University of Massachusetts School of Law

UMass Dartmouth is a research university that allows students to explore and discover new things. The faculty are world-class researchers, and their students have the opportunity to experience real-world innovation.

History

The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth (UMass Dartmouth) traces its origins to 1895 and evolved over many decades. A significant milestone in that history came in 2010 when the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education approved the university’s authority to grant the Juris Doctor degree, and UMass Law was established. A donation of assets — a facility, land, library, technology and cash — from the Southern New England School of Law (SNESL) made UMass Law possible. Over time, UMass Law achieved full accreditation by the American Bar Association and grew in size, recognition and academic breadth.

As of 2025, UMass Law celebrates its role as the Commonwealth’s only public law school, offering full-time and part-time J.D. programs as well as joint degrees in areas such as business (J.D./M.B.A.) and public policy (J.D./M.P.P.). According to class-profile data for 2024-25, the entering class had a median LSAT of 151 and median undergraduate GPA of 3.39. The acceptance rate hovered near 59.9 %. Enrollment across J.D. programs reached 381 students. UMass Law also achieved national recognition for placing graduates into public interest law careers: in the 2025 edition of the U.S. News & World Report rankings, it was ranked #22 in the country for schools with the most graduates working in public interest law.

The school remains committed to experiential learning: all students are guaranteed a clinic or internship placement, and the institution continues expanding its service-focused programs and its engagement with underserved communities.

Admissions

The University of Massachusetts School of Law does not have any specific pre-law course of study that it favors. Instead, the admissions process is based on thoroughly evaluating all factors in an applicant's file. This means that each applicant is evaluated as an individual, not just based on their GPA or LSAT score. This allows students with varied backgrounds and experiences to be admitted to the school.

Statistics

Admissions Stats
Class of:	2023-2024	2024-2025
25th - 50th - 75th percentile LSAT	147-150-153	148-151-155
25th - 50th - 75th percentile GPA	3.05-3.39-3.64	3.06-3.39-3.7
Acceptance rate	59.4%	59.9%
Applications received	1057	1137
Acceptances	711	681
Matriculants	110	135

For the 2024–2025 academic year, the University of Massachusetts School of Law – Dartmouth saw continued growth in both applications and enrollment. The school received 1,137 applications, up slightly from 1,057 the previous year. Out of those, 681 applicants were accepted, resulting in an acceptance rate of 59.9%, nearly identical to the 59.4% reported for 2023–2024. A total of 135 students matriculated, marking a noticeable increase from the 110 students who began their studies in the previous cycle.

The incoming class demonstrated a modest rise in academic performance metrics. The 25th–75th percentile LSAT range increased from 147–150–153 to 148–151–155, while the GPA range grew slightly from 3.05–3.39–3.64 to 3.06–3.39–3.73. These improvements indicate stronger competition among applicants and reflect UMass Law’s ongoing efforts to attract candidates with solid academic potential.

UMass Law’s 2025 admissions profile reflects consistent selectivity, academic growth, and increased student interest in Massachusetts’ only public law school.

Application Fee

To apply to UMass Law, you must complete an online application through LSAC.org. The non-refundable application fee is $50. It’s your responsibility to ensure that all application materials are received on time.

Letters of Recommendation

Two letters of recommendation are required:

At least one letter should come from a faculty member who has taught you in college or graduate school.

If you’re applying directly from an academic program, both letters may be from faculty.

If you’ve been employed, one recommendation should come from a supervisor or professional contact who knows your work ethic and performance.

All letters must be submitted through LSAC’s letter service as part of your CAS registration.

Resume and Personal Statement

The personal statement should include information about why you want to study law and what other information you would like the committee to know about you. You should also explain your reasons for wanting to attend this law school in particular.

Admission Decision

At UMass Law, they use a rolling admissions process. This means that once your application is completed, it will be reviewed by our Admissions Committee within a few weeks. However, the Committee may defer making decisions on completed applications until it has had a chance to review a substantial number of applications for the upcoming year. The Committee takes into account many factors when rendering a decision on an application for admission. This includes your academic record from undergraduate and graduate school, your LSAT score, recommendations, work experience, and reasons for wanting to study law.

Transfer

A student who has completed one or more years at a law school accredited by the American Bar Association or a state-approved law school may apply for transfer admission with advanced standing. In addition to UMass Law's normal applications materials, you will need to submit the following:

• A CAS report • An official transcript • A letter of good standing from your previous law school Your previous law school should also provide one letter of recommendation, although it doesn't have to be from a faculty member. LSAT scores over five years old are not acceptable for admission consideration. No more than 30 credit hours will be given, and transfer credit will not be factored into your GPA.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Attending UMass Law means investing in your future as a legal professional while benefiting from the only public law school in Massachusetts. The school continues to emphasize affordability and access to quality legal education. Below is the most recent tuition and estimated cost of attendance for the 2025–2026 academic year. These figures represent the financial commitment for both residents and non-residents and are used to determine financial aid eligibility.

