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University of Denver Sturm College of Law
Denver Law School is one of the most respected law schools in the nation. Their experiential learning program provides students the skills and training they need to be successful lawyers. Their Legal Writing, Clinical Training, and Trial Advocacy programs are ranked in the top 10, giving their students a significant advantage in the legal market. With its global classroom curricula and location in one of the most dynamic cities in the nation, Denver Law School is preparing its graduates for successful legal careers.
Contents
History
The University of Denver College of Law is a pioneer in legal education, starting its legal aid dispensary in 1904. This program served the indigent populations of Denver and was one of the first in the nation. The law school's present-day clinical programs continue this tradition by training law students and serving underserved communities in criminal defense, civil practice, civil rights matters, immigration, and environmental law.
The Westminster Law School played a significant role in legal education in Denver for many years. It was the only evening program of law study from Kansas City to the Pacific Coast. When it merged with the University of Denver College of Law, terms included naming the Westminster Law Library and developing an evening program, which eventually became our part-time professional JD program.
Denver Law has always been a school that promotes diversity and inclusiveness. The school's first class included a woman, an African American, and a foreign national from Japan. Furthermore, the first woman to become a member of the Colorado and Denver Bar Associations and one of the first two women admitted to the American Bar Association, graduated from Denver Law. During the civil rights movement, Dean Robert B. Yegge created a summer program to increase access to legal education among Latinos and other people of color. The Ford Foundation funded this program. It was so successful that it inspired the American Bar Association and the Association of American Law Schools to establish the Council on Legal Education Opportunity (CLEO).
Admissions
Denver Law is a great place to attend law school if you want to focus on your career and future. They have many programs and courses to help you grow as a lawyer. Additionally, the school is committed to meeting your educational goals, whether you are a full-time or part-time student.
Statistics
| Admissions Stats | ||
| Class of: | 2023-2024 | 2024-2025 |
| 25th - 50th - 75th percentile LSAT | 156 - 160 - 162 | 155 - 159 - 162 |
| 25th - 50th - 75th percentile GPA | 3.31 - 3.58 - 3.75 | 3.43 - 3.65 - 3.81 |
| Acceptance rate | 48.5% | 53.1% |
| Applications received | 2156 | 1909 |
| Acceptances | 1086 | 1013 |
| Matriculants | 267 | 266 |
For the 2024–2025 admissions cycle at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, the statistics reflect a competitive but accessible program. The middle 50% of admitted students scored between 155–159–162 on the LSAT and held undergraduate GPAs in the range of 3.43–3.65–3.81, showing both solid academic performance and test results. Out of 1,909 applications received, the school admitted 1,013 applicants, yielding an acceptance rate of 53.1%. Ultimately, 266 students matriculated, which is nearly identical to the previous year’s class size. These numbers highlight the school’s balance of maintaining academic rigor while keeping admissions accessible, with trends showing slightly stronger GPA ranges compared to the prior year.
Cost of Attendance
The cost of attendance estimates the costs you may incur during the nine-month academic year. You can receive financial aid, such as scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study, up to the cost of attendance. This means that the total amount of money you may receive from financial aid sources cannot exceed the estimated cost of attendance.
For the 2025–2026 academic year, the University of Denver Sturm College of Law estimates the total Cost of Attendance for full-time JD students at $79,732. This includes direct costs billed by the university such as tuition of $51,090, fees of $1,050, and health insurance at $3,980, totaling $56,120. In addition, indirect costs are factored in for educational and living expenses: books and course materials at $1,000, housing at $14,868, food at $4,248, transportation at $1,548, personal expenses at $1,746, and loan fees of $202. Compared to the 2022–2023 estimates, the overall cost shows slight adjustments, mainly due to updated living cost estimates, while tuition and insurance remain core direct expenses.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition (13 credits/qtr) | $51,090 |
| Fees | $1,050 |
| Health Insurance | $3,980 |
| Subtotal (Direct Costs) | $56,120 |
| Books & Course Materials | $1,000 |
| Housing | $14,868 |
| Food | $4,248 |
| Transportation | $1,548 |
| Personal Expenses | $1,746 |
| Loan Fees | $202 |
| Total Cost of Attendance | $79,732 |
In addition to the cost of attendance, students may have to pay additional fees, such as a Loan Repayment Assistance Program fee or a Health and Counseling fee. Health insurance is required for all students; the cost above is 12 months of coverage. An origination fee will be deducted from all Direct Unsubsidized and Graduate PLUS Loans. The above is the average fee paid by students borrowing an Unsubsidized Loan. Actual fees will vary based on the amount borrowed.
