Top Law Schools in New York: Programs, Rankings & Scholarships
New York is one of the most influential legal hubs in the world, home to some of the top-ranked law schools in the U.S.. Whether you’re interested in corporate law, public interest law, international law, or intellectual property, New York offers a wide range of prestigious law schools with strong bar passage rates, networking opportunities, and specialized programs.
This guide provides an in-depth look at New York’s top law schools, including JD programs, LL.M. options, bar passage rates, employment outcomes, and scholarship opportunities.
Top New York Law Schools
Best Law Schools in New York
Columbia Law School
Location: New York City
Columbia Law is one of the most prestigious law schools in the world, consistently ranked in the top five nationally. It offers an exceptional corporate law program and has deep connections to Wall Street and global law firms.
Official Website
Scholarships & Financial Aid
New York University (NYU) School of Law
Location: New York City
NYU Law is particularly strong in international law, tax law, and public interest law. It has a robust alumni network, top-ranked faculty, and numerous clinical programs that provide real-world experience.
Official Website
Scholarships & Financial Aid
Cornell Law School
Location: Ithaca, NY
Part of the Ivy League, Cornell Law has small class sizes, a rigorous academic curriculum, and a high bar passage rate. The school offers global law programs and strong ties to BigLaw firms and federal clerkships.
Official Website
Scholarships & Financial Aid
Fordham University School of Law
Location: New York City
Fordham Law is known for its strong programs in business law, intellectual property, and international law. Located in Manhattan, it provides direct access to NYC’s top law firms, courts, and Fortune 500 companies.
Official Website
Scholarships & Financial Aid
St. John’s University School of Law
Location: Queens, NY
St. John’s Law offers affordable tuition, high bar passage rates, and a strong focus on trial advocacy and real estate law. Its graduates frequently secure positions in NYC law firms and government agencies.
Official Website
Scholarships & Financial Aid
Yeshiva University (Cardozo School of Law)
Location: New York City
Cardozo Law is a top choice for students interested in intellectual property, entertainment law, and alternative dispute resolution. It has a highly regarded Innocence Project and strong ties to the media and fashion industries.
Official Website
Scholarships & Financial Aid
Brooklyn Law School
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Brooklyn Law is known for its flexible part-time JD program and strong public service law curriculum. It has an extensive alumni network within New York’s legal community and a high job placement rate in NYC firms.
Official Website
Scholarships & Financial Aid
Hofstra University (Maurice A. Deane School of Law)
Location: Hempstead, NY
Hofstra Law has a strong focus on trial advocacy, family law, and health law. The school is well-connected to Long Island’s legal market and offers numerous clinical and externship programs.
Official Website
Scholarships & Financial Aid
Albany Law School
Location: Albany, NY
Albany Law is the oldest independent law school in the U.S. and has strong connections to New York’s government and public policy sectors. It offers high job placement rates in government, criminal law, and administrative law.
Official Website
Scholarships & Financial Aid
Syracuse University College of Law
Location: Syracuse, NY
Syracuse Law is known for its nationally recognized trial advocacy and disability law programs. The school has a flexible online JD program and strong job placement in Upstate New York.
Official Website
Scholarships & Financial Aid
City University of New York (CUNY) School of Law
Location: Long Island City, NY
CUNY Law is the top-ranked public interest law school in the nation, with a strong focus on social justice, immigration law, and human rights law. It has affordable tuition and strong bar passage rates.
Official Website
Scholarships & Financial Aid
How to Choose the Right Law School in New York
Consider these factors when selecting a law school:
- Rankings & Reputation – Columbia, NYU, and Cornell are nationally ranked top law schools, while Fordham, Cardozo, and St. John’s offer strong specialized programs.
- Location & Networking – Schools in Manhattan (Columbia, NYU, Fordham, Cardozo) provide direct access to top law firms, financial institutions, and government agencies.
- Tuition & Scholarships – Public schools like CUNY Law offer more affordable tuition, while private schools like Columbia and NYU provide generous financial aid packages.
- Bar Passage & Employment – Schools with high bar passage rates and job placement rates (such as Columbia, Cornell, and NYU) provide strong career prospects in top-tier firms.
Final Thoughts
New York is home to some of the best law schools in the country, offering world-class legal education, specialization options, and direct access to the NYC legal market. Whether you aim to work in corporate law, human rights, government, or criminal defense, New York’s law schools provide excellent opportunities.
For more information, explore each school’s official website and financial aid page for details on admissions, scholarships, and career services.
Graduating?
Ready to start your career?
Are you a new graduate looking for work?
Are you a new graduate looking for work? Headhunters Directory is an online directory of headhunters, recruiters, and employment agencies in the USA.
Connect with the top New York recruiters and headhunters when you are in active job search mode.