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University of Wisconsin Law School
Known for its great location and "law-in-action" approach to legal academics, the University of Wisconsin Law School is among the best public law schools in the nation. Especially for residents of Wisconsin, who can attend the school at a remarkably low rate of tuition, Wisconsin Law is a great place to pursue a legal education. Those interested in practicing law in Wisconsin should also consider the school seriously, as Wisconsin Law graduates are exempt from the state's bar exam.
Contents
History
The University of Wisconsin Law School is among the most prestigious and well-respected law schools in the United States. It has provided students with a rigorous analytical education for over 150 years. The school also offers its students a wealth of opportunities for experiential learning, and it strives to create a diverse and welcoming community. Above all, the UW Law School has committed to preparing its graduates for the real world of law practice.
In 1891, the state legislature appropriated funds to construct a law building on UW-Madison’s Bascom Hill. The new building opened in September 1893.
The University of Wisconsin Law School has a history dating back to 1893. In 1963, when the existing Law School was demolished, Dean George Young found and rescued a sandstone gargoyle from the rubble. This figure and its departed twin had sat on the roof of the 1893 building for almost 70 years. While one pair perished in its fall, the second landed unscathed. The rescued gargoyle, which is now permanently installed in the Law School's atrium, represents the indomitable strength and spirit of our University of Wisconsin Law School and its many graduates.
The first UW Law School classes were held in 1868 in the State Capitol Building, shown here before its dome construction.
Admissions
The University of Wisconsin Law School (Madison), a top‑30 public institution with a “law‑in‑action” philosophy and the only school in Wisconsin offering diploma privilege, seeks a diverse and intellectually engaged first-year class. For Fall 2025, about 1,818 applicants vied for roughly 229 seats, resulting in a 28.9% acceptance rate and a 43% yield. Successful applicants typically present a median LSAT of 165 (25th–75th: 158–166) and a median undergrad GPA of 3.81 (range: 3.54–3.92). The deadline for regular JD applications was April 3, 2025, with financial aid requests due around April 15. Admission decisions are holistic, weighing LSAT, GPA, personal statement, recommendation letters, and interview performance, with an Early Decision (binding) option available. The school also boasts one of the nation’s largest clinical programs and emphasizes preparing students to practice law from day one.
Statistics
For the 2025 admissions cycle, the University of Wisconsin Law School received 1,818 applications and extended 526 offers, resulting in an acceptance rate of 28.9%. From those offered admission, 227 students enrolled, giving the school a yield rate of 43.2% and bringing the incoming class size to approximately 229 students. The admitted students demonstrated strong academic credentials, with a median LSAT score of 165 and a 25th to 75th percentile range of 158 to 166. Their undergraduate GPAs also reflected high achievement, with a median GPA of 3.81 and a middle 50% range from 3.54 to 3.92. Overall, the law school maintains a total enrollment of about 705 students, with approximately 670 pursuing J.D. degrees, reinforcing its position as a selective and academically rigorous institution.
| Admissions Stats | ||
| Class of: | 2023-2024 | 2024-2025 |
| 25th - 50th - 75th percentile LSAT | 157 - 165 - 167 | 165 |
| 25th - 50th - 75th percentile GPA | 3.49 - 3.79 - 3.90 | 3.81 |
| Acceptance rate | 35.2% | 28.9% |
| Applications received | 1616 | 1818 |
| Acceptances | 575 | 526 |
| Matriculants | 163 | 227 |
Tuition and Expenses
For the 2024–2025 academic year, the University of Wisconsin Law School estimates the total cost of attendance for full-time Juris Doctor (JD) students to be approximately $61,740 for Wisconsin residents and $79,016 for non-residents. These figures are based on a standard student budget and include tuition and fees, which are $37,232 for in-state students and $53,929 for out-of-state students. Additional estimated costs include $2,450 for required course materials and supplies, $15,928 for housing and meals, $4,942 for personal expenses, $920 for transportation for in-state students (or $1,500 for out-of-state students), and $268 in loan fees. First-year students are advised to budget an additional $1,000 to cover the cost of a computer. The school also provides an alternative “thrifty” budget, which assumes lower living expenses and omits health insurance costs, bringing the total estimate to about $57,465 for residents and $74,741 for non-residents. These estimates are updated annually and reflect the typical costs associated with attending law school full-time at UW–Madison.
