The University of Iowa College of Law

Boyd Law Building

The University of Iowa College of Law is currently ranked as the 36th best law school in the United States by U.S. News and World Report in 2025.

It is a public law school located in Iowa City, Iowa. It was established in 1865 and became the first public university college of law in the United States. The University of Iowa College of Law has produced many notable alumni, including U.S. Supreme Court Justice William Rehnquist, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, and U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley. The college offers three types of law degrees: the Juris Doctor (JD), the Master of Laws (LLM), and the Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD). It also offers several dual degree programs in conjunction with other colleges at the University of Iowa, such as the JD/MBA and JD/MA. The University of Iowa College of Law is accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA). The oldest law school in continuous operation west of the Mississippi River, and has earned itself a reputation as one of the finest law schools in the Midwest. Further, the school's location in Iowa City, one of the Midwest's better-known college towns, allows students to tackle their rigorous legal studies in a lively environment suited to academic pursuits.

History

The University of Iowa College of Law has a long and proud history. Founded in 1865, it is one of the oldest law schools in the United States. Located in Iowa City, Iowa, the school is part of the University of Iowa, a large public university. The College of Law offers Juris Doctor (JD) and Master of Laws (LLM) degrees.

The school has a strong tradition of public service, and its graduates have gone on to hold high-level positions in government, the judiciary, and private practice. Many of the school's alums have made significant contributions to the legal profession and the world. The University of Iowa College of Law is a respected institution that has educated many great lawyers and leaders.

The University of Iowa College of Law strongly commits to public service and pro bono work. The college offers several clinics, including an immigration clinic, a family law clinic, and a criminal defense clinic. The college also operates the Iowa Legal Aid Society, which provides free legal services to low-income Iowans.

Admissions

In the 2024–2025 admissions cycle (for fall 2025 entry), 1,019 applicants submitted JD applications to the University of Iowa College of Law. Of those applicants, 609 received offers of admission, resulting in an acceptance rate of approximately 59.8%. Ultimately, 182 matriculated, giving a yield (enrollment rate) of about 29.9%. The enrolling class had a median LSAT score of 162 (with a 25th–75th percentile range of 157–164) and a median undergraduate GPA of 3.76 (range 3.60–3.91). The standard May 1 deadline applied for both admissions decisions and financial aid requests.

Statistics

Based on the 2025 admissions statistics for the University of Iowa College of Law, the incoming class showed a slightly broader range of academic credentials compared to the previous year. For the Class of 2024–2025, LSAT scores fell within the 25th to 75th percentile range of 157 to 164, slightly lower on the lower end than the previous cycle. The GPA range was 3.60 to 3.91, showing a modest increase at the top percentile. The law school received 1,019 applications, out of which 609 applicants were accepted, resulting in an acceptance rate of 59.8%—a noticeable increase from the previous year’s 41.3%. Ultimately, 182 students enrolled, a growth from 153 in the prior cycle. These figures suggest a more competitive yield, an expanding class size, and a law school maintaining strong academic standards while increasing accessibility.

Admissions Stats
Class of:	2023-2024	2024-2025
25th - 50th - 75th percentile LSAT	160 - 163 - 165	157 - 162 - 164
25th - 50th - 75th percentile GPA	3.54 - 3.76 - 3.88	3.6 - 3.76 - 3.91
Acceptance rate	41.3%	59.8%
Applications received	1377	1019
Acceptances	657	609
Matriculants	153	182

Acceptance Rate

In the 2025 admissions cycle, the University of Iowa College of Law had an acceptance rate of 59.8%, marking a significant increase from the previous year’s 41.3%. Out of 1,019 total applicants, 609 were offered admission, indicating a broader approach to admissions and possibly reflecting strategic goals to expand class size or diversify the student body. This shift resulted in 182 students ultimately matriculating, suggesting a healthy yield rate and consistent interest in the institution despite the higher acceptance threshold. The increase in acceptance rate may also suggest changes in recruitment strategy, applicant pool dynamics, or evolving enrollment targets for the law school.

