University of Montana School of Law

The University of Montana is located in Missoula, which lies on Interstate 90 in the western part of the state. The law school has been accredited since 1923 and is among the smallest in the country, limiting each incoming class to a maximum of 84 students.

History

The Alexander Blewett III School of Law at the University of Montana has produced graduates ready to take on the world since 1911. We provide exceptional value with our reasonable tuition and impressive outcomes, which is why we have been ranked as one of the Top 10 Best Value Law Schools in America by PreLaw Magazine.

The law school stands out because of its people and place. Montana has stunning natural beauty, which provides a perfect backdrop to relax and recharge from the stresses of studying law. In addition, they have an incredibly vibrant community of students, faculty, and staff that make this institution special. They are proud to be diverse in geography (students from all over Montana and beyond) as well as have backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences. Students form life-long relationships with one another that cannot be found in any other law school.

Admissions

The University of Montana’s Alexander Blewett III School of Law, located in Missoula, is the state’s only law school and is well regarded for its small class sizes, strong faculty support, and nationally recognized programs in American Indian Law and Natural Resources & Environmental Law. For the 2025 admissions cycle, the school received 534 applications, admitted 288 students, and enrolled 93, with a median LSAT of 156 and median GPA of 3.52. With a student-faculty ratio of about 7:1, an emphasis on experiential learning, and a supportive community, it offers students a competitive yet accessible path to a legal career, reinforced by strong bar passage rates and positive employment outcomes.

Statistics

Admissions Stats
Class of:	2023-2024	2024-2025
25th - 50th - 75th percentile LSAT	150 - 154 - 158	153 - 156 - 160
25th - 50th - 75th percentile GPA	3.23 - 3.48 - 3.69	3.21 - 3.52 - 3.75
Acceptance rate	66.1%	58.1%
Applications received	498	532
Acceptances	356	309
Matriculants	96	93

For the 2024–2025 admissions cycle at the University of Montana’s Alexander Blewett III School of Law, the school received 532 applications and admitted 309 students, resulting in an acceptance rate of 58.1%. Of those admitted, 93 matriculated into the incoming class. The LSAT range for the middle 50% of enrolled students was between 153 and 160, with a median score of 156, while the GPA range for the middle 50% was between 3.21 and 3.75, with a median of 3.52. These statistics reflect a slightly more competitive admissions process compared to the previous year, with fewer acceptances and a lower acceptance rate, but continued strong academic credentials among incoming students.

Application Deadline

The Alexander Blewett III School of Law at the University of Montana is now accepting applications for the upcoming school year. Prospective students can submit their applications starting on September 1st, and all applications must be completed and submitted by July 15th to be considered for admission. Unfortunately, the School of Law does not offer any type of fee waiver for applicants.

Application Requirements

If you are considering applying to the Alexander Blewett III School of Law at the University of Montana, the first step is creating an account with LSAC. LSAC stands for Law School Admissions Council and is essentially your gateway to the admission process for law school. You can access many services through this website to help you prepare for and apply to the University of Montana School of Law.

Once your account is set up, you can begin the application process. The first step is completing the online application form. This will ask for your academic history, employment experience, extracurricular activities, and personal statement. You'll also need to submit official transcripts from your undergraduate and graduate studies. You need to submit a resume and one or two letters of recommendation.

The final component of the application process is taking the LSAT exam. This test measures your critical thinking abilities and legal analysis skills, so you must prepare for the exam well in advance. After you submit your application and LSAT scores, the University of Montana School of Law will review them and contact you with a decision.

Tuition and Financial Aid

For the 2025–2026 academic year, tuition and fees at the University of Montana School of Law are approximately $27,512 for Montana residents and $55,084 for non-residents. When additional living expenses such as housing, meals, books, transportation, and personal costs are included, the estimated annual cost of attendance rises to about $66,361 for in-state students and $95,157 for out-of-state students. Financial aid helps ease this burden, with nearly 88% of students receiving grants or scholarships averaging around $7,000. While these awards reduce the overall cost, they generally cover only part of tuition, leaving many students to rely on loans and other funding sources. To maximize eligibility, applicants are encouraged to submit the FAFSA by the March 1 priority deadline, and the university’s Financial Aid Office provides personalized guidance to help students plan and manage their educational expenses effectively.

Cost of Attendance

Below is a clean and concise presentation of the 2025–2026 Cost of Attendance for the University of Montana School of Law, broken down by residency status. I’ve also included a wiki-style table for clarity.

