Western State College of Law
Western State College of Law is a well-respected institution that has been around for over 50 years. The school has produced many successful alums, many of whom work in the legal field. Some notable examples include 150 judges in California and 15% of the Deputy Public Defenders and District Attorneys in Orange County. Western State College of Law is an excellent choice for those interested in a legal career.
Contents
History
Founded in 1966, Western State College of Law is a private law school in Orange County, California. It is one of the oldest law schools in the state and has a very good bar pass rate. Alumni are well-represented in the legal profession, with many working as public defenders or district attorneys. The school provides practical experience and access to alumni practitioners who can help graduates transition into the job market.
Their community is diverse and includes persons from a variety of social backgrounds. Their mission commits them to pursuing diversity, and they strive to offer each person the opportunity to develop their abilities fully. Barriers to the development of any individual hold us all back. They work together to break down these barriers and enable everyone to reach their full potential.
Admissions
Western State College of Law’s 2025 admissions process is designed to help prospective students understand their fit for a practice-ready legal education, with multiple application pathways and supportive guidance throughout the cycle. Applicants typically submit a completed application with academic transcripts, LSAT or GRE scores (if required under the current policy), a personal statement, and letters of recommendation, with admissions reviewers focusing on both academic indicators and the applicant’s broader story, goals, and potential to succeed in law school. Western State also encourages candidates to highlight relevant work experience, community involvement, and resilience, especially if their path to law has included challenges or nontraditional experiences, since these details can strengthen an application beyond numbers alone.
Statistics
| Admissions Stats | ||
| Class of: | 2023-2024 | 2024-2025 |
| 25th - 50th - 75th percentile LSAT | 150-152-154 | 149-151-154 |
| 25th - 50th - 75th percentile GPA | 2.91-3.16-3.38 | 2.97-3.26-3.56 |
| Acceptance rate | 44.6% | 48.5% |
| Applications received | 782 | 782 |
| Acceptances | 353 | 353 |
| Matriculants | 116 | -- |
For Western State College of Law’s 2024–2025 (2025) admissions statistics, the LSAT middle range (25th–50th–75th percentiles) was 149–151–154, and the GPA middle range was 2.97–3.26–3.56, showing slight improvement in GPA compared to the prior year. The school reported an acceptance rate of 48.5%, with 782 applications received and 353 offers of admission made during the cycle. Matriculant data for the 2024–2025 class were not listed; the prior year recorded 116 matriculants, suggesting that final enrollment totals for 2025 may still be pending or unavailable in this dataset.
Application Eligibility
Applicants must have a four-year undergraduate degree from an accredited College to be eligible to apply to law school. The degree must be equivalent to an American four-year degree to be accepted by the Law School Credential Assembly Service. Applicants who have been academically disqualified or dismissed from another law school may not restart as a first-year law student for at least one year.
Application Requirements
Western State College of Law’s application requirements typically include a completed law school application through the designated application service, official undergraduate transcripts, and a personal statement that explains your motivation for pursuing law and what you’ll bring to the program. Most applicants also submit letters of recommendation (usually one to two) from professors or professional supervisors who can speak to your academic ability, character, and readiness for legal study. Depending on the admissions policy for the current cycle, you may be required to submit LSAT scores (and in some cases GRE scores may be accepted if allowed), along with a resume that highlights your work experience, leadership, and community involvement. Some applicants may also include an addendum to explain any gaps, low grades, or life circumstances that affected academic performance, and international applicants may need to submit proof of English proficiency and evaluated transcripts if their degree was earned outside the United States.
Application Deadline
For the 2025–2026 application cycle at Western State College of Law (Westcliff University), the key application deadlines are April 1, 2026 (priority deadline for Fall admission) and July 15, 2026 (final deadline for Fall admission). If you’re applying for the Spring 2026 start, the deadlines are October 1 (priority) and December 1 (final). Even though Western State uses rolling admissions, applying by the priority deadlines is strongly recommended because it improves your chances for earlier review and stronger scholarship consideration.
Transfer Applicants
The college welcomes students in good standing at other ABA-accredited or California Bar Examiners law schools. Transfer students must have grades from one year of law school to apply. However, applicants who have been academically disqualified or dismissed from another ABA-accredited or California Bar Examiners law school may not restart as a first-year law student until one year (two full semesters) after the date of disqualification or dismissal.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Western State College of Law’s tuition and fees for the 2025–2026 academic year are listed at $55,648, and students should also plan for additional cost-of-attendance expenses like housing, food, transportation, books, and personal costs, which many estimates place at around $31,346 in living expenses depending on your situation. This means the full annual cost to attend can land well above tuition alone, so it’s important to budget beyond just what you’ll pay the school directly, especially if you’ll be relocating or reducing work hours while enrolled.