Application Fee

To make the JD application process as easy as possible, the University of Iowa College of Law has waived the application fee this year for the three-year program. This means you will allow the school to learn more about you and your achievements by applying free of charge. Additionally, waiving the fee sets the stage for you to learn more about the school as you work through your decision-making process. It won’t cost you anything to apply, and doing so could very well set a process that transforms your life in motion. To learn more about obtaining a fee waiver, click here.

Credential Assembly Service (CAS, LSAC)

The College of Law participates in the Credential Assembly Services (CAS) and requires its prospective students to register for this service through the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC). LSAC exists to serve both the law schools and the candidates for admission.

LSAT

All applicants must take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) administered by LSAC no later than June of the year they are applying. Please remember that Iowa is on a rolling admission, so early applications are highly encouraged.

Letter of Recommendation

The College of Law requires applicants to submit at least two letters of recommendation. Recommendations from professors or others who can comment on your critical thinking, writing skills, and potential for success in law school are particularly welcome. The College participates in the letter of recommendation service offered by LSAC as part of the CAS subscription. For additional advice on obtaining letters of recommendation, click here.

Transcript

For the CAS report, applicants are responsible for submitting an official transcript to LSAC from each college or university they have attended. In addition, every applicant who accepts admission to Iowa Law must file official transcripts showing the conferral of a degree with the University's Office of Admissions.

Personal Statement

A personal statement is required for all applicants. The application form (which can be found on the website) contains complete instructions regarding the personal statement. The personal statement should be two to three pages in length and address the following topics:

- Why you wish to study law - Why you want to study at the University of Iowa - What has been your most significant accomplishment - How you would contribute to our law school community and the legal profession - Describe any life experiences that indicate your drive, determination, motivation, and leadership characteristics.

The personal statement is an important part of the application as it allows the applicant to explain more about themselves and their motivations for wanting to study law. This also allows the admissions committee to get to know the applicant better as a person, something that is highly valued at the University of Iowa College of Law.

By addressing the topics above, applicants can give the admissions committee a better understanding of who they are and what drives them. It is encouraged for applicants to be creative and honest in their responses, using this as an opportunity to let their personality shine through. For personal statements and application essays, check out the TLS Guide to Personal Statements.

Tuition and Financial Support

For the 2025–26 academic year, full-time Juris Doctor tuition at the University of Iowa College of Law is set at $30,944 for Iowa residents and $52,191 for non-residents. Mandatory fees add $2,545, bringing the total charged tuition and fees to $33,489 for residents and $54,736 for non-residents. When factoring in living expenses—such as housing and food (approximately $19,383), books (around $1,800), transportation (about $1,404), and personal costs (roughly $3,549)—the estimated total cost of attendance rises to about $59,625 for residents and $80,872 for non-residents.

Cost of Attendance

For the 2025–2026 academic year, the total cost of attendance at the University of Iowa College of Law varies significantly based on residency status. Iowa residents can expect to pay approximately $59,625, while non-residents face an estimated cost of $80,872. These totals include tuition, mandatory fees, and estimated living expenses. Specifically, tuition for residents is $30,944, and for non-residents, $52,191. Additional mandatory fees of $2,545 apply to all students. Estimated living costs include $19,383 for housing and food, $1,800 for books and supplies, $1,404 for transportation, and $3,549 for personal expenses. These figures represent the standard budget used for financial aid purposes and help students and families plan comprehensively for the academic year.

**2025–2026 University of Iowa College of Law Cost of Attendance**
Category	Resident	Non-Resident
Tuition	$30,944	$52,191
Mandatory Fees	$2,545	$2,545
Housing & Food	$19,383	$19,383
Books & Supplies	$1,800	$1,800
Transportation	$1,404	$1,404
Personal Expenses	$3,549	$3,549
Total	$59,625	$80,872

Scholarships and Fellowships

The University of Iowa College of Law offers scholarships for those admitted into the JD program. All US citizens and permanent residents admitted as first-year students must participate in a scholarship interview to be considered for these scholarships. Notifying whether or not you have received a scholarship will be sent via email and letter after the interview.

