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Drexel University School of Law
The Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law faculty are highly experienced professionals who lecture and demonstrate how legal principles are applied in the real world. The professors are respected scholars who regularly publish their work in prestigious law journals. They also bring a wealth of experience as practicing attorneys, representing clients in various settings.
The faculty is passionate about innovation and providing students with the best possible education. In addition to lectures and discussions, students participate in mock trials and simulate business transactions with seasoned attorneys. Outside of class, professors become valuable mentors. Future lawyers couldn't be in better hands.
Contents
History
The law school at Drexel University was founded in 2006. The dean of the law school is Daniel M. Filler. The law school is a member of the Association of American Law Schools.
Thomas R. Kline is a highly respected trial lawyer who has spent more than four decades practicing personal injury law. He is known for his work in catastrophic injury cases.
Philip Kline is a respected lawyer who has helped shape the law through his groundbreaking cases. He is a founding partner of a nationally recognized firm and has gained recognition for his exceptional advocacy skill. Kline's work has resulted in corporate, institutional, and governmental reform through the civil justice system.
Howard Kline has been recognized for his accomplishments as a lawyer, being elected to the prestigious American Law Institute in 2015 and earning many accolades, including selection as the No. 1 attorney in Pennsylvania by Super Lawyers for 15 consecutive years and inclusion in the National Law Journal’s “Winning Hall of Fame.” Kline is also past president of the Inner Circle of Advocates and has been honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Legal Intelligencer. In 2016, he received the Michael A. Musmanno Award from the Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Association.
Kline has gained national prominence for his work on behalf of victims of child sexual abuse and his advocacy against fraternity hazing. In 2015, he was named the Individual Philanthropist of the Year by the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Attorney and graduate of Albright College, Tom Kline, has had a successful career in law. He started out teaching social studies to sixth-grade students before moving on to become a practicing lawyer and then a U.S. Senator. Kline is now the head of a successful law firm and sits on the Advisory Board for his Alma Mater, Albright College. In addition, he also serves on the Executive, Academic Affairs, and Complex Transaction committees of Drexel University's Board of Trustees.
Admissions
Drexel University’s Thomas R. Kline School of Law offers a distinctive legal education that combines rigorous classroom learning with extensive experiential opportunities, including co-op placements, clinics, and advocacy programs. For 2025 admissions, the school emphasizes its commitment to preparing practice-ready graduates through a curriculum that blends theory with hands-on training, supported by strong ties to Philadelphia’s legal community and beyond. Applicants are encouraged to highlight academic achievement, professional promise, and a dedication to engaging with real-world legal challenges as part of the admissions process.Apply now.
Statistics
| Admissions Stats | ||
| Class of: | 2023-2024 | 2024-2025 |
| 25th - 50th - 75th percentile LSAT | 153 - 159 - 160 | 153 - 158 - 160 |
| 25th - 50th - 75th percentile GPA | 3.38 - 3.70 - 3.84 | 3.45 - 3.72 - 3.85 |
| Acceptance rate | 31% | 37.8% |
| Applications received | 1739 | 1868 |
| Acceptances | 594 | 706 |
| Matriculants | 142 | 159 |
For the 2024–2025 admissions cycle at Drexel University’s Thomas R. Kline School of Law, the acceptance rate rose to 37.8%, with 1,868 applications received and 706 acceptances issued, resulting in 159 matriculants. Admitted students presented LSAT scores in the 153–160 range (25th–75th percentile) and GPAs between 3.45 and 3.85, with a median GPA of 3.72. This reflects an increase in both applications and enrollment compared to the previous year, when the school received 1,739 applications, accepted 594 students, and enrolled 142.
Application Deadline
The application for the JD, Global Access JD, and LLM programs opens on August 15th. Completed applications are guaranteed a decision by January 15th. The deadline to apply for the 2-year and 3-year summer start programs is January 15th.
Application Requirements
The Drexel University School of Law application is done completely online and does not require any paper documents. You must register with the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) to apply. CAS will provide us with a report containing information important in the admission process, such as your undergraduate academic summary, transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate schools, LSAT score (if applicable), and letters of recommendation. If you have taken or taken the LSAT during the application process, you will be deemed an LSAT candidate, and your GRE score will not be considered. In an essay, discuss your motivation for attending law school and why you believe their school can help you achieve your goals.
Cost of Attendance
For the 2025–2026 academic year, the JD cost of attendance at Drexel’s Thomas R. Kline School of Law includes a flat tuition of $57,000 per year, with additional mandatory fees—such as general and program fees—bringing the direct academic charges higher. Estimated expenses also include books, supplies, personal costs, loan origination fees, food, rent, and transportation. Altogether, the total annual cost is projected to be in the mid-$70,000 range, depending on whether a student lives on-campus, off-campus, or commutes.
| Category | Estimated Cost (Year 1) |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $57,000 |
| Fees (General + Program) | $1,800 |
| Immunization Fee | $50 |
| Books | $1,346 |
| Computer & Supplies | $870 |
| Personal Expenses | $2,196 |
| Loan Origination Fee | $220 |
| Food (On-Campus) | $4,402 |
| Rent (On-Campus) | $15,210 |
| Transportation | $3,800 |
Assuming you are referring to the average cost of attendance at a university, this would be the amount of money one can expect to spend on tuition, room and board, books and supplies, transportation, and other miscellaneous expenses. This does not take into account any financial aid that may be available.
