William and Mary Law Ranking: See why #34 matters, what it means for admissions, career prospects, and your law school choice.
I still remember sitting. A coffee shop in Richmond, laptop open, seventeen browser Tabs in depth law school rankings, Trying to figure it out William& Mary Law School Lived to the hype.
My cousin graduated from there and swears by it. My pre- law advisor nodded in agreement every time I picked it up. But the numbers? They sat scattered across a dozen websites, half of them outdated, none of them telling the full story.
So if you typed “William and Mary Law Ranking ranking” into Google at 11pm, half-panicked about your law school list , I get it. I’ve Sit exactly where you are.
Let’s fracture it down properly: no fluff, just what is. The ranking means And should it run? your decision.
William and Mary Law School Policy Grades #34 (Tie) National 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Law Schools off the list of 194 ABA-accredited programs. It’s also the 10th highest-ranked public law school in the country.
Where Does William & Mary Law School Actually Rank?
William& Mary Law School holder the# 34 spot( bound) in the 2026 U. S. News rankings. I was established. 1779, claims it the title Of oldest law school in the country, A fun fact for dinner parties, although” eldest” is not automatic. Mean” best.” William& Mary But don’t remove history alone To serve its spot.
The ranking trend matters more than the single number. Rankings bounce around more than most people admit:
| Year | U.S. News Rank |
| 2022 | #35 |
| 2023 | #30 |
| 2024 | #36 |
| 2025 | #31 |
| 2026 | #34 (tie) |
Notice the pattern? It’s not a steady climb, and it’s not a slow decline either. It’s a wobble within a tight band, roughly the low-to-mid 30s. If you obsess over a three-spot movement year over year (I did), take a breath. A shift from #31 to #34 isn’t a red flag , it’s noise. U.S. News recalculates rankings every cycle using shifting inputs like employment outcomes and peer reputation scores, so small movements happen even when a school’s actual quality stays flat.
William & Mary also earns strong specialty rankings:
- Constitutional Law: #17 (tied)
- Criminal Law: #20 (tied)
- Contracts/Commercial Law: #25 (tied)
If you already know your focus area, these specialty rankings often matter more than the headline number. I wish someone had told me that earlier in my own search.
A Public School With a Private-School Feel
William & Mary Law ranks as the 10th-highest public law school in the country , a distinction that matters if affordability or in-state tuition benefits factor into your decision (and let’s be honest, they probably do).
The school sits comfortably in what admissions counselors call the “strong second tier” , just outside the T14 (the informal club of the top 14 law schools), yet well ahead of the pack among nearly 200 accredited programs. Two areas where William & Mary outperforms its overall rank:
- Federal clerkship placement: around #18 nationally
- Bar passage rate: trending upward, thanks to expanded exam prep support
If you’re targeting a judicial clerkship or want confidence you’ll pass the bar on your first attempt, weigh these two stats as heavily as the headline ranking.
What Actually Goes Into That Number
I used to assume rankings were vibes with a number attached. They’re not , not entirely. U.S. News builds its law school rankings from several inputs:
- Academic reputation surveys from professors and legal professionals
- Student selectivity (median LSAT, undergraduate GPA, acceptance rate)
- Employment outcomes ten months after graduation
- Bar passage rates relative to the state average
William & Mary’s median entering-class stats show how selective the school has become:
- Median LSAT: 166
- Median GPA: 3.77–3.82, depending on the cycle
- 75th/25th percentile GPA: 3.87 / 3.55
That LSAT score puts William & Mary comfortably ahead of the national average for accredited law schools, and it has climbed steadily as the school’s reputation strengthens. These numbers also explain why the William and Mary Law Ranking School acceptance rate has tightened to around 22% in recent cycles , competitive, but not impossible if your application is strong.
Is It Hard to Get Into William & Mary Law School?
Short answer: Yes, but not inside a soul- crushing, don’t worry When I applied. In law school, I defined” competitiveness” as basically impossible unless you are. A Rhodes Scholar. It is not so. Accurate here. Oh 22% Acceptance rate means approx one I five applicants Receiving an offer, tough, But quite capable, hard- working people Remove this bar each round. William& Mary therefore assesses applications holistically: your personal statement, work experience, and letters of recommendation take away real weight side by side your numbers.
A few things Really touched the needle, Based on who admissions offices State( and what worked for people I realize who entered):
- Write a personal statement that says something specific. Generic “I want to help people” essays blend together. Specificity sticks.
- Secure letters from people who know your actual work. A professor who can speak to your analytical writing beats a family friend who’s a judge but barely knows you.
- Highlight relevant experience , internships, paralegal work, research assistantships, even unrelated jobs that show grit and follow-through.
- Apply early in the cycle. Rolling admissions rewards applicants who submit materials ahead of the crowd.