University of Montana School of Law – Cost of Attendance (2025–2026)

Expense Category	Montana Resident	Non-Resident
Tuition & Fees	$27,512	$55,084
Books & Supplies	$1,450	$1,450
Room & Board	$15,174	$15,174
Personal Expenses	$5,018	$5,018
Transportation	$3,318	$3,318
Loan Fee Allowance	$264	$264
Total Estimated COA	$66,361	$95,157

For the 2025–2026 academic year, the University of Montana School of Law projects a total Cost of Attendance of $66,361 for in-state students and $95,157 for out-of-state students. These estimates include tuition and mandatory fees of $27,512 for residents and $55,084 for non-residents, along with common living and educational expenses such as $15,174 for room and board, $1,450 for books and supplies, $5,018 for personal expenses, $3,318 for transportation, and a $264 loan fee allowance. This comprehensive breakdown provides a realistic picture of the financial commitment required to pursue legal studies at Montana Law, helping students and families plan accordingly.

Scholarship

The University of Montana School of Law is proud to offer various scholarship opportunities to accepted applicants. Merit-based scholarships are available and range from $500 up, taking into account the individual's standardized test scores and undergraduate GPA when making decisions. In addition, they also review the ABA report for further scholarship information.

Beyond merit-based scholarships, they also offer a range of endowed scholarships for students in specific circumstances or with particular interests. Generous donors fund endowments and the funding amount can vary greatly depending on the donor's generosity.

In addition to the merit-based and endowed scholarship opportunities, the Law School also provides need-based awards for students in financial need. These awards consider the assessed costs of attendance, ability to pay, and other factors when deciding how much aid a student will receive.

Academics & Curriculum

The University of Montana School of Law is an accredited educational institution that offers a rigorous and comprehensive curriculum for aspiring legal professionals. The first two weeks of the 1L year are devoted to the Introductory Program. Students gain a fundamental understanding of the American legal system, learn to engage in legal analysis and research, and even participate in a mock trial. The 1L curriculum is fairly standard and includes Contracts, [1], Civil Procedure, Legal Research and Analysis, Criminal Law and Procedure, and the less common course of Pretrial Advocacy. During the 2L year, students take Business Organizations, Property, Evidence, Constitutional Law, possibly Federal Tax (depending on whether or not they take an elective), Trial Practice, Business Transactions, Professional Responsibility, and one elective. During the 3L year, students participate in a clinic, fulfill their writing requirements, and take various electives from areas such as tax law, real estate, or international law. The University of Montana School of Law also offers three joint degrees, all in cooperation with other departments of the university: J.D./M.B.A., J.D./M.P.A, and a joint degree in law and environmental studies, the J.D./E.V.S.T.. Aspiring lawyers can also concentrate their studies by enrolling in one of four concentrations or a certificate program or by joining one of two journals: the Montana Law Review and the Public Land and Resources Law Review. With a 0% 1L attrition rate among classes entering in 2007 and 2008, the University of Montana School of Law is an excellent choice for those seeking to pursue a career in law.

At the University of Montana School of Law, first-year students focus on gaining a fundamental understanding of legal concepts and taking required classes to further their knowledge. The classes are designed to promote a balance between theory and practice by giving students hands-on experience in the form of simulations and legal research instruction through the Law Firm Program. This approach treats each student as a small business, with the Law Firm Program as their mentor. Courses cover areas typically found on the bar exam, giving students an advantage for future exams and legal practice. In addition, these courses provide invaluable insight into how real-world legal problems are addressed through case law, research, writing briefs, and more. Through this comprehensive approach, first-year students can gain significant knowledge to build on for the rest of their legal careers.

The University of Montana School of Law strives to provide a comprehensive education that prepares each student for a successful legal career. Their focus on theory and practice gives our students the confidence they need to succeed in future exams, legal practice, and more. With the support of our Law Firm Program, 1L students can gain the necessary knowledge foundation to build upon for years to come.

Clinic Program

The University of Montana School of Law's mission is to produce confident, engaged, and effective lawyers who will serve as leaders in their communities and the legal profession. Clinical training provides an essential cornerstone for achieving that mission. Through their clinics and field placements, they equip their students with the skills they need to succeed in their legal careers and make the world a better place. They hope that when their graduates leave their institution, they will have the confidence to go out and tackle challenging legal matters; demonstrate professionalism at all times; become engaged members of their community, and exhibit strong ethical standards in their law practice.