Cost of Attendance
The estimated Cost of Attendance for full-time J.D. students in the 2025–2026 academic year at the University of Wisconsin Law School is approximately $61,740 for Wisconsin residents and $79,016 for non-residents. This total includes tuition and fees ($37,232 for residents; $53,928 for non-residents), required course materials and supplies ($2,450), housing and meals ($15,928), personal expenses ($4,942), transportation ($920 for residents; $1,500 for non-residents), and loan fees ($268). First-year students should budget an additional $1,000 for a computer. These figures are based on the Standard Student Expense Budget, which assumes living alone in a one-bedroom apartment and includes health insurance; more modest “Thrifty Budget” estimates are also available for shared housing situations.
| Expense Category | Wisconsin Resident | Non-Resident |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Fees | $37,232 | $53,928 |
| Course Materials & Supplies | $2,450 | $2,450 |
| Housing & Meals | $15,928 | $15,928 |
| Personal Expenses | $4,942 | $4,942 |
| Transportation | $920 | $1,500 |
| Loan Fees | $268 | $268 |
| Total Cost of Attendance | $61,740 | $79,016 |
Figures based on the Standard Budget for students living alone in a one-bedroom apartment. First-year students should add $1,000 for a computer.
Application Requirements
The application requirements for first-year applicants to the Law School at the University of Wisconsin include a fee, the application itself, the Record of Residence form, an LSAT score, a CAS report including all college and graduate transcripts, a resume, a personal statement, and letters of recommendation. International applicants must also provide a TOEFL score. Early Decision applicants must submit an Early Decision Agreement.
Application Fee and Waivers
The Law School charges a $60 application fee, which is non-refundable. If you require a fee waiver due to financial need, don't hesitate to contact us at admissions@law.wisc.edu. The number of waivers is limited, so apply early if you need one. To learn more about obtaining a fee waiver, click here.
Record of Residence Form
All applicants must complete the Registrar’s Record of Residence form, regardless of whether you are claiming residency. This form will be sent to you via email two to three days after you apply, and is used to determine whether you are eligible for in-state tuition. Residency for tuition can be complex and governed by Wisconsin state statutes. The UW-Madison Registrar’s Office makes residency determinations, and not by the Law School. For more information about residency for tuition, please visit the Registrar's Residence for Tuition Purposes page or contact the Office of the Registrar's Residency Counselors at 608-262-1355.
Credential Assembly Service
All applicants are required to subscribe to the Credential Assembly Service, sponsored by LSAC. You must send an official CAS report to the Law School with your application, including transcripts from each undergraduate and graduate institution you have attended. For questions about CAS, please refer to LSAC’s website or contact them directly at 215-968-1001.
International Applicants
International applicants are required to register for the LSAT and Credential Assembly Service. International transcripts should be sent to LSAC through the process detailed on LSAC's International Transcripts webpage.
In addition, a TOEFL score is required for all international applicants whose native language is not English. You should have your score sent to LSAC, and it will be included in your CAS report. Additional information regarding the TOEFL exam may be found at https://www.ets.org/toefl. We will waive the TOEFL requirement if you have a minimum of one year of study at a U.S. college or university. International applicants may be asked to participate in a web-conference interview.
Reapplicants
If you are reapplying for admission to the law school, you must indicate this on the application. They strongly encourage you to submit new application materials, including new letters of recommendation. The supporting materials from prior years’ applications will be included in your file when you reapply. You will be required to re-register with CAS and submit a new application and fee.
Transferring
To apply as a transfer student at the University of Wisconsin Law School, you must have attended an ABA-approved law school. You must be academically eligible to continue as a regular full-time student in the school you last attended. To be admitted as a transfer student, you must have completed the equivalent of the first-year curriculum and no more than 45 credits. Applications are only accepted for the fall semester. To read a fantastic article about transferring, click here.