Merit Tuition Scholarships

The University of Iowa College of Law offers scholarships based on academic achievement. To be eligible for renewal of the scholarship for the second and third year, the recipient must maintain good academic and professional standing at the university. Good academic standing is a cumulative grade point average of 2.1 or above. Good professional standing requires that the student behaves ethically and responsibly by university and law school policies and all local, state, and federal laws. For complete details, see https://dos.uiowa.edu/policies/code-of-student-life/.

Iowa Law School Foundation Scholarships

The University of Iowa College of Law is fortunate to have a scholarship program supported by the generosity of alumni and friends through the Iowa Law School Foundation. Scholarships provide crucial financial assistance to law students, and they are grateful for the donors who make them possible. During the academic year, they will provide more information about the people and funds behind your scholarship. You will be asked to write a letter of thanks to the donors responsible for your scholarship. They will work with you to coordinate that effort during your time at Iowa Law. Thank you for your interest in and support of the University of Iowa College of Law.

Law Opportunity Tuition Fellowships

The University of Iowa College of Law is committed to providing opportunities for legal careers to persons historically underrepresented in the legal profession. The University established the Law Opportunity Tuition Fellowship Program to provide access to law school for such individuals. The criteria for awarding the fellowships are educationally and socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds and academic merit. Renewal for the second and third years requires that the fellowship recipient remains in good academic and professional standing at the College of Law. Good academic standing requires a cumulative grade point average of 2.1 or above. Good professional standing requires ethical and responsible conduct as a member of the law school community, following University and law school policies, including compliance with all local, state, and federal laws. The fellowship provides access to law school for those who may not have had the opportunity to attend otherwise. Fellows must maintain good standing to continue receiving the benefits of the program. Fellowships are awarded based on criteria such as disadvantaged backgrounds or academic merit. To keep receiving the fellowship, recipients must follow University and law school policies. These policies are in place to ensure that fellows are conducting themselves ethically and responsibly. Compliance with local, state, and federal laws is also required. For complete details, see https://dos.uiowa.edu/policies/code-of-student-life/.

Outside Scholarships

ABA Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fund The scholarship fund will award $5,000 of financial assistance annually to each scholarship recipient attending an ABA-accredited law school. Twenty awards will be made to first-year students and may be renewable for two additional years, resulting in financial assistance totaling $15,000 during each student's time in law school. For more information and to apply, visit ABA Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fund.

Academics & Curriculum

The University of Iowa Law School enjoys an excellent academic reputation in the Midwest and prides itself on the "student-centered" nature of its academics. The school lives up to this title with small classes and accessible faculty and allows students to explore interdisciplinary topics in their second and third years. Iowa also tends to first-year students by ensuring that at least one class per semester consists of 30 or fewer students. Also, after passing standard first-year requirements, Iowa students can choose from over 200 course titles to complete their legal education.

Although the school's curriculum is solid across the board, Iowa's international law program is especially reputable throughout the Midwest and beyond. More than one-third of the school's faculty members teach courses or conduct research in international law. The school provides students with study-abroad opportunities in London, France, and Germany. To further accommodate those students wishing to take their law education across borders, Iowa allows its students to receive credit for participating in study-abroad programs hosted by other ABA-approved law schools.

Law School Culture

The first year of the Iowa Law program provides a personal connection and attention to develop a strong intellectual foundation for legal thinking and writing. With a low student-faculty ratio, Law school professors take pride in modeling the kind of highly collaborative, rigorously professional behavior that prepares you to serve as a counselor to their clients. You’ll also get intensive, individualized instruction from their legal writing faculty—Iowa is one of the few law schools in the nation with a full-time faculty dedicated solely to your growth as a legal writer.

First Year (1L)

The University of Iowa College of Law has a model for the structure of the 1L courses that groups common law classes together for the first semester and legislative law classes together in the second semester. The classes you will take during your first year at Iowa Law will focus on the doctrinal courses that every 1L student takes in the United States. This includes Contracts, Torts, and Property Law during the Fall semester, then Civil Procedure, Criminal Law, and Constitutional Law in the Spring. Students will also take Legal Analysis, Writing & Research during both semesters and will have the opportunity to take an elective course during the Spring. This model aims to provide students with a solid foundation in both the common law and legislative law so that they can be prepared to practice law in any area.

