New York Law School

New York Law School has been at the forefront of legal education for over a century. Situated in the global hub of New York City, it has become a leader in teaching, developing, and inspiring legal practitioners worldwide. Its faculty are distinguished experts in their respective fields, bringing far-reaching experience and insight to the classroom. With an unparalleled network of alums and a robust array of student organizations, New York Law School provides its students with an enriching academic and professional experience. Whether you aspire to be a business leader, a public interest attorney, or a legal scholar - New York Law School is the perfect place to help launch your career in law.

History

NYLS is an iconic legal institution in New York City that has been around since 1891. It was started by faculty, students, and alums who broke off from Columbia Law School and wanted to implement innovative educational methods. Initially, the school was located in the Equitable Building at 120 Broadway, but it has moved to different locations throughout its history, eventually settling at 185 West Broadway in Tribeca. Despite historical highs and lows, NYLS has remained a popular destination for aspiring lawyers from all walks of life.

NYLS is committed to providing its students with the tools they need to succeed in an ever-changing legal profession. One example of this commitment is their J.D. evening program, which was one of the first of its kind in the nation when it was established in 1894. This commitment has allowed graduates to be part of building modern New York and contribute to the changing landscape of law worldwide. NYLS is constantly innovating and adapting educational methods to serve its students better, ensuring that they are prepared to take on the challenges of a legal career.

The future looks even brighter for NYLS as it continues to provide aspiring lawyers with high-quality education and a strong foundation upon which they can build successful careers in law. With its iconic buildings, pioneering educational methods, and commitment to students from all means, NYLS is an essential part of New York's legal history and is poised to be essential to the city's future.

Admissions

New York Law School, founded in 1891, is a distinguished private institution located in the heart of Tribeca, Manhattan. Known for combining rigorous legal education with direct access to New York City’s vibrant legal, business, and government communities, the school provides students with unique opportunities to engage in practical learning and professional development. As it moves into the 2025 admissions cycle, NYLS continues its tradition of preparing future lawyers and leaders with a strong foundation in both theory and practice, supported by a diverse and dynamic academic environment.

Statistics

Admissions Stats
Class of:	2023-2024	2024-2025
25th - 50th - 75th percentile LSAT	153-156-158	153-156-158
25th - 50th - 75th percentile GPA	3.29-3.51-3.72	3.33-3.59-3.75
Acceptance rate	51.5%	52.7%
Applications received	3120	3371
Acceptances	1657	1777
Matriculants	345	377

For the 2025 admissions cycle, New York Law School reported an acceptance rate of 52.7% from a pool of 3,371 applications, resulting in 1,777 acceptances and 377 students ultimately enrolling. The LSAT scores for the incoming class ranged from 153 to 158 within the 25th to 75th percentile, while GPAs ranged from 3.33 to 3.75. These figures highlight both the competitive nature of the admissions process and the strong academic profile of the students who joined the law school for the 2024–2025 academic year.

Application Instructions

New York Law School is dedicated to helping you every step of the way in your legal journey. The first requirement for J.D. admission is that all candidates earn a bachelor's degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university. To begin the application process, it is necessary to register with the Law School Admissions Council's Credential Assembly Service (LSAC).

After registering with LSAC, preparing and registering for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is essential. Once that step has been completed, you can begin your NYLS application. There is no fee to apply. With your application, they require a personal statement, résumé, letter(s) of recommendation (minimum one and maximum three), transcripts from all undergraduate institutions attended, including foreign institutions, and supporting documents if you answered affirmatively on the character and fitness portion in the application.

Once your application is submitted and received by NYLS, they will provide you with an email confirmation. They will also give you the details on how to check the status of your application. You are welcome to use this feature at any time. They will communicate all admissions decisions through their online status checker. If you are admitted, they will provide you with a separate password to access the Admitted Students section of their website.

Dates and Deadlines

For the Fall 2025 admissions cycle at New York Law School, the priority deadline for J.D. First-Year applicants is March 15, 2025, while the regular application deadline is June 30, 2025. Students seeking financial aid must ensure their materials are submitted by March 1, 2025, to be considered. For those applying to the J.D. Transfer program or as Visiting Students, the deadline to submit applications is July 15, 2025. These dates are important for applicants to keep in mind in order to secure timely consideration for admission and financial support.

Tuition and Financial Aid

For the 2025-26 academic year, the full-time J.D. tuition at New York Law School is $71,052 with additional fees of about $2,472, bringing the tuition & fees subtotal to $73,524. Factoring in living expenses, books, supplies, transportation, and other personal costs, the total cost of attendance for students living off campus comes to approximately $97,283. Under the school’s financial aid framework, nearly all students receive some form of scholarship or grant: about 96% of full-time J.D. students are awarded aid, with the average award being around $35,000. Financial aid options include institutional scholarships, donor scholarships, and federal loan programs among others.

