New York University School of Law

NYU Law

New York University School of Law (NYU Law) is the law school of New York University. It was established in 1835, making it the oldest law school in New York City and the oldest surviving law school in New York State. NYU Law offers JD, LL.M., and JSD law degrees and is located in Greenwich Village in Lower Manhattan.

New York University School of Law is a highly respected institution that ranks among the best in the world. The school offers an excellent education in law, focusing on international and tax law. Additionally, NYU Law's outstanding faculty is consistently ranked as the best in the United States. Students at NYU Law can expect to receive a top-notch education that will prepare them for success in their chosen field.

NYU Law boasts an impressive roster of alums, including judges at the International Court of Justice and Nobel laureates. The school is also home to some of the world's leading legal philosophers. NYU Law graduates pursue successful legal careers, often at top firms in the United States. Deborah N. Archer, current president of the ACLU, is a Clinical Professor at NYU Law.

New York University School of Law has been widely recognized for its public interest orientation. The school's Root-Tilden-Kern Public Interest Law Fellowship is considered one of the most prestigious programs of its kind. NYU Law's bar passage rate is among the highest in the nation, at 98.7% in 2022.

History

New York University School of Law is one of the oldest law schools in the United States, founded in 1835. It is also the oldest surviving law school in New York State. The school is in New York City and offers a Juris Doctor (JD) degree program. NYU Law has a strong tradition of academic excellence and is ranked among the top law schools in the country. It is also a member of the prestigious Association of American Law Schools.

New York University School of Law was founded in 1835 by Benjamin Franklin Butler. It was the first law school in the United States to teach using the "course method." The school offers a three-year program leading to a Juris Doctor (JD) degree.

New York University School of Law is one of the most prestigious and selective law schools in the United States. Located in New York City, NYU Law is considered a "dream school" by many aspiring lawyers. The school has produced many notable alums, including several Supreme Court justices. Admission to NYU Law is highly competitive, with only a few thousand students out of tens of thousands of applicants being accepted each year.

NYU School of Law was one of the first law schools in the United States to admit women. It began raising its standards for admission in the early 20th century. In 1924, it required all students to complete at least one year of undergraduate education or equivalent. This was increased to two undergraduate years in 1926, per the American Bar Association's recommendation. The law school absorbed the Metropolitan Law School in 1895, which became its evening division.

The law school at New York University moved to its current location at 40 Washington Square South in Greenwich Village in 1951. The school's dean at the time, Arthur T. Vanderbilt, oversaw the relocation. In addition, the school established the Root-Tilden-Kern Scholarship for public service that same year.

Admissions

New York University (NYU) School of Law is one of the most prestigious law schools in the United States, known for its competitive admissions process. The school has an acceptance rate of around 16.7%, with the median LSAT score for admitted students at 172 and a median GPA of 3.90. Applicants can choose between two admission tracks: the binding Early Decision, with a deadline of November 15, and the Regular Decision, with a deadline of February 15. To be considered for scholarships, priority applications should be submitted by December 1. NYU Law requires either the LSAT or GRE, along with a Credential Assembly Service (CAS) report, two letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and a resume. The application fee is $85, though waivers are available for eligible candidates. International applicants must hold the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree and submit transcripts via LSAC; the TOEFL is not required for JD applicants. NYU Law offers several prestigious scholarships, including the full-tuition Root-Tilden-Kern Public Interest Scholarship, the Furman Scholarships for future academics and public policy leaders, and the AnBryce Scholarship for first-generation graduate students. Applicants interested in scholarships should meet the early deadlines and may need to provide additional materials. If you have taken the LSAT, your LSAT score(s) and writing sample(s) will be included in the CAS report. GRE scores must be sent directly to NYU Law from ETS using the law school code 2599.

Statistics

Admissions Stats
Class of:	2023-2024	2024-2025
25th - 50th - 75th percentile LSAT	168 - 172 - 174	169 - 172 - 173
25th - 50th - 75th percentile GPA	3.77 - 3.90 - 3.96	3.80 - 3.91 - 3.96
Acceptance rate	15.7%	16.7%
Applications received	8498	8537
Acceptances	1424	1423
Matriculants	406	406

Foreign Applicants

For the 2025 admissions cycle, foreign applicants must submit their transcripts through the LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS) for evaluation. This applies to anyone who has completed any post-secondary coursework outside of the United States (including U.S. territories) or Canada. The only exception is if the foreign coursework was completed as part of a study abroad, consortium, or exchange program sponsored by a U.S. or Canadian institution, which is clearly noted on the home campus transcript. It is indicated as such on the home campus transcript. Visit www.lsac.org for more information.

Application Fee or Waiver

The application fee for NYU School of Law in 2025 is $85, which is non-refundable and must be paid by credit card when submitting the application electronically.

• Automatic Fee Waiver: If you have an LSAC-approved fee waiver for the LSAT or the Credential Assembly Service (CAS), your NYU Law application fee will automatically be waived.

• Military Waiver: The application fee is also waived for U.S. military personnel and veterans, including members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard.

