California Western School of Law

California Western School of Law, which positions itself as "what law school ought to be," was founded in 1924 and ABA-accredited in 1962. Located in San Diego, the school began as a division of California Western University, which has since changed its name to the United States International University, and from which the School of Law separated in 1975.

The school hopes to join the University of California system by becoming part of the University of California at San Diego; in 2010 the two schools formed a joint committee to discuss the possibility of UCSD acquiring California Western.

Admissions

At California Western School of Law, they have a team of admissions professionals ready to assist you throughout your journey from application to enrollment. Their staff is committed to providing detailed information about their academic program, including various hands-on experiences to help deepen your understanding. They also offer numerous resources that can be accessed both in-person and online, such as our Career Services Department, which is dedicated to helping you get placed in the job of your dreams after graduation. If you're unsure about applying to law school or just beginning the application process, please take the time to read some of the excellent pre-law articles found here.

Statistics

Admissions Stats
Class of:	2023-2024	2024-2025
25th - 50th - 75th percentile LSAT	150-153-156	151-153-157
25th - 50th - 75th percentile GPA	3.11-3.38-3.57	3.07-3.39-3.6
Acceptance rate	49.3%	55.3%
Applications received	1645	1792
Acceptances	911	991
Matriculants	207	257

California Western School of Law’s 2025 admissions profile shows a modest rise in both applicant volume and incoming class strength. For the 2024–2025 cycle, the school received 1,792 applications, up from 1,645 the previous year. The acceptance rate increased from 49.3 percent to 55.3 percent, meaning a larger share of applicants were offered admission. LSAT scores for the middle 50 percent of admitted students shifted slightly upward on the high end, moving from 150–153–156 to 151–153–157. GPA ranges also adjusted, landing at 3.07–3.39–3.6 for the incoming class. These numbers suggest that while the applicant pool grew, the academic profile of admitted students stayed competitive.

Matriculation numbers also rose meaningfully. The 2024–2025 class brought in 257 new students compared to 207 the previous year. With higher acceptances and more matriculants, California Western is trending toward larger incoming classes while maintaining steady academic benchmarks. The combination of increased applications, slightly stronger LSAT percentiles, and higher enrollment shows the school continuing to attract interest from prospective law students while expanding its first-year cohort.

Application Deadline

California Western School of Law’s application deadline for the 2025 admissions cycle is July 31 for regular JD applicants. The school follows a rolling admissions process, which means applications are reviewed as they’re completed, and decisions are issued throughout the cycle rather than on a single release date. Applying earlier in the cycle can offer applicants a stronger chance at admission and access to more available seats, but the final date to submit all required materials remains July 31.

Electronic Application

Visiting LSAC.org is the perfect way to complete your California Western School of Law application. On their website, you will be able to navigate the electronic application process with ease. This is a great way to quickly and efficiently get your application into the hands of those who can help you begin the journey toward admission.

Credential Assembly Service Report

California Western School of Law requires applicants to submit a Credential Assembly Service (CAS) report as part of their admission process. This report must include valid LSAT scores (if applicable), all post-secondary transcripts, two letters of recommendation, and more. For applicants with undergraduate degrees completed within the United States, their bachelor's degree must have been awarded by an institution that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, and their transcript must show either completion of the bachelor's degree or projected degree completion before law school enrollment. For applicants with undergraduate degrees completed outside the United States, their bachelor's degree must have been awarded by an institution equivalent to that of institutions accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Your CAS report should accurately reflect all academic, professional, and other relevant background information for consideration in your application. California Western School of Law will use the report to assess your credentials for admission. It is essential to submit all relevant information promptly to avoid processing delays.

Supplemental Documentation

The California Western School of Law application requires several documents and the primary forms and materials to be considered. These include a personal statement that speaks to your qualifications and reasons for applying, a resume outlining your academic and professional experiences, any addenda deemed relevant by the admissions committee, and, if applicable, a GRE score report. The GRE is only required for applicants with no valid LSAT score.

It is important to note that, in addition to these supplemental documents, all transcripts must be sent directly from the institution attended before submission of your application. Your application will be considered complete once all such materials have been received and processed.

It is essential to ensure that all of these documents are up-to-date and accurately reflect your qualifications for the admissions committee to have a complete understanding of your candidacy. Reviewing their supplemental materials will help provide a complete and accurate portrait of who you are and why you should be admitted to California Western School of Law.

Cost of Attendance

California Western School of Law’s 2025 cost of attendance reflects the full financial commitment students can expect during one academic year, including tuition, fees, housing, books, transportation, and personal expenses. While tuition typically makes up the largest portion of the total cost, living expenses in San Diego also play a significant role. The school structures its estimated budget so students can plan realistically for both academic and day-to-day costs while pursuing their JD degree. These figures help students understand the financial responsibility tied to their program and allow them to plan for loans, savings, or scholarships accordingly.

The overall 2025 cost of attendance is designed to cover essential needs without assuming excessive or unnecessary spending. This budget includes estimated costs related to rent, food, academic materials, transportation, and health insurance. Although the exact figures may vary slightly based on personal lifestyle, the school’s estimates give students a baseline for financial planning. Understanding this breakdown early helps applicants and enrolled students prepare for the full academic year and avoid unexpected financial strain.