Cost of Attendance

For the 2025-26 academic year, the full-time JD program at New York Law School has tuition of $71,052 plus fees of $2,472, giving a subtotal of $73,524. When other necessary costs are included—room and board (for students living on their own), books and supplies, transportation, personal expenses, and loan fees—the total estimated cost of attendance is approximately $97,283. If a student lives with family, the cost is lower due to reduced living-expense allocations, bringing the total down to about $84,243 under that scheme.

For the part-time JD program, tuition and fees are lower—$54,712 for tuition with $1,796 in fees, totaling about $56,508. With full living-expense estimates (on-own housing, etc.), the total cost of attendance for the part-time program is roughly $80,267. Living with family under part-time status likewise reduces that estimate to about $67,227.

New York Law School offers a range of options for students interested in pursuing their Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree. Candidates can choose to pursue their studies either full-time or part-time. For those choosing the full-time option, the total cost of attendance (including tuition, fees, and living expenses) is $84,625 for those living on their own and $71,585 for those living with family. For part-time students, the total cost of attendance is $70,257 for those living on their own and $57,217 for those living with family.

Whether full- or part-time, New York Law School offers its J.D. program in a condensed format that allows students to complete their degree within three years of full-time study or six years of part-time study. The school also offers accelerated J.D. programs for those who wish to complete their studies in less time than the standard three- and six-year options.

Financial Aid

Financial aid is a great way to help cover the costs of attending New York Law School. There are many available sources of aid, from loans, scholarships, grants, and work-study programs. To ensure eligibility for all possible funding opportunities, they advise those interested in pursuing their legal studies at NYLS to apply for financial assistance as early as possible, even before receiving notification of their admissions decision.

Scholarship

The Office of Admissions and Student Financial Services at New York Law School is dedicated to ensuring that all students have the resources necessary to make an informed decision about their legal education. This includes access to various types of scholarships offered both by the school and outside organizations. In order to support this goal, the office offers a range of services to help students understand and apply for scholarships.

The office provides information about internal scholarship opportunities available to current students and incoming classes. This includes need-based awards, merit-based awards, and other scholarships such as diversity initiatives. Information is also provided about external organizations that offer additional scholarships for law school students. These may include national awards, state or local awards, and awards from private foundations.

Employment Prospects & Bar Passage

New York Law School’s Class of 2024 achieved a 94% overall employment rate about ten months after graduation, with 90% of that class in what the school describes as “Gold-Standard” jobs — positions that are either bar-required or J.D.-advantage.

In terms of bar exam performance, for first-time takers among the Class of 2024, NYLS recorded an 81.9% bar pass rate across all jurisdictions, compared with an ABA-weighted average of about 84.7% for accredited schools in those same jurisdictions.

These figures highlight strong employment outcomes for graduates, especially in desirable legal roles, though the bar passage rate for first-time takers at NYLS remains slightly below the national average.

Academics and Curriculum

New York Law School has been a leader in legal education for more than a century, renowned for its groundbreaking curricula and immersive combination of theory and practice. By offering an unparalleled blend of scholarly rigor and practical experience, the school has firmly established itself as a premier destination for aspiring attorneys and legal professionals. In addition to its cutting-edge programs, the school also offers a comprehensive array of scholarship opportunities and experiential learning experiences. With its emphasis on excellence in teaching, research, and service to the legal community, New York Law School provide students with an unparalleled opportunity to gain the skills essential for success in today’s rapidly changing legal landscape. Students are encouraged to take full advantage of the school’s resources and those provided by its extensive network of alums, faculty, staff, and friends. From challenging intellectual debates to dynamic career opportunities, New York Law School is a leader in preparing students for the future of law.

Programs of Study

New York Law School (NYLS) offers a variety of academic and professional learning options to its students to provide them with the best possible legal education. The school's J.D. and LL.M. in Taxation programs are designed to equip graduates with the expertise required for a successful career in the legal field - be it at a law firm, in public service, or the judiciary. The courses available range from core topics, such as constitutional law and contracts, to more specialized electives like criminal procedure and intellectual property.

In addition to its quality curriculum, NYLS provides students with support programs designed to help them reach their full potential. Such programs include academic and bar success coaching, advising services, and law clinics. These resources allow students to hone their legal skills before they enter the professional world.

Specialty Areas

New York Law School provides its students with a variety of experiential learning opportunities that enable them to develop the skills they need to excel in their chosen field. Students can take part in clinics, co-curricular activities and centers and institutes which provide them with critical experience needed for each specialist area. Moreover, students are able to participate in moot court and other law student competitions, which help them to refine their legal writing skills.

