Law schools these days just make students prepare for capitalist economies that render help for corporate companies. The whole point of the legal profession is to give back to society. Still, since the advent of the capitalistic regime, few law schools have instigated the importance of social justice for oppressed communities.
If you plan to pursue law to fight for social injustice, you are already a hero. But how do you find out the right law schools that provide a great perspective on social justice legal jargon? Well, don’t worry, I have got you covered. In this article, I have enlisted the top 10 law schools primarily focused on social justice. The following law schools mentioned below are doing their part to prepare the next generation of attorneys who are ready to tackle racial injustice. So what are we waiting for? Let us fight for the cause!
Table of Contents
1. Howard University School of Law
Undoubtedly, Howard University School of Law is one of the best options to pursue a law school with a long history of social justice. This is the best place to study if you are looking for a diverse environment to learn racial inequalities and other historical events.
It is also to be noted that this law school is considered the first black law school in the US. This is also a first-class law school that will provide top-rated advocacy skills for every student attorney. The school’s Child Welfare Clinic is considered to be very popular in society.
Founded In: 1869
Tuition: $33,544 (before aid)
SAT Avg. : 1300
ACT Avg. : 31
Acceptance Rate: 35.3%
GPA: 3.8
Rank: #1
Contact: +1 202-806-8000
Financial Aid: Below are some of the best funding programs:
- Squire Patton Boggs Summer Fellowships- $5000- Educational Fund
- Racial Justice Sustained Impact Fellowship- $5000- Need-based Fund
Apply for Admissions
2. City University of New York School of Law
One of the reasons why City University of New York School of Law is famous is because of its Associate Dean Yvette Wilson-Barnes who has done a phenomenal job in improving the Race, Privilege and Diversity committee. The student involvement in social issues is prodigious.
The law school of CUNY is excellent for its top-rated clinics, where they help people with immigration, family law, gender, disability, and aging issues. They have a stellar reputation for their first-class faculty team, which has immense experience.
Founded In: 1983
Tuition: $18,980 (before aid)
SAT Avg. : 1320
ACT Avg. : 32
Acceptance Rate: 31.9%
GPA: 3.87
Rank: #2
Contact: +1 718-340-4200
Financial Aid: Below are some of the best funding programs:
- Breaking Barriers Scholarship- $2000- Educational Fund
Apply for Admissions
3. University of California Davis School of Law
Student-run journals and legal services clinics are some of the reasons why the University of California Davis School of Law is famous for its social justice and other racial inequalities. The school is also very prominent in giving practical approaches towards learning.
Public defender Brendon Woods and Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg, who was an ex senate, are a prominent alumnus of this top-class law school who has given back to society a lot. In fact, its law school building is named for civil rights icon Martin Luther King, Jr.
Founded In: 1965
Tuition: $52,500 (before aid)
SAT Avg. : 1290
ACT Avg. : 23
Acceptance Rate: 20%
GPA: 3.67
Rank: #3
Contact: +1 530-752-0243
Financial Aid: Below are some of the best funding programs:
- King Hall General Scholarship- $2500- Educational Fund
- Celestial Summer Dove Cassman Scholarship- $5000- Need based Fund
Apply for Admissions
4. Seattle University School of Law
Seattle University School of Law is a first-class law school that has raised a voice against police brutality and has always been a voice against social injustice. Students and alumni of Seattle University have in fact, sued the whole of Seattle city for its violence against peaceful protest.
Seattle University is one of 27 Jesuit universities in the nation, and moreover, it is also the top university in the US. The reason why Seattle School of law has been popular even during Covid 19 is for its first-class education online. This school is highly recommended.
Founded In: 1972
Tuition: $48,330 (before aid)
SAT Avg. : 1309
ACT Avg. : 29
Acceptance Rate: 65.2%
GPA: 3.56
Rank: #4
Contact: +1 206-398-4200
Financial Aid: Below are some of the best funding programs:
- Boerner Lustbader Access Admission Scholarship- Varies- Scholarship Fund
- Dean’s Diversity Scholarships- $10000- Educational Fund
Apply for Admissions
5. Columbia Law School
Columbia Law School is a first-class law school that offers exceptional coaching for students who are determined about their law careers. The reason why this has bagged this article is because of its ‘Social Justice Initiatives’ (SJI) program, which is very popular.
The school always creates a mentor-mentee relationship between faculties and the students who will guide them throughout their law career and internship opportunities, and research paper opportunities. The school’s pro bono program is also considered to be very helpful for downtrodden communities.