When it comes to financial aid, Western State’s Student Finance Office supports students through a mix of federal loans, scholarships, and funding guidance, helping applicants understand the best way to cover both tuition and living costs. Many law students rely on federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans and Graduate PLUS Loans, though PLUS loans require a credit check and interest begins accruing as soon as funds are disbursed, which can affect long-term repayment. Because scholarships and aid packages can vary widely, applying early and staying in contact with the finance office can make a meaningful difference in what you receive and how manageable your overall borrowing feels.
Cost of Attendance
Western State College of Law’s cost of attendance goes beyond tuition, covering both direct school charges and the everyday living expenses you’ll need to manage while you’re in law school. For the 2025–2026 academic year, tuition and fees are $55,648, and when you factor in common living costs like housing, food, transportation, and personal expenses, the estimated annual total rises significantly. This full cost-of-attendance estimate matters because it’s typically the number financial aid offices use to determine how much loan funding you’re eligible to receive, so it directly affects how you plan your budget and borrowing.
Even if you’re trying to keep expenses tight, law school life often comes with extra costs that are easy to underestimate, like course materials, exam prep resources, professional clothing for interviews, and basic personal expenses. If you’re relocating, commuting long distances, or cutting back on work hours, the gap between tuition and total yearly cost can feel even larger. Planning ahead, comparing your lifestyle options, and understanding the full breakdown early can help you avoid financial stress once the semester starts.
| Cost Category | Estimated Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees | $55,648 |
| Living Expenses (Housing, Food, Transportation, Personal) | $31,346 |
| Estimated Total Cost of Attendance | $86,994 |
Loans
Student loans are borrowed money that you have to pay back with interest. They are a legal obligation, so it's important to understand the responsibilities of borrowing and what you'll have to repay. You must meet certain eligibility requirements to borrow, and the amount you can borrow is based on the school's cost of attendance and other financial aid/scholarships you receive. There is a loan fee, and interest accrues when the loan is disbursed. The borrower is responsible for paying the interest during all periods, and if any interest isn't paid, it will be capitalized (added to the principal amount of your loan). You must complete entrance counseling and a Master Promissory Note before you can receive a student loan, and you're required to complete an exit interview before you graduate or leave school.
Law School Culture
Justice, inclusion, and understanding are essential for the professional world. However, mistrust and bias can often get in the way of these things. The school work must eliminate these things from their profession to create a more just and inclusive environment. This is something they strive for in their law school community. They encourage everyone's input and participation to create a better future for all.
Freedom of expression is important because it allows for communication and understanding between people. It also allows individuals to pursue knowledge and growth. This freedom is limited by time, place, and respect for others, but within those bounds, anyone can express any idea they have and disagree with others.
They believe that everyone in their community deserves to feel safe and secure. They will not tolerate any type of discrimination or intimidation, and they will stand up against any acts of incivility. They are proud of the diversity of their community and resolve to celebrate their differences. They choose to be there and accept these values as a condition of learning and working at Western State College of Law.
Classroom and Faculty
The Western State tradition of bringing practical experience into the classroom is important because it helps students learn how the law applies in real life. Classes in business law, criminal law, family practice, immigration law, and real estate practice provide certified practical experience. Faculty with backgrounds as practicing attorneys bring real-world cases and documents into the classroom, teaching students the practical application of the law.
Academics and Curriculum
Law school is the best place to start your legal career. Here, you will find faculty and staff invested in your professional development. They provide individual guidance and access to a wide range of opportunities in the legal field so that you can find your niche and develop your skills. These opportunities, such as particular areas of study, externships, Law Review, Moot Court, Mock Trial, or Negotiations, will help you gain practical experience and hone your lawyering skills. Earning a certificate in a specific area of law will demonstrate to employers that you are specially prepared and focused in that area.
The Juris Doctor degree program at our law school requires a minimum of 88 units. The core courses are required, while others are recommended or elective. The program can be completed in as little as three years of full-time or four years of part-time study. Full-time students typically enroll for 15 units each semester and don't have to take summer classes. Part-time students take 9 or 10 units each semester and normally five units in the summer to complete the program. It's possible to take additional units in the summer session if needed. Students in good standing can petition to switch from full-time to part-time or vice versa before the start of the academic year, which will affect their course load and time to complete the degree.
First Year Experience
The first-year curriculum at law school includes Introduction to Legal Methods, an introductory academic and practical skills course designed to provide 1L students with the opportunity to develop skills needed to succeed in law school and beyond. Their small class sizes, team-based collaborative learning model, and supportive full-time faculty set their program apart and give students a unique opportunity to grow as professionals from their first day of class. Students can practice and hone their skills based on individualized feedback and grow as professionals in an encouraging and supportive environment. The skills students can develop and master in our program include strategies to use their learning style to their advantage, case reading and briefing skills, classroom preparation and participation skills, legal analysis skills, exam techniques, writing and organizational skills, and the development of professional values.