They strive to make a lasting impact on how justice is administered by providing their students with the necessary skills and knowledge to serve as change-makers for the betterment of society. Their commitment to clinical education sets us apart from other institutions, and they are proud to be producing the future of law.

At the University of Montana School of Law, their students are encouraged to take risks, challenge the status quo, and think outside the box regarding legal problem-solving. Their clinics provide a safe space for them to practice their craft while developing professional judgment and discerning ethical decision-making skills. Through their clinics, students gain invaluable experience in the legal field and graduate with an understanding of how to use their lawyering skills for social justice and community development.

Joint Degrees

In addition to certificate programs, we also offer the following joint degree programs to help you shape your law career:

• JD/Master of Public Administration
• JD/Master of Business Administration
• JD/Master of Environmental Studies
• JD/Master of Social Work

Employment Prospects & Bar Passage

Graduates of the University of Montana’s Alexander Blewett III School of Law continue to demonstrate strong outcomes in both employment and bar passage. As of March 2025, 94.9% of the Class of 2024 were employed, with all working in positions requiring bar passage or in JD-advantage roles, and 18 graduates securing state or federal clerkships. First-time bar exam passage rates have remained steady in recent years, averaging between 82% and 86%, while the ultimate bar passage rate within two years is consistently high at about 97–97.5%. These results highlight the school’s effectiveness in preparing its students for successful entry into the legal profession and long-term career stability.

Quality of Life

Missoula, Montana, is an ideal place for those looking for affordable housing and a plethora of outdoor activities. The cost of living in the area is exceptionally cheap – with one-bedroom apartments ranging from $500 to $700, depending on the features included, such as a deck or patio. The university also offers on-campus housing for law students. Despite the affordability of living in Missoula, its small-town atmosphere may be a deterrent for those who are used to larger cities or suburbs. The university tries to offer amenities that appeal to more urban environments, such as museums and movie theaters, but they do not always succeed. Nearby attractions include Glacier National Park, three hours away, and Yellowstone National Park, a five-hour drive.

When visiting Missoula to decide if it is an excellent place to live, prospective students should keep in mind the area’s natural beauty and exciting outdoor activities such as hiking and mountain biking. In addition, the town has mild weather year-round – high temperatures average in the 80s during the summer and 30s during the winter. To ensure that Missoula is a good fit, prospective students should visit before making their final decision. All in all, Missoula is an ideal place for those looking to experience affordable living, and all that nature has to offer.

Law Library

The library also provides access to ScholarWorks, a service of the University of Montana Mansfield Library. This service preserves and centralizes research, creative scholarship, and unique resources produced by University of Montana faculty, students, and staff. ScholarWorks contains law faculty publications and archives from the Montana Law Review and Public Land & Resources Law Review.

Synopsis

Montana residents and applicants intent on practicing law in the state of Montana should give the University of Montana School of Law some serious consideration. However, students who do not plan to work in or near Montana after law school should probably steer clear of the school. Similarly, students who will pay out-of-state tuition should question whether there is a cheaper option that will offer the same employment opportunities. However, the school is admirable for its small class sizes, 0% 1L attrition rate, willingness to provide straightforward career placement statistics, and ultra-low in-state tuition. For Montana residents who plan to stay in Montana to practice law, the University of Montana could be a much better choice than many higher-ranked schools.

Contact Information

University of Montana
Alexander Blewett III School of Law
Admisssions Office
32 Campus Drive
Missoula, Montana 59812
Phone: (406) 243-4311
Emails:
blewettschooloflaw@umontana.edu
lawadmissions@umontana.edu
lawstudentservices@umontana.edu

https://www.umt.edu/law/admissions/default.php

Summary

Established	1911
Location	Missoula, Montana
Dean	Elaine Gagliardi
2025 US News Ranking	99th
LSAT Median Score	156
GPA Median Score	3.52
Bar Passage Rate	85.9% (2025)
Employment Rate	88.5% (2025)
Cost	"$26,983 (in-state, full-time), $54,449 (out-of-state, full-time)"
Average Debt	$92,790
Application Deadline	July 15, 2025

Forum and Discussion

University of Montana School of Law Discussions
Law School Admissions Forums
Law Student Forums
Law School Class Forums

Reference

University of Montana School of Law
https://www.umt.edu/law/
Rank #99
LSD Law
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

Forums: https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=4