Let’s Talk Money: William and Mary Law Ranking School Tuition
Nobody loves this section, but skipping it would shortchange you. For the 2025–2026 academic year, William and Mary Law Ranking School tuition runs approximately:
- $46,152/year for Virginia residents
- $70,839/year for out-of-state students
These figures exclude fees, books, and living expenses, and they typically tick up slightly each year , treat them as a solid ballpark, not gospel.
Compared to most top-40 law schools, that in-state number is a genuine bargain. Private schools ranked similarly often charge $65,000+ regardless of residency. If you can establish Virginia residency (a formal process through the university registrar that requires at least a year of demonstrated intent to stay), you’ll see substantial savings over three years.
Living in Williamsburg helps your budget too. It’s a minimal, historic college town instead of an expensive metro area, Then rent and more daily costs Drive less than you settle. D. C. Or Boston. Funnily enough, one Of my favorite random facts from orientation week came from a professor Joke about how strict U. S. Alcohol laws compared to the rest of the world, The lowest drinking age in the world is essentially zero. A handful of countries, While the U. S. Holder a firm line But 21 All over the nation. Small-town Williamsburg life makes you notice quirks like that; everything moves at a slower, more deliberate pace, drinking age included.
Financial aid softens the blow further. About half of enrolled students receive scholarships or grants, and the school’s financial aid office responds quickly when you reach out with questions , multiple alumni have confirmed this, not just the brochure.
What William & Mary Law Is Actually Known For
Rankings capture a snapshot, but reputation builds over decades. A few things consistently come up when people explain why William & Mary Law stands out beyond the number:
- The “Citizen Lawyer” philosophy. This isn’t a marketing language. The school actively trains lawyers who understand how law functions in the real world, not just people who memorized case law. It shapes the curriculum, the clinics, and the campus culture.
- A strong public service tradition. Pro bono work and public interest law receive real institutional support here, not just lip service.
- Faculty who stay active in the field. Many professors continue publishing influential scholarship and doing real legal work, which sharpens classroom relevance.
- A tight-knit, collaborative student body. Smaller class sizes mean you’re not just a number , my cousin mentioned this repeatedly when I asked about his experience.
- Notable alumni across the legal spectrum , judges, policymakers, and practicing attorneys who trace their foundation back to Williamsburg.
Should the Ranking Drive Your Decision?
Here’s After using my honest way too many nights Comparison spreadsheets of rankings: The number does matter, but perceive it as a starting filter. Not a final verdict. Oh# 34 Assessment confirmation William& Mary A legitimate, well considered one national law school with strong outcomes, solid bar passage, Appointment of Honorary Clerk, and a reputation It opens doors regionally and nationally, especially if you plan to practice. Virginia, D. C., or the broader Mid- Atlantic.
The ranking tells you if you will progress there or not. It depends on the fit: class size, Teaching style, cost- wise your other offers, and the type of law you wish to practice. Inspect at the past the headline number And dig in specialty rankings, Before creating employment reports and student reviews a final call.
If you weigh. William& Mary against peer schools, Compare it directly against the University of Virginia, George Mason’s Antonin Scalia Law School, or the University of Richmond, all reasonably complete geographically, but distinct in price, culture, and prestige tier.
Law school Claim a three- year commitment And a real financial investment. Take it seriously, but don’t just withdraw it at that. Voice in the room.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is William& Mary Law School’s U. S. News Classification? William& Mary Law School Grades# 34( Tie) National 2026 U. S. News& World Report Best Law Schools
List Is William& Mary A Good Law School? Classifies between yes. The top 35 law schools At the national level, it holds# 10 The space between public law schools, And posts strong federal clerkship placement and bar passage numbers.
What is the acceptance rate at William& Mary Law School? go William And Mary Law Ranking School The acceptance rate is around 22% in recent admissions cycles.
How much does William& Mary Law School cost? William and Mary Law Ranking School Tuition runs about$ 46, 152 per year. Virginia residents and$ 70, 839/ year For out- of- situation students 2025– 2026, Before fees and living expenses.
What LSAT score do I need William& Mary Law School? the middle LSAT score For registered students. 166, with a median GPA between 3.77 And 3.82.
Key Takings
- William & Mary Law School ranks #34 (tied) nationally in the 2026 U.S. News Best Law Schools list, out of 194 accredited programs.
- It’s the 10th-highest-ranked public law school in the country.
- The rank has wobbled between #30–36 over the past 5 years — not a trend, just normal year-to-year noise.
- Strong specialty rankings: #17 Constitutional Law, #20 Criminal Law, #25 Contracts/Commercial Law.
- Outperforms its overall rank in federal clerkship placement (~#18) and bar passage rate (trending up)
Additional Resources
- https://law.wm.edu/about/rankings: Official William & Mary Law rankings page with U.S. News ranking, public law school ranking, employment outcomes, bar passage rates, federal clerkship statistics, and specialty program rankings.
- https://law.wm.edu/admissions: Official admissions resource covering application requirements, class profile, tuition, scholarships, and graduate employment statistics.