• Important: Applicants who have served in a foreign military are not eligible for this fee waiver.

To learn more about obtaining a fee waiver, click here.

Early Decision (Binding)

File and complete application by November 15

• Deadline: Submit and complete the application by November 15, 2024
• Notification: Decisions released by late December 2024
• Note: Early Decision is binding, meaning admitted applicants must attend NYU Law.

Regular Decision

• Deadline: Submit and complete the application by February 15, 2025
• Notification: Decisions released by late April 2025
• Note: Regular Decision is non-binding, providing more flexibility for applicants to choose between offers.

To read a TLS article about deciding between ED and RD (or Regular Decision), click here.

Transfer Admission

Applicants seeking to transfer to NYU School of Law in 2025 must meet the following criteria:

• Must have completed one full year of study at an ABA-accredited law school.

• Must be in good academic standing at their current institution.

• Must not have been enrolled in law school for more than five years.

• Up to 30 credits may be transferred toward the NYU JD degree.

• Important: Applicants currently enrolled in part-time law programs are not eligible to apply for transfer.

To be eligible to transfer to NYU School of Law, applicants must have completed one full year of study at an ABA-accredited law school, be in good standing, and not have been enrolled in law school for more than five years. A maximum of 30 credits will be applied toward the JD degree. Candidates currently enrolled in a part-time law school program are not eligible to apply. To read a fantastic article about transferring, click here.

Tuition Cost and Scholarships

For the 2025–2026 academic year, the tuition at NYU School of Law is $83,152, with additional mandatory fees totaling $3,198. When factoring in estimated living expenses, including housing, food, books, transportation, and personal costs, the total estimated cost of attendance reaches approximately $118,137 for the year. International students should also plan for extra costs related to relocation, visa processing, SEVIS fees, early arrival housing, and health insurance, which may add between $1,500 and $5,000 to their overall expenses. NYU Law offers a range of scholarships and financial aid options to support students. Among these are the Dean’s Awards, which are merit- and need-based scholarships automatically considered with admission, and the prestigious Vanderbilt Scholarships, which are awarded to students demonstrating exceptional academic and leadership potential. The renowned Root-Tilden-Kern Public Interest Scholarships provide full tuition for students committed to public service careers. Additionally, specialized scholarships are available, including the Derrick Bell Scholarship for Public Service, the C. Bainbridge Smith Scholarship for economically disadvantaged second- and third-year students from New York City, and the Cybersecurity Service Scholarship for those pursuing a legal career in cybersecurity. Approximately two-thirds of NYU Law students receive some form of financial aid, with an average grant of $21,000. To be considered for many of these scholarships, applicants must submit their materials by the priority deadline of December 1, 2024, or the final scholarship deadline of January 1, 2025.

The Law School's Loan Repayment Assistance Program eases the burden of debt repayment obligations for those choosing careers in public service. More than 500 JD graduates in public service now have their debt burden paid in full or in part by NYU Law.

Curriculum

The New York University School of Law curriculum for 2025 continues to be highly respected across all areas of law, with particular national recognition for its programs in tax law, clinical training, and international law. These remain some of the strongest programs in the country. The school also offers top-tier instruction in environmental law, intellectual property law, and trial advocacy. All first-year JD students must complete a structured core curriculum covering foundational legal principles. This required coursework extends into part of the second year, after which students can select from one of the most extensive and diverse ranges of elective courses in the country, allowing them to tailor their education to their personal interests and career goals. First-year classes are typically large, often exceeding 100 students per section, but the learning environment becomes more intimate in later years, with nearly half of upper-level classes having fewer than 25 students. The law school maintains an impressive 9-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio, ensuring meaningful access to professors and mentorship opportunities.

NYU Law offers over 50 courses annually in international and global law, along with a wide array of seminars, clinics, and experiential learning opportunities that allow students to apply their knowledge in real-world settings. The clinical programs at NYU remain a cornerstone of the curriculum, giving students direct experience in areas such as immigration, civil rights, criminal defense, and environmental justice.

The faculty at NYU Law are engaged in cutting-edge, interdisciplinary research, often collaborating with experts across fields like economics, public policy, technology, and global affairs. This interdisciplinary approach equips students with a versatile legal education and prepares them to succeed in both traditional and emerging areas of law.

NYU Law also offers robust international opportunities, including study abroad programs, international moot court competitions, language learning options, and global internships. Students are encouraged to participate in summer internships, clinical placements, and post-graduate fellowships that provide hands-on legal experience in both domestic and international contexts. These opportunities allow graduates to enter the workforce with strong practical skills, whether they choose to practice in the United States or abroad.

Faculty

NYU Law

NYU School of Law's faculty in 2025 continues to be distinguished by its scholarly excellence and practical impact. Notable developments include the return of Oren Bar-Gill, a leading scholar in law and economics, who rejoined the faculty as a tenured professor, bringing his expertise in contracts and consumer markets. Jonathan Gould, recognized for his work on the intersection of law and politics, also joined as a tenured professor. Additionally, Christopher Morten returned to NYU Law, bringing with him the Science, Health, and Information Clinic, focusing on the legal structures governing scientific and technical knowledge.

