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University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law
The University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law (UDC Law) is the law school of the University of the District of Columbia, a public historically Black land-grant university in Washington, D.C. It was established in 1986 and is named after David A. Clarke, a civil rights leader and former Chair of the Council of the District of Columbia.
Contents
History
The University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke, School of Law, is a result of merging two primary schools: the Antioch School of Law and the District of Columbia School of Law. The Antioch School was founded in 1972 by Edgar S. and Jean Camper Cahn, who strove to advance the rights of minorities and those with low income. Antioch was also the first school to initiate a comprehensive clinical legal education model, which is now followed in most law schools around the country. The District of Columbia School of Law was established in 1986 when Antioch University decided to close its 32 units, including the School of Law. This new school retained much of what made the Antioch School so successful, including its mission, curriculum, clinical programs, and personnel. The District of Columbia School of Law was awarded provisional ABA accreditation in 1991 and rapidly grew to almost 300 students. In 1996 the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law was established through a merger between these two schools, carrying on their traditions while continuing to take steps to improve the quality of legal education. The school offers a wide range of degree programs, including a Juris Doctor (J.D.) program and certificate and dual-degree programs. Through its clinics and externships, students can gain practical experience while contributing to their local community. In addition, the UDC David A. Clarke School of Law has several centers, institutes, and organizations dedicated to the study and practice of law. The school is also home to several journals, including the D.C. Journal of Gender & the Law, an essential academic publication focused on gender-related legal issues in the District of Columbia and beyond. With its strong commitment to social justice and public interest, the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law is ensuring that its students are well-prepared for success in their legal careers.
Admissions
They encourage applicants to apply early and begin the admissions process as soon as possible. Prospective students are encouraged to explore the resources available on their website, including information about our curriculum, faculty, student services, and financial aid options.
Statistics
| Admissions Stats | ||
| Class of: | 2023-2024 | 2024-2025 |
| 25th - 50th - 75th percentile LSAT | 147-151-153 | 158-150-154 |
| 25th - 50th - 75th percentile GPA | 2.92-3.27-3.55 | 2.81-3.18-3.51 |
| Acceptance rate | 50.3% | 37.1% |
| Applications received | 530 | 620 |
| Acceptances | 235 | 230 |
| Matriculants | 79 | 58 |
For the 2024–2025 admissions cycle (Class of 2024–2025) at the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law, the school reported a 25th–50th–75th percentile LSAT range of 148–150–154, showing that the middle half of admitted students typically scored in the high 140s to mid 150s, with a median score of 150. The school also listed a 25th–50th–75th percentile undergraduate GPA range of 2.81–3.18–3.51, meaning the typical incoming student had a GPA around 3.18, with many admitted applicants falling between the high 2.0s and mid 3.0s. In terms of selectivity, UDC Law reported an acceptance rate of 37.1%, which reflects a moderately selective admissions process compared with many other law schools. During that cycle, the school received 620 total applications and extended 230 offers of admission. Ultimately, 58 students matriculated, meaning they enrolled and formed the incoming class, highlighting a smaller class size that may allow for closer academic support, more individual faculty interaction, and a more community-centered learning environment.
Application Dates
Applications to the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law are accepted for fall enrollment only and are submitted through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). The school reviews completed applications on a rolling basis. For the 2026 entering class, the JD program lists a priority application deadline of February 15, 2026, with a regular application deadline of June 1, 2026.
Requirements
To apply for first-year admission to the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law, applicants must submit all the following: the online application for First-Year JD students found on LSAC; a non-refundable $40.00 application fee; a valid LSAT score; letters of recommendation; a personal statement; a justice essay; and a resume or CV.
Optional Addendum
Applicants may also submit an optional addendum to provide the Admission Committee with further information regarding any educational gaps, low LSAT scores, poor grades, or character and fitness concerns.
Character and Fitness
Applicants must also answer character and fitness questions upon submitting their application. If the applicant answers ‘yes’ to any of these questions, they must attach a detailed addendum.
Deadlines
For the J.D. program (fall entry), the school lists an application priority deadline of February 15, 2026, and a regular application deadline of June 1, 2026. For transfer applicants, the fall transfer application deadline is June 30, and the spring transfer application deadline is November 30.