Journals

The University of Iowa College of Law places great importance on its students. Seven student-run programs help train them in various professional skills. In addition, there are over 20 recognized student organizations within the law school. These organizations improve the opportunities available to students and organize volunteer projects to give back to the community.

Iowa is pleased to be home to four student-edited journals. A majority of Iowa students write for a journal during their second year of law school and many of them accept board positions during their third year.

Clinical Law Program

In the Law Clinic at Iowa Law, students act as attorneys, not interns. They learn necessary skills that cut across practice areas, from client interviewing and case theory development to cultural competence and resilience. Students are primarily responsible for representing their clients at all stages of the legal process and learn to use and trust their legal judgment.

The Law Clinic functions like a single law firm with six distinct practice groups: Federal Criminal Defense, Civil & Employment Litigation, Estate Planning, Law & Policy in Action, Immigration, and the Community Empowerment Law Project. The Legal Clinic is unique in that students can choose to focus on one area of law or explore different interests by participating in two practice groups.

Quality of Life

Especially for those wary of big-city life, Iowa City is an idyllic college town and promises to provide a high quality of life. Because Iowa City largely revolves around the University of Iowa, students typically find the city both a serene setting to study and a lively place to unwind and momentarily escape schoolwork. Housing in Iowa City is ample and cheap, traffic and parking problems are almost non-existent, and safety is rarely an issue. Like other college towns, Iowa City's nightlife is dominated by college students, and there are plenty of clubs, bars and restaurants to choose from. Also, much of the University of Iowa's social scene during the fall semester revolves around the school's football team, providing law students the opportunity to tailgate before football games and to generally enjoy the raucous atmosphere of Big Ten football. In sum, Iowa City promises to be a great and inexpensive place to attend law school and should add to the luster of the University of Iowa Law School.

Employment Prospects & Bar Passage

In 2024, the University of Iowa College of Law reported exceptional outcomes for its graduating class. Out of 137 graduates, 98.5% secured employment within ten months of graduation. Specifically, 130 graduates obtained full-time, long-term positions, while 5 were employed part-time. Notably, 119 graduates entered positions requiring bar passage, and approximately 15 secured J.D.-advantage roles—positions that benefit from legal training but do not require bar admission. On the bar passage front, 53 out of 54 first-time takers passed the Iowa Bar Exam in July 2024, reflecting an impressive 98% bar passage rate. These figures underscore the law school’s strong academic preparation and commitment to student success in both licensure and career placement.

**Employment & Bar Passage: University of Iowa College of Law (2024 Graduates, reported 2025)**
Metric	Outcome
Total Graduates	137
Employed within 10 months	98.5 % (135 of 137)
Full‑time, long‑term employment	~94.9 % (130 graduates)
Bar passage required jobs	119 graduates
J.D.‑advantage jobs	~15 graduates
First‑time bar passage rate (July 2024 Iowa exam)	98 % (53 of 54)

Synopsis

For those interested in studying and working in the Midwest, the University of Iowa College of Law is an excellent place to attend law school. The school's student-centered academics ensure that each student can tailor the legal education to his or her unique interests, while its location in Iowa City ensures that students can pursue this legal education in a setting that is both serene and lively. With excellent job prospects in the major Midwestern markets, the school also makes sure that students are able to get the most out of their law education after graduation.

Contact Information

University of Iowa College of Law
320 Melrose Avenue
Iowa City, IA 52242
Phone: (319) 335-9095 or 1-800-553-4692 ext. 9095.

Email: law-admissions@uiowa.edu
https://law.uiowa.edu/admissions/contact-us

Summary

Established	1865
Location	Iowa City, IA
Dean	Todd Pettys
2025 US News Ranking	36th
LSAT Median Score	163
GPA Median Score	3.76
Bar Passage Rate	88.2% (2025)
Employment Rate	78.4% (2025)
Cost	"$32,512 (in-state, full-time), $53,759 (out-of-state, full-time)"
Average Debt	$90,031
Application Deadline	May, 1 2025

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Reference

https://law.uiowa.edu/
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