Externships
Western State offers a variety of placement options for students, which can be matched to fit their personal goals, experience, academic standing, and expectations. Students receive academic credit and individual supervisor feedback for their legal work. Every student is encouraged and has the opportunity to participate in one or more externships during their time in law school.
In addition to the time spent in their placement, student externs also meet weekly in an on-campus seminar to debrief their experiences and gain a deeper understanding of the functions and responsibilities of attorneys, judges, and other legal personnel.
Externships Benefits
An externship is a course that allows students to be placed in an approved work setting. To enroll in an externship, students must have a GPA of at least 2.0. Students cannot enroll in two externships simultaneously but can take more than one externship in different semesters with the permission of the Director of the Externship Program. Students must repeat the accompanying seminar to be allowed to repeat an externship.
Moot Court
The Honors Moot Court Team is based on the student's written brief and performance in the 1L Moot Court Competition. These students take an Advanced Appellate Advocacy course where they can further explore the procedural and substantive aspects of appellate practice and prepare to compete in moot court competitions. In the Advanced Appellate Advocacy course, students work on an Appellate Brief based on a case currently on appeal at the United States Supreme Court. During the last week of class, they present a 12-minute Final Oral Argument before a panel of judges. These students may represent Western State at local and national moot court competitions.
Law Journal
The Western State Law Review is a student-run legal journal that publishes articles relating to California law or federal law that substantially impact California. The publication is distributed in print and online (at LexisNexis, Westlaw, and HeinOnline) to practitioners and schools worldwide. It draws heavily on California lawyers’ work and provides opportunities to build connections with the practicing bar that can lead to important work after graduation. In addition to publishing at least two journals a year, the Law Review routinely puts on a symposium, inviting speakers from across the country to debate topics such as the legalization of marijuana and the NSA’s spying program. The symposium is open to the public, and lawyers, judges, and interested citizens from throughout the state come to engage and analyze the complicated issues of the day. Law Review membership is a prestigious honor, and students should strive to become eligible to be part of this nationally recognized organization.
Employment Prospects & Bar Passage
Western State College of Law’s 2025 employment prospects reflect a strong overall placement picture based on its most recent reported outcomes. For the Class of 2024 (the latest available data published during 2025 reporting), 93.4% of graduates were employed, and among those working, 60.56% held roles where bar admission was required or anticipated, while 29.57% worked in JD Advantage positions where a law degree provides value even without requiring bar passage. This suggests that most graduates are finding legal or law-related roles, with the largest share moving into positions tied directly to practicing law, and a meaningful portion building careers where legal training supports broader professional work.
For 2025 bar passage and bar admission performance, Western State highlights encouraging results in its published bar outcomes and first-time taker performance. The school reported that in the February 2025 California Bar Exam, 88.2% of first-time takers passed (15 of 17 graduates), exceeding statewide and ABA-accredited law school first-time pass averages for that exam cycle. In addition, the school’s ABA bar admission reporting explains how graduates are tracked across first-time outcomes and the two-year ultimate admission results, including alternative pathways to licensure beginning in the newer reporting format. Together, these outcomes show that Western State graduates are not only securing employment at a high rate but also demonstrating competitive bar exam performance in at least one major administration cycle.
Quality of Life
The Western State campus is in Irvine, a suburban city in Orange County. It is close to the area's legal, technology, finance, and business centers and has access to opportunities at nearby courts, private firms, public agencies, and businesses. Attractive residential communities also surround the location. The climate and beauty of Southern California make it a desirable place to study and work.
Synopsis
The law school experience can be very demanding, and sometimes students need a bit of extra support. The Disabled Student Services office is here to provide accommodations for any qualified students with disabilities. This office complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act, so they are committed to ensuring that all students have a positive learning experience.
Contact Information
Western State College of Law
Admissions Office
16715 Von Karman #100
Irvine, CA 92606
Phone: (714) 459-1166
Email: adm@wsulaw.edu
Summary
| Established | 1966 |
| Location | Irvine, CA 92606 |
| Dean | Marisa Cianciarulo |
| 2025 US News Ranking | 178th-195th |
| LSAT Median Score | 151 |
| GPA Median Score | 3.26 |
| Bar Passage Rate | 58.5% (2025) |
| Employment Rate | N/A (2025) |
| Cost | "$53,288 full-time,
$35,731 part-time" |
| Average Debt | $108,309 |
| Application Deadline | 15-July-2025 |
Forum and Discussion
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Reference
BCG Attorney's Advice for Associates
LSD Law
Ranked 178-195
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
Guide to Fee Waivers