2025 Cost of Attendance Breakdown

Category	Estimated Cost 2025
Tuition	$58,350
Fees	$1,150
Books and Supplies	$1,500
Housing and Food	$23,000
Transportation	$2,400
Personal Expenses	$3,200
Health Insurance	$2,800
Total Estimated Cost of Attendance	$92,400

Financial Aid

California Western School of Law provides financial aid award packages to students to enable them to concentrate on their legal studies without worrying about the expenses involved. The team is dedicated to helping you understand the variety of options available, such as scholarships, loans, and student employment opportunities. They will work with you to find a suitable package that fits your needs and requirements. With their aid, you can decide how to finance your legal education without compromising your future goals. At California Western, they strive to ensure that all students have the opportunity to further their studies in law, regardless of financial constraints. Through their comprehensive financial aid program, they will help you maximize your potential and achieve your dreams.

They understand that pursuing a legal career can be financially demanding, so they are committed to providing you with reliable and affordable financial soluations that will enable you to pursue your studies without any worries. Their knowledgeable staff will assist you in learning more about the different aid packages available and help you evaluate each option carefully. They are dedicated to providing you with the highest quality education, and they want to ensure that your financial burden is minimized.

California Western School of Law aims to empower students by providing them with the resources they need to excel in their chosen fields. Their comprehensive financial aid program is designed to ensure that all their students receive the support they need to succeed. With their help, you can decide how to finance your legal education and move closer to reaching your goals.

Academics

Full-time students have a 14-credit load for each of their two 1L trimesters. The curriculum is predetermined and includes two semesters each of Contracts, Property, Civil Procedure, and a 2-credit class called Legal Skills, one semester of Criminal Law, and one semester of Torts. During their 2L and 3L years, students are required to take Evidence, Criminal Procedure, Constitutional Law, Professional Responsibility, a second semester of Torts, and a Legal Scholarship Training Seminar, which introduces students to the skills they will need to complete the school's academic writing requirement (a trimester-long class, taken at the same time as the Legal Scholarship Training Seminar, during which students write a scholarly paper).

California Western offers seven "areas of concentration" in the J.D. program: Business Law, Child, Family, and Elder Law; Creative Problem Solving; Criminal Justice Program; Health Law and Policy; Intellectual Property, Telecommunications, and Technology Regulation; International Law; and Labor and Employment Law. Although they do not result in any special certificate or qualification, these areas of concentration allow a student to focus his/her studies on an area of interest to him/her. S/he is also required to write his/her scholarly paper on the topic and complete at least 280 hours of an internship.

Besides areas of concentration, California Western offers several exceptional academic and co-curricular programs, including internships, the California Innocence Project, and study abroad opportunities in Ireland, England, Scotland, Malta, the Czech Republic, Denmark, the Netherlands, France, Mexico, and New Zealand. The school also houses several institutes and centers, such as the Center for Creative Problem Solving, the Institute for Criminal Defense Advocacy, and the Institute for Health Law Studies. Additionally, the school offers four dual-degree programs in conjunction with other area universities: a J.D./Master's in Health Law and J.D./Ph.D. programs in history and political science with the University of California at San Diego, and J.D./Masters in Social Work and J.D./M.B.A. programs with San Diego State University.

Experimental Learning

At California Western School of Law, they are dedicated to providing their students with the best possible educational opportunities to prepare them for successful legal careers. Their experiential learning program offers several opportunities for students to gain real-world experience in law practice. Through these programs, students can work on actual cases and develop problem-solving skills in a safe and supportive environment.

At California Western School of Law, they believe experiential learning is essential for law students to become effective and successful lawyers. These programs will provide their students with invaluable experience and prepare them for future careers as attorneys. Their experiential learning program will equip their students with the skills and knowledge they need to become successful legal professionals.

CLinics

At California Western School of Law, their students receive an education that equips them with the necessary knowledge, skills, and values to become successful attorneys. They provide a well-structured JD curriculum supplemented by their various clinics. Through these clinical courses, their students gain hands-on experience and get to work with real clients and cases.

Clinics offered at California Western School of Law include the Appellate Moot Court Clinic, Civil Justice Clinic, Externship Program, Immigration Clinic, Innocence Project West Clinic, International Human Rights Clinic, Low Income Taxpayers-Clinic, Public Advocacy Dispute Resolution (PADR) Clinic, and the Wills & Trusts Clinic.

In each of these clinics, their students are actively involved in legal representation for confirmed cases and clients. They gain valuable experience working on complex legal matters with experienced attorneys as their mentors. This ensures that their graduates are well-prepared to handle challenging cases on their own when they enter the professional world.

At California Western School of Law, their clinics provide an excellent opportunity for students to apply their legal knowledge in a real-world setting and gain invaluable experience that will benefit them throughout their professional lives. The attorneys they work with are knowledgeable, experienced professionals who have dedicated their time to mentoring our students and helping them become successful lawyers.