Academics & Curriculum
Due in part to its "law-in-action" approach to legal academics, the University of Wisconsin Law School enjoys an excellent academic reputation. According to this approach, students at Wisconsin learn not only what the laws are but also "why those rules evolved to address social concerns, and how those rules operate in the real world". Partly as a result of the school's dedication to this approach, class discussions at Wisconsin Law are multi-faceted, clinical opportunities are emphasized and plentiful, and graduates of the school have gained a reputation of being prepared to hit the ground running in the legal field.
The University of Wisconsin Law School provides students with the skills and knowledge needed to be excellent lawyers. Our law-in-action tradition helps graduates navigate an increasingly complex world. The UW Law School faculty have set the following learning outcomes for students: 1) Students will be competent in understanding substantive and procedural law. 2) Students will be competent in legal analysis, reasoning, problem-solving, and written and oral communication. 3) Students will be competent in their awareness of ethical dilemmas likely to arise in legal practice and their ability to identify and use legal resources. 4) Students will be competent in other professional skills needed as a member of the legal profession. 5) Students will understand the concept of law-in-action, including the procedures and social forces that influence legal outcomes.
Grading System
The grading system at the University of Wisconsin Law School is based on letter grades, with A+ being the best and F being the worst. Most law school courses give letter grades, which are converted to numerical equivalents to calculate grade point averages. The conversion table is as follows:
LETTER GRADE G.P.A. A+ 4.3 A 4.0 A- 3.7 B+ 3.3 B 3.0 B- 2.7 C+ 2.3 C 2.0 C- 1.7 D+ 1.3 D 1.0 D- 0.7 F 0
The University of Wisconsin Law School allows instructors to give students S (satisfactory) or U (unsatisfactory) grades in some courses rather than letter grades. This includes Trial Advocacy, Appellate Advocacy, Lawyering Skills, Advanced Legal Writing, and seminars with fewer than 20 students. In clinical courses, grades are based on S+, S, S-, and U.S+ and can be awarded to no more than 15% of the students in each clinical program. Grades of S, S+, S-, and U are not considered when computing a student's GPA.
In terms of curriculum, Wisconsin students enjoy more flexibility than most in their first year at the law school, as they are allowed to choose one elective from among four choices in the second semester of their first year. Beyond this first year, Wisconsin students enjoy much more flexibility, as they are free to select from among 171 elective courses to complete their JD degrees. Because over half of these courses contain fewer than 25 seats, Wisconsin students can establish close communication with the school's highly reputable faculty. Also available to Wisconsin students is a variety of clinical opportunities, as the school lays claim to one of the most extensive clinical programs in the nation.
Experimental Experience
Experiential learning at UW Law School allows students to develop practical skills and professional identity. The curriculum is designed to provide an extraordinary range of opportunities for hands-on experience. This allows students to gain real-world experience and prepares them to be successful lawyers. Whether your interests lie in litigation, business, public policy, or another area, you will find an experiential learning opportunity that suits you at UW Law School.
Clinical Programs
The University of Wisconsin Law School offers clinical education, which allows students to work with real clients in different areas of law, such as criminal law, health-care advocacy, and business law and entrepreneurship. By doing this, students can learn how the law works in practice and apply what they have learned in the classroom to these real-life situations. The law-in-action approach at UW Law helps to develop well-educated, thoughtful graduates who can successfully bridge the gap between law school and practice.
Externships
The University of Wisconsin Law School's externship program allows students to receive course credit for working in an off-campus legal setting, such as a judge's office or a state agency, under the supervision of an on-site attorney. This program provides students with many opportunities to gain professional lawyering skills and insights into various legal systems and professional aspects. They are also able to network with people in the legal field.
Pro Bono Program
The Pro Bono Program at the University of Wisconsin Law School provides students with opportunities to deliver legal services to underrepresented community members. The program helps students find placements in private and nonprofit law firms, legal aid groups, and other organizations where their pro bono work will be performed under direct attorney supervision.
Lawyering Skills
The Lawyering Skills course aims to help students develop the skills they need for effective law practice. The course provides simulations that allow students to practice oral communication, negotiations, writing for practice, and client counseling in a supervised setting. These skills are essential for the early years of law practice.
