top 10 for 16 years.
- Indian Legal Program: founded in 1988 and among the most respected in the country, with deep ties to Arizona’s 22 tribes and a dedicated Indian Legal Clinic.
- Health care and environmental law: both ranked in the national top 20, supported by specialized centers and faculty.
- Sports law and business: the Allan “Bud” Selig Sports Law and Business program, named for the former MLB commissioner, is a distinctive offering.
Experiential learning runs throughout. The school operates numerous clinics where students handle real cases under faculty supervision, and around 90% of students engage in voluntary public service, reflecting the O’Connor legacy of civic responsibility. Students can also study at ASU’s centers in Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles.
Where is ASU Law School located?
ASU Law is located in the Beus Center for Law and Society on Arizona State University’s Downtown Phoenix campus, at 111 E. Taylor Street, Phoenix, Arizona. The school moved from the Tempe campus to downtown Phoenix in 2016, placing students in the heart of the city’s legal market. Additional academic sites operate in Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles.
The downtown Phoenix location is a strategic asset. It puts students steps from courts, law firms, and government offices, which supports the externships, internships, and clerkships the school encourages. The Beus Center itself has been recognized as one of the world’s most impressive law school buildings.
The multi-city footprint extends opportunity. The Barrett and O’Connor Center in Washington, D.C., opened in 2018, hosts ASU’s rule-of-law and capital-focused programs, while the Los Angeles center serves as a gateway to the California legal market. This geographic reach is unusual for a public regional school and widens where graduates can build careers.
What can you study at ASU Law School?
ASU Law offers the Juris Doctor (JD) plus a range of Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Legal Studies (MLS), and specialized master’s degrees. JD students complete 88 credit hours and can choose from more than 250 upper-level courses and over a dozen areas of expertise, from Indian law to intellectual property to sports law.
The JD is the core degree. First-year students take the standard foundational curriculum, including civil procedure, contracts, torts, property, constitutional law, criminal law, and the top-ranked legal method and writing sequence. Upper-level students then tailor their studies across more than 250 courses and can pursue concurrent degrees such as a JD/MBA or the JD/Master of Sports Law and Business. The Juris Doctor guide explains the degree in general.
The graduate and specialized programs are extensive. ASU Law offers LLM degrees, including a distinctive LLM in Tribal Policy, Law, and Government and one in Biotechnology and Genomics, along with online and on-campus master’s programs in fields such as health care compliance and human resources law. The school is No. 1 in the nation for legal master’s graduates over a recent five-year span.
How does ASU Law compare to University of Arizona Law?
ASU Law and University of Arizona Law are the two flagship public law schools in Arizona, and they rank closely. Both sit in the national top 50, both are affordable public options, and both post strong bar passage. ASU’s edge is its No. 1 legal writing program, its downtown Phoenix legal market, and its top-ranked Indian law and specialty programs.
The two schools are genuine peers. University of Arizona’s James E. Rogers College of Law in Tucson is also a respected, affordable public school with strong outcomes, and choosing between them often comes down to location, specialty fit, and the specific scholarship offer each extends.
ASU’s differentiators are concrete. Its downtown Phoenix location sits inside the state’s largest legal market, its legal writing program leads the nation, and its Indian Legal Program and sports law offerings are nationally distinctive. Applicants weighing both should compare specialty strength and location against their own goals; our overview of the University of Arizona law school covers the Tucson option in detail, and the Arizona law schools hub compares the state’s options side by side.
How do you get into ASU Law School?
To get into ASU Law, submit a strong application through LSAC with an LSAT or GRE score, a competitive GPA, a personal statement, a resume, and at least two letters of recommendation. Target an LSAT near 165 and a GPA near 3.91, apply before the deadline, and emphasize fit with ASU’s specialty programs and public-service mission.
The application is holistic. Beyond the LSAT and GPA, the admissions committee weighs your professional experience, leadership, community involvement, personal background, and career goals, so a well-rounded file can overcome a below-median number. ASU accepts either the LSAT or the GRE, which gives applicants flexibility.
Apply strategically to strengthen your odds. Submit early, because the school reviews applications on a rolling basis, and use the personal statement to show specific fit with programs such as the Indian Legal Program, health law, or sports law. Our guides on how to apply to law school and general law school requirements walk through the full process.