Cost of Attendance

The table below outlines the estimated annual cost of attendance for full-time students, including tuition, fees, and living expenses.

The table below outlines the estimated annual cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, and living expenses for full-time students.

Category	In-State (Massachusetts)	Out-of-State / Non-Resident
Tuition & Fees	$33,356	$43,154
Books & Supplies	$1,200	$1,200
Housing & Meals	$14,000	$14,000
Transportation	$3,000	$3,000
Personal Expenses	$2,576	$2,576
Total Estimated COA (per year)	$54,132	$63,599

Additional Notes

Part-Time Students: Those enrolled in fewer than 12 credits are charged on a per-credit basis.
Graduation Fee: A one-time graduation fee applies to all students upon completion of 60 credits.
Alumni Association Fee: This one-time fee grants graduates membership in the alumni association. Graduates who wish to opt out must complete a waiver form.
Transcript Fee: A one-time $100 fee is charged for transcript preparation.
Financial Aid Availability: UMass Law offers merit-based and need-based scholarships, as well as federal and private loan options. Students are encouraged to submit the FAFSA early to maximize eligibility.

Student health insurance

The student health insurance policy runs from August 1 through July 31 of the following year. For the 2025–2026 academic year, the annual premium is $2,464.80. Students are billed in two separate installments: $1,044.50 for the fall term (August through December) and $1,420.30 for the spring term (January through July).

All students enrolled in a degree program must either enroll in the university’s health plan or complete an official waiver by the deadline listed on their student invoice. Students who do not submit a waiver will be automatically enrolled and charged the full premium. Those who have completed an online waiver should deduct the insurance charge from their bill if it appears on their statement.

Financial Aid

Financing a UMass Law education can be achieved through multiple avenues, including scholarships, fellowships, student loans, and flexible payment plans. The Financial Aid Office works closely with students to help them understand their eligibility, explore available aid, and build a realistic plan for covering educational costs.

Scholarships & Fellowships

Public Interest Law Fellowships - Offered to enter students interested in working in a public interest field upon graduation.
Commonwealth Fellows Program - Offered to incoming students who are Massachusetts residents or attended a Massachusetts public college or university and who meet the qualifying criteria.
Scholarships - UMass Law also offers academic merit scholarships.

UMass Law’s 2025–2026 tuition and fees remain among the most affordable in the region for a law degree. The school’s public mission ensures that students receive a high-quality legal education while managing costs responsibly through scholarships, financial aid, and flexible study options.

Law School Culture

At UMass Law, student life is centered around developing a professional identity as you grow in the knowledge of the law. The sense of community is strong, and people begin to form study groups. Professors become advisors, mentors, and guides. Student organizations enhance your interests and aspirations. The opportunities to gain practical experience are wide-ranging: clinics, field placements, pro bono work, and the legal skills program. The commitment to justice is real. UMass Law prepares lawyers to pursue justice through research, practice, public service, professional partnerships, advocacy for legal access, and social and economic development contributions.

The most important thing you can learn as a law student is to develop strong legal skills and ethical values. To provide quality legal representation to clients, you must be able to not only hone your technical lawyering skills but also grapple with the ethical issues that come up in day-to-day practice. This experience is essential in putting your classroom knowledge into action.

Academics and Curriculum

At UMass Law, they offer a variety of degree programs that allow students to tailor their education to their needs. They have full-time and part-time programs and day, evening, weekend, and summer session options. Students can also pursue a JD degree with a business concentration to obtain a JD/MBA, with public policy to obtain a JD/MPP degree, or with social work to obtain a JD/MSW degree. Additionally, they offer three "fast-track" programs for undergraduates who want to advance more quickly into law school.

Faculty

The professors at this school have a lot of practical legal experience and are great teachers. They are supportive mentors committed to helping students develop their professional capabilities.

Class

At UMass Law, they believe that smaller class sizes create a stronger sense of community and allow for greater interaction between students and faculty. Their smaller class sizes mean you will have access to their faculty, enabling you to get the most out of your legal education. According to ABA data over the last two years combined, UMass Law has the smallest average first-year doctrinal class size of any law school in Massachusetts.

