Law school rankings in the United States

Law school rankings are a specific subset of college and university rankings dealing specifically with law schools. Like college and university rankings, law school rankings can be based on empirical data, subjectively-perceived qualitative data (often survey research of educators, law professors, lawyers, students, or others), or some combination of these.

Such rankings are often consulted by prospective students as they choose which schools they will apply to or which school they will attend. The most popular ranking of law schools is the annual U.S. News & World Report "Top Graduate Schools" listing, where Yale Law School has ranked first every year. Beyond this popular list, there are numerous other law school rankings:

Criticisms of rankings

The American Bar Association (ABA), has consistently refused to support or participate in law school rankings. Likewise, the Law School Admission Council has shown opposition to rankings. The Association of American Law Schools has also voiced complaints; their executive director Carl Monk went so far as to say "these rankings are a misleading and deceptive, profit-generating commercial enterprise that compromises U.S. News and...
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