First-year students may not work more than 20 hours per week in any week during the semester in which they are taking 11 or more credit hours. Tuition and fee rates are subject to change without notice.
Financial Aid
For the entering class of 2025, Drexel University’s Thomas R. Kline School of Law offers extensive financial aid options, with the majority of students receiving merit-based scholarships. These awards, which range widely in value and are granted automatically upon admission, are renewable provided academic requirements are met. Specialized scholarships include the Rising Advocate Scholarship for strong academic performers, Courtroom Scholarships for outstanding mock trial participants, Public Interest Scholarships for students pursuing service-oriented careers, Peace Corps Coverdell Fellowships, and the DiveIN Scholarship for students with prior immersion program experience. Drexel alumni are also eligible for an annual alumni grant, with exceptional alumni considered for the Distinguished Dragon Scholarship. In addition to merit aid, federal financial aid is available through the FAFSA, covering options such as unsubsidized loans, Graduate PLUS loans, and work-study. Need-based scholarships are offered competitively, primarily to continuing students in their second and third years. Scholarship awards are typically distributed evenly across six semesters, and financial aid packages for fall-entry students are generally released in late winter, with billing following in the summer.
School of Law Merit Scholarship
The law school is dedicated to enrolling the best and brightest students. They have put significant financial resources into our merit-based scholarship program to recruit these top students. Their most prestigious scholarship, the Rising Advocate Scholarship, is given to undergraduate students who have achieved outstanding academic success. This scholarship allows a student to retain his or her award regardless of a change in GPA from year to year as long as the student remains in good academic standing. They also offer scholarships for individuals who have served in the Peace Corps or Teach for America. Students are automatically considered for these scholarships when they apply for admission; there is no separate application process. A recipient will be notified of the award at the time of his or her offer of admission.
Academics and Curriculum
Drexel offers a "co-op program," a one-semester externship program with local legal entities and government bodies organized by the school. The school also offers several clinics as part of its practical training opportunities.
The Kline School of Law is a forward-thinking, adaptive law school that embraces entrepreneurship and innovation. Their co-ops, clinics, pro bono service opportunities, and nationally ranked Trial Advocacy program offer each student an unparalleled opportunity to gain experience in the legal profession before you even graduate. This is a welcoming, inclusive, and collaborative community where students and faculty pursue their goals with passion and integrity. They invite you to learn more about their school, where they help implement your ideas.
Journals
Students at the Kline School of Law can participate in the Drexel Law Review, a student-run journal. Membership in the journal is determined solely through a write-on competition, where students are required to pass a Bluebook citation test. Even if you're at the top of your class, you must do well in the write-on competition.
Student-managed reviews are an essential part of the academic experience of law school and the legal community as a whole. The Drexel Law Review publishes scholarly articles on current and emerging legal topics. In addition to publishing articles, the Drexel Law Review hosts an annual Symposium, which serves as a forum for encouraging debate and discourse on a relevant theme.
Membership in the Drexel Law Review provides second and third-year law students with the opportunity to improve their research, editing, and writing skills. Members are responsible for strengthening the substance and style of articles before publication. They also can author a note that will be considered for publication.
Law review membership is among the most exclusive and well-recognized distinctions graduates can have on their resumes. It provides them with a valuable experience they can use in the classroom and practice.
Co-OP
Their Co-op Program provides students with the opportunity to gain experience and academic credit while working alongside practitioners from various law firms, corporate offices, government agencies, courts, and public-interest law organizations. Students have the opportunity to draft documents, conduct research, take part in meetings and depositions, interview witnesses, and gain other great experience in the legal field.
Clinics
The clinical Program allows students to work with attorneys from Philadelphia's premiere public-interest law organizations and represent clients in court, administrative hearings, or community meetings. Their Federal Litigation and Appeals Clinic allows students to represent clients in federal courts and agencies. And through their Entrepreneurial Law Clinic, students provide legal assistance to the owners of startup businesses.
Pro Bono Service
Law students at their school work extensively with underserved communities to gain experience and help provide legal assistance to those who need it most. Many students enjoy the work so much that they go above and beyond the 50 hours of service required.
Study Abroad
The law school allows you to study at a foreign law school if you gain permission from the senior associate dean for academic affairs and faculty advancement. Such study will only be authorized if it is related to the socio-legal environment of the country in which the foreign institution is located or has an international or comparative focus. It must also advance the goal of exposing the student to an alternative perspective on the role of law in society or the sources of law used to ensure the rule of law.