Founded In: 1858
Tuition: $55,916 (before aid)
SAT Avg. : 1340
ACT Avg. : 33
Acceptance Rate: 18.4%
GPA: 4.0
Rank: #5
Contact: +1 212-854-2640
Financial Aid: Below are some of the best funding programs:
- Jagdish Bhagwati Fellowship- $4000- Need-based Fund
- CPRL Lemann Scholar Award- Varies- Educational Fund
- Human Rights Fellowship- $2000- Need-based Fund
Apply for Admissions
6. Northeastern University School of Law
Located in the Northeastern part of the country, North-eastern University School of Law is one of the finest law schools that offers a holistic approach towards their rigorous curriculum towards law. In fact, The school offers a Public Interest Advocacy program but emphasizes social justice.
When it comes to public interest issues and social justice reasons, the school’s legal aid clinics will always be to the rescue. It is a great school with fantastic faculties that will create a close-knit community atmosphere where students can learn and grow.
Founded In: 1898
Tuition: $42,180 (before aid)
SAT Avg. : 1230
ACT Avg. : 31
Acceptance Rate: 41.5%
GPA: 3.78
Rank: #6
Contact: +1 617-373-2200
Financial Aid: N/A
Apply for Admissions
7. Berkeley Law – University of California
Their whole interest in public issues is phenomenal. The school has funded a lot of organizations for fighting against injustice. Further, The school also boasts the Thelton E. Henderson Center for Social Justice for engaging the students in a more practical point of view.
When it comes to immigration, racial injustice, and rent laws, the school’s law clinic has done a tremendous job in giving students the opportunity to enter into practical legal jargon. The research in this school is phenomenal and provides a lot of information in the legal field.
Founded In: 1894
Tuition: $52,245 (before aid)
SAT Avg. : 1290
ACT Avg. : 24
Acceptance Rate: 20.2%
GPA: 3.78
Rank: #7
Contact: 510-643-1367
Financial Aid: Below are some of the best funding programs:
- Billie & Adrian Kragen Scholarship- $30,000- Need based Fund
- Sho & Masako F. Sato Fellowship- $12,000- Educational Fund
Apply for Admissions
8. Stanford Law School
Stanford Law School is a first-class law school that offers a phenomenal law curriculum focused on social justice. It is highly difficult to get into this top-rated university as the acceptance rate is as low as 6%.
The John and Terry Levin Center for Public Service and Public Interest Law is very popular for its top-class services to society. The faculty and staff will constantly help you towards achieving your career path, and moreover, the school has fantastic alumni who are focused on social justice.
Founded In: 1893
Tuition: $47,460 (before aid)
SAT Avg. : 1220
ACT Avg. : 22
Acceptance Rate: 9.1%
GPA: 4.0
Rank: #8
Contact: +1 650-723-2465
Financial Aid: Currently there are no scholarships offered by this university.
Apply for Admissions
9. Vanderbilt Law School
Vanderbilt Law School is a great school if you are looking for a law school that will constantly give you a practical approach to learning legal concepts. The George Barrett Social Justice Program is constantly focused on social justice, which is considered to be the heart of Law.
One of the reasons why the school is popular is because they have a Social Justice Reading Group too, which encourages people to fight for injustice. Further, The program offers a variety of courses and clinics with different focuses that are primal for becoming a first-class student advocate.
Founded In: 1874
Tuition: $62,230 (before aid)
SAT Avg. : 1321
ACT Avg. : 33
Acceptance Rate: 24.4%
GPA: 4.1
Rank: #9
Contact: +1 615-322-2615
Financial Aid: Below are some of the best funding programs:
- Raymonde I. Paul Scholarship in International Legal Studies- Varies- Educational Fund
Apply for Admissions
10. Loyola Law School – Los Angeles
Loyola Law School, located in Los Angeles, is a fine college to do your law degree. Moreover, it has a history of public interest commitment and was the first school in California to institute a pro-bono service requirement into its programs.
The school’s alumni are some of the major senates, public defense lawyers who have done tremendous work for social injustices. In addition, the school funds public interest scholarships, grants, and fellowships in its effort to train committed social justice lawyers.
Founded In: 1920
Tuition: $55,110 (before aid)
SAT Avg. : 1310
ACT Avg. : 32
Acceptance Rate: 36.3%
GPA: 3.78
Rank: #10
Contact: +1 213-736-1000
Financial Aid: Below are some of the best funding programs:
- Ami Silverman Endowment Fund- $1,500- Need-Based Fund
- Association of Business Trial Lawyers Scholarship- $1,000- Educational Fund