Tuition
The University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law publishes tuition rates that vary depending on whether a student is classified as a District of Columbia resident or a non-resident. Like most public law schools, UDC Law’s tuition structure reflects its public mission and the university’s residency-based pricing model. Tuition is typically listed as an annual rate for full-time students and may be published separately for part-time enrollment, with additional mandatory university and program fees assessed each academic year.
For the most current academic year, UDC Law provides official tuition and fee information through the University of the District of Columbia’s published cost schedules and law school financial information pages. The school also notes that costs beyond tuition, including books, supplies, housing, transportation, and personal expenses, are estimated as part of the total cost of attendance used for financial aid calculations.
Cost of Attendance
The University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law publishes a cost of attendance (COA) budget that estimates the total amount a law student may need for one academic year, including tuition and required fees, as well as typical living and educational expenses such as housing, food, books and supplies, transportation, and personal expenses. The school notes that these figures are used by the Office of Financial Aid to determine a student’s financial need, and the standard budget is generally based on residency classification, including D.C. resident, D.C. metro resident, and non-resident categories.
| Category | Estimated Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees (D.C. Resident, Full-Time) | $13,438 | Based on published per-semester resident tuition rates and required fees |
| Tuition and Fees (Non-Resident, Full-Time) | $25,873 | Based on published per-semester non-resident tuition rates and required fees |
| Living Expenses (Room and Board) | $22,700 | Estimated housing and food for nine months |
| Books and Supplies | $4,000 | Estimated textbooks, course materials, and supplies |
| Personal Expenses | $4,000 | Estimated personal and miscellaneous costs |
| Estimated Total (D.C. Resident, Full-Time) | $44,138 | Includes tuition/fees + estimated living expenses |
| Estimated Total (Non-Resident, Full-Time) | $56,573 | Includes tuition/fees + estimated living expenses |
Financial Aid
The University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law provides financial aid through a combination of federal and institutional programs, including need-based assistance, merit-based scholarships, and federal student loans. Students typically apply for federal financial aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is used to determine eligibility for federal loan programs and other forms of aid. The law school’s financial aid office also publishes an estimated cost of attendance budget, which is used to calculate financial need and establish borrowing limits for eligible students.
In addition to federal loan options, UDC Law offers institutional scholarships and may provide grants or other funding depending on available resources and eligibility criteria. Financial aid awards can vary based on factors such as residency status, enrollment intensity (full-time or part-time), and the total cost of attendance for the academic year. The school also provides information on financial literacy, budgeting, and aid requirements, including academic progress standards that students must meet to maintain eligibility for certain financial aid programs.
Scholarships and Grants
The University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law offers a variety of merit-based scholarships to its incoming students to recognize their outstanding academic and non-academic achievements while providing financial assistance regarding covering their tuition fees during their first year of law school.
These scholarships are designed to help offset the cost of tuition for entering students and must be re-applied for on an annual basis. It should be noted, however, that students' combined scholarships can stay within their direct tuition costs.
The University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke, School of Law, offers several different types of scholarships tailored to the needs of its students, including but not limited to:
• Academic Achievement Scholarship • Community Service Scholarship • Diversity Scholarships • Leadership Scholarships • Public Service Scholarships
The University is committed to supporting and recognizing the achievements of all its law students. It encourages incoming prospective students to apply for these scholarships and take advantage of the financial relief they can provide. It is truly an excellent opportunity to make law school more affordable and accessible.
Academics
Because of the small size of the average incoming class, UDC typically creates a single section composed of about 70-80 students. The school has 42 total teaching faculty members, a little under half of whom are full-time professors, and a student-to-faculty ratio of 12.9 to 1. All first-year students take the same schedule of requisite courses, including torts, civil procedure, criminal law, property, constitutional law, contracts, and legal writing. Students have said the workload is heavy and the grading curve is difficult. About 14% of first-year students do not return for their second year-a noticeably high attrition rate.
Clinics
The University of the District of Columbia, David A. Clarke School of Law, has an excellent reputation for providing students with high-quality clinical legal training. According to US News and World Report's Best Law Schools 2023 rankings, UDC Law is currently ranked 5th in the United States for the same.
UDC Law offers an array of clinical programs to meet the needs of students. Their clinics allow aspiring lawyers to gain practical, hands-on experience in various areas of law, including family law, criminal defense, immigration law, and appellate advocacy. Students can learn from experienced faculty and other legal professionals who serve as supervisors in each clinic.