Law School Culture
The Kline School of Law offers JD students different options for completing their degrees in a way that best suits their needs. The traditional JD program is completed in three years, while the accelerated JD is designed for students who want to enter the workforce a year earlier. Some students get a head start by taking courses during the summer before their first semester in the three-year program. Regardless of which JD option you choose, you'll have access to opportunities to gain real-world legal experience and confidently launch your career.
Law schools want their students to be well-rounded and balance their academic and personal lives well. They offer support to help students find that balance. Students' lives involve more than just classes, exams, co-ops, and clinics. Many other activities and aspects of their lives should be considered.
Facilities
Because the law school building was only built very recently, its facilities are new. The school boasts amenities such as "a 2-story atrium and balcony area for informal meetings, receptions, and group study," "campus-wide internet access," and a two-story library with quiet study areas. The school also has several large classrooms, one of which doubles as a moot courtroom.
Faculty
Law school faculty are all skilled practitioners, scholars, and teachers. Their students don't have to choose between those things - they can have all three in one person. This provides a more well-rounded educational experience and allows our students to learn from the best of the best.
The faculty colloquia at law school bring in some of the best legal minds from all over the country to discuss cutting-edge legal issues. This is an excellent opportunity for their law students to learn about the latest law developments and network with some of the top legal minds in the country.
The students who attend their law school are a driven, entrepreneurial bunch. Some come straight from undergraduate programs, while others have years of professional work experience. They are a diverse and collaborative community of advisers and friends who get involved in student organizations and serve the local community. They have launched a special-education advocacy project, persuaded them to offer a class on Animal Law, and started the Haiti Justice Initiative. They view their students as partners in advancing and sustaining the legal community and raising the bar for legal education.
Employment Prospects
For the Class of 2024, Drexel’s outcomes were strong, with 91.1% of graduates securing full-time, long-term positions requiring bar passage or a J.D. advantage. The school was also ranked #41 on the National Law Journal’s 2025 “Go-To Law Schools” list for placing graduates into the nation’s 500 largest firms. Overall, 93.4% of Drexel graduates were employed within ten months of graduation, with 138 in bar-required positions and 18 in J.D. advantage roles—exceeding the national average employment rate of about 90.6%.
Looking ahead to the Class of 2025, national data shows that recent J.D. graduates are entering one of the strongest employment markets in history. More than 82% of new graduates nationwide secured bar-required jobs within ten months, while 87% obtained positions where a law degree was an advantage. Broader surveys reported an overall 93.4% employment rate, with 84% in bar-passage-required roles and a national median starting salary of $95,000.
That said, there are some potential challenges on the horizon. Federal hiring freezes and a slowdown in summer associate recruiting at large firms may make the job search more competitive for the Class of 2025. Even so, Drexel graduates have consistently performed above national averages, particularly in obtaining bar-required employment and positions at major law firms, suggesting strong prospects despite a shifting market.
Quality of Life
Located in the "heart and soul of Philly," Drexel offers its students a good quality of life. Its western Philadelphia campus is next to the University of Pennsylvania, which allows for a "very nice college environment right in the middle of such a large metro area." Students can enjoy an array of restaurants, museums, and bars.
If you're interested in sports, the city also provides plenty in that regard. The Philadelphia Phillies, Flyers, and 76ers are all renowned sports teams with rich histories. In your scarce free time as a law student, you should have plenty to do in the bustling city of Philadelphia.
Student housing options are numerous, and students tend to "live all over the city." One friend of two Drexel students remarked that they lived "within walking distance of the law building," but students come from areas as diverse as the "Atlantic City area, Lancaster, and Reading." Even if you don't live within walking distance of the law school, Philadelphia has public transportation options available.
Synopsis
Drexel University provides students with ample opportunities for experiential learning. This type of learning is more than just an internship; it involves a variety of experiences that helps students build skills and confidence. Graduates from Drexel University are accomplished advocates.
Contact Information
Thomas R. Kline School of Law
Office of Admissions
3320 Market Street, Suite 100
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Office Hours:
Monday through Friday
9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Phone: 215.895.1LAW (215.895.1529)
Fax: 215.571.4769
Email: lawadmissions@drexel.edu
https://drexel.edu/law/admissions/overview/
Summary
| Established | 2006 |
| Location | Philadelphia, PA |
| Dean | Daniel M. Filler |
| 2025 US News Ranking | 79th |
| LSAT Median Score | 158 |
| GPA Median Score | 3.72 |
| Bar Passage Rate | 76.8% (2025) |
| Employment Rate | 67.8% (2025) |
| Cost | $57,025 |
| Average Debt | $127,909 |
| Application Deadline | August 1, 2025 |
Forum and Discussion
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Reference
https://drexel.edu/law/
Rank #79
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