Quality of Life
It seems safe to say that the quality of life enjoyed by Wisconsin Law students is among the best in the nation. Madison is considered to be one of the most livable cities in America and houses a wide variety of bars, restaurants, and nightclubs at which students can pass their free time. If they wish to stay on campus, students can enjoy one of the biggest college party scenes in the nation. Also, during the fall semester, students participate in tailgating and other activities surrounding the school's powerhouse football team. Third-year law students partake in the tradition of running across the football field during the homecoming game. Further contributing to the quality of life of Wisconsin students is the plentiful and relatively affordable housing found throughout Madison, as well as the city's safety.
Employment Prospects & Bar Passage
The University of Wisconsin Law School continues to demonstrate strong post-graduate outcomes, with its Class of 2024 achieving excellent employment and licensure statistics. Within ten months of graduation, 93.7% of its 271 graduates secured employment, reflecting a highly competitive performance compared to the national law school average of approximately 90.6%. Of the 250 graduates employed full-time, 85.6% were placed in positions that required bar passage, underscoring the school's effectiveness in preparing students for traditional legal careers. Additionally, 7.4% of graduates found employment in J.D.-advantage roles—positions where a law degree provides a significant benefit but may not require bar licensure. This indicates the school's versatility in training students for both conventional legal practice and adjacent professional paths.
The school’s first-time bar passage rate for 2025 stood at a perfect 100%, with all seven reported first-time takers passing their respective state bar exams. While the sample size is modest, this result is especially notable when compared to the national average of approximately 77.3%, reinforcing the law school’s strong academic preparation. Students benefit from Wisconsin’s unique “diploma privilege” system as well, which allows graduates who complete their J.D. at UW Law and meet specific curriculum criteria to be admitted to the Wisconsin State Bar without sitting for the bar exam—one of only two states in the U.S. offering this route.
Further enhancing job prospects is the school’s practical curriculum, built around the “law-in-action” philosophy, which integrates real-world application with legal theory. This approach, combined with robust career services, large clinical programs, and strong ties to the legal community in Wisconsin and the broader Midwest, positions UW Law graduates for long-term professional success. Whether students aim for traditional law firm practice, public interest law, judicial clerkships, or compliance and consulting roles, the school’s employment outcomes reflect its commitment to both breadth and depth in legal education.
| Category | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Total Graduates | 271 |
| Employed (All Types) | 93.7% |
| Employed in Full-Time Positions | 250 |
| Employed in Bar Passage Required Jobs | 85.6% |
| Employed in J.D.-Advantage Roles | 7.4% |
| First-Time Bar Passage Rate (2025) | 100% |
| Number of First-Time Bar Takers | 7 |
| National Average Bar Passage (2025) | ~77.3% |
Employment data is based on outcomes reported 10 months after graduation. Bar passage data reflects first-time takers only.
Synopsis
Especially for Wisconsin and Minnesota residents who can attend the school at bargain rates, the University of Wisconsin Law School is a great place to earn a legal education. That said, any applicant would likely enjoy life in Madison and would benefit from the school's "law-in-action" approach, and those hoping to secure employment in the Midwest would be in a great position to do so as graduates of Wisconsin Law.
Contact information
University of Wisconsin-Madison
LAW SCHOOL
Admissions Office
975 Bascom Mall,
Madison, WI 53706
Phone: 608-262-2240
Email: info@law.wisc.edu
admissions@law.wisc.edu
https://www.law.wisc.edu/prospective/
Summary
| Established | 1868 |
| Location | Madison, WI |
| Dean | Dan Tokaji |
| 2025 US News Ranking | 28 |
| LSAT Median Score | 165 |
| GPA Median Score | 3.81 |
| Bar Passage Rate | 100% (2025) |
| Employment Rate | N/A (2025) |
| Cost | "$37,232 (in-state, full-time),
$53,928 (out-of-state, full-time)" |
| Average Debt | N/A |
| Application Deadline | April , 2025 |
Forum and Discussion
University of Wisconsin Law School Discussions
Law School Admissions Forums
Law Student Forums
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Reference
https://law.wisc.edu/
Rank #28
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