At California Western, they strive to equip their students with the necessary skills and experience to start their legal careers. Their clinics provide an invaluable opportunity for their students to gain practical experience and use their class knowledge to work on real cases. They are proud to provide the best education for their future attorneys.

Externships

At California Western School of Law, they are dedicated to providing their students with the best possible educational opportunities to prepare them for successful legal careers. Their experiential learning program offers several opportunities for students to gain real-world experience in law practice. Through these programs, students can work on actual cases and develop problem-solving skills in a safe and supportive environment.

Their externship program offers students the chance to work with legal professionals at courtrooms, state agencies, law firms, government offices, and non-profit organizations. Their clinic program allows students to provide accurate legal assistance to clients under the supervision of trained faculty lawyers. They also offer several simulation courses, which allow students to take on the role of an attorney in a simulated courtroom or negotiation setting.

At California Western School of Law, we believe experiential learning is essential for law students to become effective and successful lawyers. These programs will provide our students with invaluable experience and prepare them for future careers as attorneys. Our experiential learning program will equip our students with the skills and knowledge they need to become successful legal professionals.

Employment Prospects & Bar Passage

California Western School of Law’s 2025 employment prospects reflect a job market that offers steady but regionally focused opportunities. Recent graduate data shows that roughly 82 percent of students secure employment within ten months of graduation, with most positions falling outside of large national law firms. Instead, graduates typically find roles in small to midsize private firms, government agencies, public interest organizations, and business or industry settings. These paths often offer meaningful client interaction and hands-on experience, but they may come with more modest starting salaries compared to highly competitive large-firm positions.

A closer look at employment distribution shows that a significant portion of graduates enter small regional firms, with others moving into public service, nonprofit legal roles, compliance positions, or state and local government work. Only a small number of graduates obtain federal clerkships or large-firm roles. This distribution mirrors the employment landscape of many regional law schools, where the local market and employer network strongly shape outcomes. With the national legal job market trending upward in recent years, CWSL graduates may still benefit from broader hiring momentum, even if top-tier opportunities remain limited.

Bar passage remains a more challenging area for California Western. Recent first-time bar exam results have shown a pass rate under 50 percent, which is considerably lower than both the statewide average for California ABA-accredited schools and the national average. This trend has been consistent in recent years, with pass rates gradually declining, signaling the need for stronger preparation strategies and academic support. For students who do not pass on their first attempt, California Western offers bar preparation programs and resources, but the lower overall rate means graduates should plan early and take advantage of every available support system. Understanding this pattern helps future applicants realistically assess the time, effort, and preparation required to succeed on the California bar exam.

Quality of Life

California Western School of Law is a top-ranked institution in San Diego, California. The city enjoys an enviable climate with near-perfect temperatures year-round and plenty of sunshine - making it an excellent location for outdoor activities and recreation. Plus, the Mexican state of Baja, California, is just a 20-minute drive away!

The law school offers a rigorous and comprehensive legal education, with classes focusing on civil litigation, public interest law, intellectual property rights, and more. In addition to its JD (Juris Doctor) program, the school offers experiential learning opportunities through advanced practical courses such as trial advocacy and mediation.

California Western School of Law is located downtown, making it convenient for students to explore the city. However, its proximity to amenities comes with a price tag, as apartments nearby usually cost more than $1000 per month. Owning a car would be helpful to make life easier and more affordable. The trolley system serves downtown San Diego and the surrounding areas but is less comprehensive than the public transport systems in major East Coast cities. A car would make recreation, travel, and employment much more manageable.

Ultimately, California Western School of Law offers an excellent legal education for ambitious students who want to pursue a career in law - all while enjoying the beauty of San Diego! With its near-perfect climate, exciting attractions, and accessible public transportation - there's something for everyone in this vibrant city. The California Western School of Law will provide students with the skills they need to become successful lawyers.

Synopsis

California Western's 1L grading and academic policies make it a risky investment for candidates who are not absolutely confident in their ability to do well or who would have trouble paying back a year's worth of loans if they did not make it back for a second year. Furthermore, the school's employment statistics indicate that students may have trouble finding employment with large or mid-sized firms and that the degree may not be very portable. Finally, its less-than-stellar bar passage rate, though perhaps partially a reflection of the student body, does not inspire confidence in its commitment to propelling students into successful careers. However, for students who plan to live and work in the San Diego area, and who receive significant financial aid or are comfortable in their ability to pay back large loans on the level of salary they can realistically expect based on employment data from past classes, California Western can be a logical choice.

Contact Information

Administration Building, First Floor
225 Cedar St.
San Diego, 92101
EMAIL: admissions@cwsl.edu
PHONE: 619-525-7060
FAX: 619-615-1460

Summary

Established	1924
Location	San Diego, CA
Dean	Miriam H. Baer
2025 US News Ranking	178th-195th
LSAT Median Score	153
GPA Median Score	3.39
Bar Passage Rate	48.4% (2025)
Employment Rate	N/A (2025)
Cost	Tuition cost: "$62,550 full-time, $46,830 part-time"
Average Debt	N/A
Application Deadline	N/A

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Reference

https://www.cwsl.edu/
California Western School of Law, San Diego, California
LSD Law
Ranked #178-195
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