The School's specialty areas include business law, intellectual property, taxation and trusts, family law, litigation and dispute resolution, criminal defense practice, international human rights protection and advocacy, public interest law among others. All students are encouraged to take advantage of the wide range of courses and opportunities available, so they can gain a comprehensive understanding of their chosen specialty field.

Clinics

New York Law School offers an array of clinical experiences to help prepare its students for the legal profession. Students can gain real-world experience and learn how to represent people effectively by taking on actual cases in various practice areas. Areas of focus include asylum and immigration, civil rights, family law, housing, criminal prosecution and defense, cyberbullying, elder law, intellectual property, juvenile rights, legislative advocacy, mediation, post-conviction remedies, public policy and regulatory advocacy, and transactional law.

Simulation Courses

Simulation courses at New York Law School are designed to allow students to practice their lawyering skills in a setting that closely resembles real-world legal scenarios. These courses are led by experienced faculty, those currently working in law practice, and judges who bring their professional expertise into the classroom. Participants in simulation courses will gain experience in various lawyering skills, including client interviewing and counseling, negotiation, motion practice, and argumentation before the court. Through realistic case scenarios, students can work with actors in role-play exercises and practice trial advocacy during mock trials. The simulation courses are also designed to give students an understanding of the ethical considerations that accompany each practice area. By the end of the course, participants will have developed their professional skills and a greater understanding of ethical considerations related to lawyering.

Externships

New York Law School's Externship Program offers upper-level students the opportunity to gain invaluable real-world experience while earning academic credits. Through this program, students can pursue a variety of placements that match their interests and aspirations. The Financial Services Law Externship program provides students with the chance to work in a financial services law firm and gain insights into the workings of financial regulatory bodies. The Judicial Externship program allows students to work with judges and court personnel in New York City federal, state, and local courts. The Law Office Externship Program allows students to learn from experienced lawyers through placements at law firms and public interest organizations. Finally, the Washington, D.C. Honors Externship program provides students with a unique opportunity to gain practical experience working in government agencies and policy organizations in Washington, D.C. These externships provide students with a valuable learning experience they can carry with them into their future careers.

Other Experiential Learning Courses and Programs

New York Law School offers its students an array of experiential learning opportunities, crucial to enhancing their practical legal knowledge and building a solid foundation of professional skills. These include simulations, clinics, externships, and a variety of other courses which give students a chance to learn in an active, hands-on capacity.

Quality of Life

At New York Law School, cultivating a positive learning environment that is both collegial and supportive is of paramount importance. The Office of Student Life (OSL) works to ensure the most rewarding experience possible for all students while attending school. From the time new students arrive and become engaged in Orientation through Commencement, OSL works to provide activities, services, and programs that create a sense of community and belonging. OSL provides support for international students, offering assistance with visa requirements and other paperwork and providing various cultural activities. Additionally, students with disabilities can access the resources they need at OSL, including counseling on accommodations.

Faculty

NYLS students are fortunate to have instructors who possess impressive academic and professional accomplishments and are passionate about providing quality education. New York Law School faculty goes above and beyond what is expected of them in their teaching, demonstrating a solid dedication to their students' success. These professors not only provide the necessary knowledge and skills to students but also pass along their enthusiasm and passion for the law.

The faculty includes renowned judges, practitioners, scholars, and legal experts worldwide. Each faculty member brings a wealth of experience and unique perspectives to their instruction. The knowledge they pass on in the classroom is invaluable, and students are exposed to various legal topics.

New York Law School faculty strive to create an environment that challenges and engages their students. They value innovation, creativity, and critical thinking, preparing their students for successful careers in law. The education provided by the faculty at New York Law School is second to none, and it's clear that their commitment to excellence has a lasting impact on their students.

Library

The Mendik Library of New York Law School (NYLS) offers students access to an expansive collection of physical and legal resources and a wide range of sophisticated electronic research products and services. This modern library provides ample space for individual and group study, allowing students to make the most out of their educational experience.

Contact Information

New York Law School
Admissions
185 West Broadway
New York, NY 10013
T: 212.431.2888
T: 1.877.937.NYLS (Toll-Free)
E: admissions@nyls.edu

https://www.nyls.edu/admissions/

Summary

Established	1891
Location	New York, NY
Dean	Anthony W. Crowell
2025 US News Ranking	121th
LSAT Median Score	156
GPA Median Score	3.59
Bar Passage Rate	70.7% (2025)
Employment Rate	N/A (2025)
Cost	"$69,039 full-time, $53,058 part-time"
Average Debt	N/A
Application Deadline	July 1, 2025

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Reference

https://www.nyls.edu/
Rank #121
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