Employment Prospects & Bar Passage
The University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law publishes graduate outcomes through standard reporting formats, including employment results and first-time bar passage performance. These indicators are commonly used to evaluate how graduates transition into the legal profession and how successfully they meet licensure requirements upon completion of the J.D. program.
Employment Prospects (2025)
For the Class of 2024 (reported March 17, 2025), the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law reported that 55 of 63 graduates were employed in some capacity at the time of reporting. Of those employed, 34 graduates were working in bar passage–required or anticipated positions, while 13 were employed in J.D. advantage roles. The same report listed 4 graduates as unemployed and seeking employment, 1 unemployed and not seeking employment, and 1 graduate with unknown employment status, reflecting outcomes measured approximately 10 months after graduation using ABA reporting standards.
Employment outcomes for the Class of 2024 indicated a concentration in public-service roles. The report listed 16 graduates employed in government and 17 in public-interest positions, along with employment in law firms and solo practice (13 graduates combined across firm sizes) and in business and industry (4 graduates). The top employment locations were the District of Columbia (24 graduates), Maryland (10 graduates), and Virginia (10 graduates), reflecting the school’s regional placement patterns.
Bar Passage (2025)
Bar passage outcomes are reported for first-time test takers and compared against statewide or jurisdiction-wide performance benchmarks for graduates of ABA-approved law schools. These results provide a standardized measure of how graduates perform on licensing exams and how the school compares across the jurisdictions where its graduates most often sit for the bar.
According to the 2025 ABA Bar Admission Outcomes Report for the Class of 2024, the school reported a 65.57% first-time bar pass rate, with 40 passers out of 61 first-time takers, alongside an ABA weighted average pass rate of 80.64% across jurisdictions where UDC Law graduates sat for the exam. The report indicated that the school’s first-time bar pass rate was 15.07 percentage points below the ABA weighted average for the same jurisdictions.
In the District of Columbia, the jurisdiction with the highest number of test takers, the school reported 32 first-time takers and 16 passers, resulting in a 50.00% first-time pass rate, compared with an 83.41% pass rate for graduates of ABA-approved law schools in that jurisdiction. In the combined remaining jurisdictions category, the report listed 16 takers and 7 passers for a 43.75% pass rate, compared with a 72.07% average for ABA-approved law school graduates in those jurisdictions.
Quality of Life
The University of the District of Columbia, David A. Clarke School of Law, is a commuter school located in the heart of Washington, DC. With easy access to nearby parking and a metro subway station, this top law school is ideal for those seeking legal education in an urban setting. Students can also take advantage of the city's many cultural offerings, including restaurants, bars, museums, monuments, and landmarks.
The campus itself is beautiful, with modern buildings and well-maintained grounds. The area surrounding the school is described as safe and welcoming by students and faculty alike. And what's more, those interested in interning during their studies can take advantage of the school's prime location in the nation's capital. Here, students can intern at government organizations and nonprofits, getting a real-world taste of the legal world. With so many benefits to studying at UDC David A. Clarke School of Law, there's no doubt it is an excellent choice for aspiring lawyers looking to get ahead.
Synopsis
Competition for legal jobs in Washington is fierce even at the nation's top schools. Unless you already have a guaranteed job after law school, it may be an unwise investment to spend any amount of money on a UDC J.D.-let alone $150,000 or $180,000-as its employment numbers are atrocious and its bar passage statistics are unavailable.
Contact Information
UDC David A. Clarke School of Law
4340 Connecticut Ave NW
Washington, DC 20008
Phone: 202-274-7400
Email: lawadmission@udc.edu
http://www.law.udc.edu
Summary
| Established | 1972 |
| Location | Washington, DC 20008 |
| Dean | Angela Gilmore |
| 2025 US News Ranking | 178th-195th |
| LSAT Median Score | 150 |
| GPA Median Score | 3.18 |
| Bar Passage Rate | 47.9% (2025) |
| Employment Rate | N/A (2025) |
| Cost | "$13,438 (in-state, full-time),
$25,874 (out-of-state, full-time)" |
| Average Debt | $126,651 |
| Application Deadline | June 1, 2025 |
Forum and Discussion
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Reference
LSD Law
Ranked 178-195
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