Faculty achievements in 2025 include Deborah Archer and Liam Murphy being elected as Fellows of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, recognizing their contributions to civil rights and legal philosophy, respectively. The NYU Law Teaching Awards honored Richard Brooks, Brant Hellwig, and Daniel Hemel for their exceptional commitment to student learning and engagement.

Publications

NYU Law maintains a robust array of publications that contribute significantly to legal scholarship. The NYU Law Review continues to publish influential articles across various legal disciplines. Other student-run journals include the Annual Survey of American Law, Environmental Law Journal, Journal of Intellectual Property & Entertainment Law, Journal of International Law and Politics, Journal of Law & Business, Journal of Law & Liberty, Journal of Legislation & Public Policy, Moot Court Board, and Review of Law & Social Change.

Faculty-led publications such as the Clinical Law Review and the Tax Law Review continue to provide in-depth analysis on specialized legal topics. Additionally, NYU Law hosts several blogs and online platforms, including The Docket, Tax Blog, Brennan Center Blog, Privacy Research Group, Compliance & Enforcement, and Transnational Notes, which offer insights into current legal issues and developments.

In 2025, faculty publications included Rachel Barkow's book Justice Abandoned, examining Supreme Court decisions contributing to mass incarceration. César Rodríguez Garavito continued his work on environmental and human rights law, contributing to the discourse on "more-than-human rights" and climate justice.

Employment Prospects & Bar Passage

As of the 2025 reporting cycle, New York University School of Law continues to demonstrate exceptional outcomes in both employment and bar passage rates, underscoring its reputation as a premier institution for legal education.

Employment Prospects: For the Class of 2023, NYU Law achieved a remarkable employment rate of 98.07%, with 457 out of 466 graduates securing positions within ten months post-graduation. A significant majority, approximately 69.31%, commenced careers. in private law firms, notably with 54.92% joining firms exceeding 500 attorneys in size. Public interest roles accounted for 17.72% of employment, while 3.94% of graduates obtained federal clerkships. The predominant employment location was New York, encompassing 71.55% of the employed graduates.

Bar Passage Rates: In 2024, NYU Law reported a first-time bar passage rate of 96.72%, positioning it among the top-performing law schools nationally. This rate significantly surpasses the national average of approximately 83% for first-time takers from ABA-accredited institutions.

These statistics reflect NYU Law's commitment to preparing its students for successful legal careers across various sectors, including private practice, public service, and academia.

Quality of Life

In 2025, NYU School of Law continues to offer an exceptional quality of life, blending the vibrant energy of New York City with a supportive and well-resourced campus environment. Situated in the heart of Greenwich Village, the Law School's proximity to Washington Square Park and downtown Brooklyn fosters a strong sense of community among students. This prime location provides easy access to classes, diverse dining options, cultural venues, and the dynamic atmosphere of the city.

The Law School's commitment to cultural enrichment is evident through various events and performances that enhance the student experience. Engagement with the arts, including dance performances, visual installations, and classical music, contributes to a vibrant and connected community.

On-campus housing options for the 2025–2026 academic year include two high-rise apartment-style residence halls: D’Agostino Hall and Hayden Hall. These facilities offer a variety of living arrangements, such as studio and one-bedroom apartments, as well as private rooms in shared two- or three-bedroom apartments. Family housing accommodations are also available in limited quantities, providing options for students with families. Both residence halls are equipped with amenities like 24/7 front desk services, study rooms, laundry facilities, computer labs, and recreational spaces. Utilities, including high-speed internet, are included in the housing rates.

For students seeking summer housing, NYU Law offers affordable apartment-style living in Greenwich Village during the summer term, running from May 25 to August 2, 2025. Accommodations are available for single adults, couples, and families, with a minimum stay of four consecutive weeks. Priority is given to those applying for the full 10-week term.

Overall, NYU School of Law provides a comprehensive and enriching environment that supports students' academic pursuits and personal growth, all within the dynamic setting of New York City.

Contact Information

New York University School of Law
40 Washington Square South
New York, NY 10012
Office of Admissions
139 MacDougal Street, Suite C-20
New York, NY 10012
Phone: (212) 998-6060
Email: law.moreinfo@nyu.edu

Summary

Established	1835
Location	New York, NY
Dean	Troy McKenzie
2025 US News Ranking	8th
LSAT Median Score	172
GPA Median Score	3.91
Bar Passage Rate	96.6% (2025)
Employment Rate	N/A (2025)
Cost	$83,152
Average Debt	N/A
Application Deadline	N/A

Forum and Discussion

New York University School of Law Discussions
Law School Admissions Forums
Law Student Forums
Law School Class Forums

References

New York University School of Law
LSD.Law
Ranked #8
Guide to Fee Waivers
LSAC Guide
How to Learn to Do Well on a Law School Exam
Success in Law School - A Unique Perspective
The Guide to Law School Loans