Denver Law accepts applications from first-year JD and advanced-standing JD students for the fall semester. Transfer JD and visiting JD students can apply for any semester. The information on this page is for applications to our JD program. Please visit the Office of Graduate Admissions if interested in a different Graduate or LLM program.
Academics
Denver Law offers a variety of educational opportunities for students and professionals alike. You can study full-time or part-time to earn a JD or choose from one of four LLM or master's degrees. With so many options available, Denver Law can meet your needs and help you reach your goals.
The University of Denver Law School has several great programs which allow students to focus their studies in specific areas. They ranked highly in Clinical Training, International Law, Tax Law, Legal Writing, and Environmental Law. This gives students a lot of flexibility and options regarding their legal education.
Denver students have many opportunities to get the most out of their academic experience. The school offers a tremendous experiential learning program, with clerkships, externships, clinical opportunities, and more. The law school facilities are also new and technologically advanced, and the building is America's first "green" law school building. These are all great benefits that help students learn and grow as attorneys.
Employment Prospects and Bar Passage
For the 2025 outlook, the University of Denver Sturm College of Law demonstrates strong performance in both employment outcomes and bar passage results. Approximately 93% of graduates secured employment within 10 months of graduation, with a total of 217 out of 233 graduates employed. Nearly half of these positions, about 47.6%, were in law firms, while others pursued careers in public interest (13.4%), government roles (9.7%), and judicial clerkships (12.4%). The majority of graduates, around 82.5%, remained in Colorado to practice, with smaller numbers placed in states such as Illinois and New York. On the bar exam, graduates achieved a first-time passage rate of about 81.7%, based on 257 exam takers with 210 passers, which stands above the national average of roughly 77%. These outcomes reflect not only the competitiveness of the program but also the effectiveness of its academic and bar readiness initiatives, such as the Academic Achievement Program and the DU Bar Success Program, which provide structured preparation and support for students both during and after law school.
Quality of Life
The University of Denver Sturm College of Law scores big points for the quality of life. Denver is a fun and exciting city with great bars, restaurants, and music. However, so many people love Denver because of its location, which gives Denverites access to some of the world's most beautiful natural playgrounds. Colorado is a diverse state with endless opportunities for those who love to get out and play.
Synopsis
At Denver Law, they believe that it is important for their classrooms to reflect the diversity of the twenty-first century. This is essential to prepare students for the legal profession in the modern world. They strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students, regardless of their backgrounds or experiences.
Contact Information
University of Denver Sturm
College of Law
Admissions Office
Ricketson Law Building
2255 East Evans Avenue
Denver, Colorado 80208
Email: admissions@law.du.edu
Phone: 303.871.6135
https://www.law.du.edu/admissions/jd-admissions
Summary
| Established | 1893 |
| Location | Denver, Colorado |
| Dean | Bruce Smith |
| 2025 US News Ranking | 88th |
| LSAT Median Score | 159 |
| GPA Median Score | 3.65 |
| Bar Passage Rate | 81.7% (2025) |
| Employment Rate | N/A (2025) |
| Cost | "$61,530 full-time,
$45,122 part-time" |
| Average Debt | $147,194 |
| Application Deadline | June 1, 2025 |
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Reference
University of Denver Sturm College of Law
https://www.law.du.edu/
Rank #88
LSAC Guide
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