The HLS community is supportive and welcoming, with people of all ages, genders, races, backgrounds, and sexual orientations represented. Their extremely diverse classes make HLS a great place to learn and grow.

Clinics

The UMass Law School operates two legal clinics on campus. These clinics provide a real-life experience for law school students. The Immigration Litigation Clinic is located on the first floor and provides easy access for its clients. It comprises a director's office, a library, a conference room, a reception area, and a large work area with computer workstations and desks. The Community Development Clinic is located in Room 118. It provides a productive work environment with ample, flexible space suitable for large or small student and client meetings, six computer workstations, large worktables, five telephone lines, and a full complement of office equipment.

Public Interest Fellowships

The PILF Fellowship Program is designed to provide students with the skills and training necessary to pursue a career in public service. The program offers specialized counseling, regular exposure to public interest lawyers and policymakers, and opportunities for hands-on experience in public interest law internships. Up to 25 Fellowships are awarded to entering students each year. In exchange for a commitment to practice public interest law for four years after graduation, the Fellowship includes a 50% scholarship for tuition and fees. While enrolled at the law school, participation in various public service programs is required, including performing 200 hours of community service and participating in various co-curricular events each semester.

Employment Prospects & Bar Passage

For 2025, the University of Massachusetts School of Law – Dartmouth continues to strengthen its reputation as an accessible and mission-driven public law school with a growing presence in the legal job market. The most recent data from the American Bar Association for the Class of 2024 shows that out of 111 graduates, 74 secured full-time, long-term positions requiring bar admission, and 12 obtained full-time, long-term positions where a Juris Doctor degree provided a professional advantage but was not required. This means approximately 75 percent of graduates found traditional law positions, and more than 85 percent were employed in roles that directly utilized their legal training. These outcomes reflect a steady upward trend compared to previous years, when the employment rate was slightly lower.

In recent national recognition, UMass Law ranked among the top law schools for placing graduates in public interest careers, coming in at number 22 nationwide. This achievement underscores the school’s continued emphasis on community service and accessible legal education, which remains central to its mission. Many graduates pursue careers in government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and legal aid offices, demonstrating the school’s commitment to public service law.

The bar passage rate for UMass Law graduates has also shown gradual improvement. While the Massachusetts statewide bar passage rate for July 2025 was approximately 75.8 percent overall and 85.6 percent for first-time takers, UMass Law’s most recent reported rate was about 59.4 percent. Although this number falls below the state average, the school continues to expand its academic support and bar preparation programs to help students achieve stronger outcomes. Faculty-led workshops, bar review stipends, and personalized mentoring are key components of the school’s bar readiness strategy.

For students pursuing law at UMass Dartmouth, these numbers indicate a growing balance between accessibility and post-graduation opportunity. Those interested in public interest or government work will find the school particularly supportive, while students focused on private practice can expect an improving employment landscape as the institution continues to build partnerships with regional firms and agencies.

UMass Law’s 2025 employment outlook is optimistic, marked by an increasing number of graduates securing bar-required and J.D.-advantage positions, alongside notable national recognition for public interest law. While bar passage rates remain an area for growth, the school’s expanding preparation programs and experiential learning opportunities demonstrate a firm commitment to student success beyond graduation.

Quality of Life

The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee at UMass Law exist to create a diverse and inclusive community. Their mission is to provide a supportive environment that celebrates differences and encourages collaboration. They strive to educate the UMass Law community on equity, inclusion, and diversity issues. They work to empower their students to lead by example and bring about change.

Synopsis

The School of Law provides students with excellent preparation for a legal career. You will learn essential legal skills, the fundamentals of statutory and case law, and new and emerging practice areas. This preparation begins with our simulation-based Legal Skills sequence of courses and culminates in the real-world clinic, internship, and pro bono opportunities.

Contact Information

University of Massachusetts School of Law
333 Faunce Corner Road
Dartmouth, MA 02747-1252
Phone: 508.985.1110
Fax: 508.985.1175
Email: lawadmissions@umassd.edu

Summary

Established	2010
Location	Dartmouth, MA 02747
Dean	Sam Panarella
2025 US News Ranking	161th
LSAT Median Score	151
GPA Median Score	3.39
Bar Passage Rate	59.4% (2025)
Employment Rate	46.5% (2025)
Cost	"$32,182 (in-state, full-time), $41,649 (out-of-state, full-time)"
Average Debt	$125,417
Application Deadline	June 30, 2025

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Reference

LSD Law
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BCG Attorney's Advice for Associates
LSAC Guide
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Success in Law School - A Unique Perspective
The Guide to Law School Loans
Guide to Fee Waivers