If you want to study law in the United States, New York is one of the most powerful places to do it.
Major law firms handle billion-dollar deals here. Federal courts decide cases that shape national policy. Financial regulation, corporate law, public defense, and international disputes all operate in the same legal market. For law students, that means internships during the school year, clerkships, and direct exposure to one of the most competitive hiring environments in the country.
But law school is expensive, and outcomes vary sharply depending on where you enroll. Some schools consistently place graduates in major firms and federal clerkships. Others focus on public interest work or regional practice. Tuition can range from under ten thousand dollars per year to more than eighty thousand.
This ranking breaks down New York’s leading law schools using current data on admissions, cost, reputation, and job outcomes so you can see what each path realistically offers.
New York Law Schools Ranking
| New York Rank | Law School | Location | National Rank (Research & Teaching, THE 2026) | National Rank (Job Outcomes, ATL 2025) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York University School of Law | New York City | 2 | 8 |
| 2 | Columbia University School of Law | New York City | 3 | 10 |
| 3 | Cornell Law School | Ithaca, New York | 14 | 18 |
| 4 | Fordham University School of Law | New York City | Not Ranked in THE 2026 | 38 |
| 5 | Syracuse University College of Law | Syracuse, New York | Band 201–250 (THE 2026) | Not Ranked in ATL Top 50 |
| 6 | Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law (Yeshiva University) | New York City | Not Ranked in THE 2026 | Not Ranked in ATL Top 50 |
| 7 | St. John’s University School of Law | Queens, New York | Not Ranked in THE 2026 | Not Ranked in ATL Top 50 |
| 8 | Brooklyn Law School | Brooklyn, New York | Not Ranked in THE 2026 | Not Ranked in ATL Top 50 |
| 9 | CUNY School of Law | Queens, New York | Not Ranked in THE 2026 | Not Ranked in ATL Top 50 |
| 10 | Albany Law School | Albany, New York | Not Ranked in THE 2026 | Not Ranked in ATL Top 50 |
Note: National Rank (Research and Teaching, 2026) uses the Times Higher Education US law schools list dated January 21, 2026. National Rank (Job Outcomes, 2025) uses the Above the Law outcomes-focused ranking, referenced via the 7Sage rankings database.
New York University (NYU) School of Law
New York University (NYU) School of Law
NYU is one of the few law schools where the path to high-paying legal jobs is obvious from the start.
It sits in Manhattan, and the firms that dominate the New York legal market recruit here heavily. During second year, students go through on-campus interviews with major firms. Many secure summer associate positions, and a large share of those turn into permanent offers. That is the core pipeline behind NYU’s employment numbers.
Admissions
NYU is highly selective.
- Median LSAT: around 172
- Median GPA: close to 3.9
- Acceptance rate: roughly 12 percent
- Entering class: just over 400 students
Most admitted students were already near the top of their undergraduate class. This is not a school that stretches far below its medians.
Where Graduates Go
The most common outcome is Big Law. A significant portion of the class joins large firms in New York and other major cities. These firms pay top starting salaries and handle complex corporate and litigation work.
Federal clerkships are also within reach, especially for students with strong grades. They are competitive everywhere, but NYU gives students a real shot.
Public interest work is not an afterthought here. NYU has a long-standing reputation in civil rights, public defense, and policy work. Students who want that route can pursue it seriously, though the salary tradeoff is real.
Academic Strengths
NYU is particularly respected in:
- Tax law
- International law
- Public policy
- Criminal law
Its tax program is widely considered one of the strongest in the country. The international law focus is practical, not abstract. Many graduates build careers tied to global finance, trade, and regulation.
Cost and Risk
Tuition is about $84,000 per year.
NYU estimates the total cost of attendance, including fees and living expenses, at roughly $115,000 to $120,000 per year depending on housing.
Over three years, that means:
- $345,000 to $360,000 total cost before interest
- With loans and accrued interest, repayment can push well beyond that
Columbia University School of Law
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It is in Manhattan, close to Wall Street, major banks, private equity firms, and global financial institutions. If your goal is high-end corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, securities work, or complex commercial litigation, Columbia is built for that track.
Admissions
Columbia is extremely selective.
- Median LSAT: around 173
- Median GPA: about 3.9
- Acceptance rate: roughly in the low teens
- Class size: a little over 400 students
The numbers are slightly higher than most schools, even among the elite tier. This is a tight admissions filter.
Where Graduates Go
A large share of the class enters major law firms. Corporate law drives much of Columbia’s placement. Many graduates join firms that handle large financial transactions, regulatory matters, and international disputes.
Second-year recruiting is intense. Firms show up expecting to hire from Columbia. Summer associate positions often convert into full-time roles.
Federal clerkships are also common, particularly for students at the top of the class. Government placements and policy roles are possible, though Columbia’s reputation is strongest in corporate practice.
Academic Focus
Columbia is especially strong in:
- Corporate law
- Securities regulation
- Banking law
- International arbitration
Students who want to work in financial markets, cross-border transactions, or high-stakes commercial litigation often find Columbia aligned with those goals.
The culture tends to be competitive and career-focused. Many students arrive already aiming for large firms.
Cost and Considerations
Tuition is $85,368 per year.
Columbia lists an estimated total annual budget of about $125,416 once you include tuition, fees, housing, food, books, and personal expenses.
Over three years, that puts the full price tag around:
- $376,000 to $377,000 before interest (3 × $125,416 = $376,248)
If most of that is financed with loans, interest pushes the final repayment cost higher.
Cornell Law School
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Cornell is smaller than NYU and Columbia, but it competes in the same national hiring market.
The entering class is usually around 200 students. Median LSAT scores sit around 173. Median GPA is near 3.9. The acceptance rate is under 20 percent. It is selective, though slightly less tight than the two Manhattan schools.
Class size changes the experience. Professors are accessible. Seminar-style courses are common. Students tend to know each other well. The academic environment feels focused and contained rather than fast-paced.
Employment
Cornell places a large share of graduates into major law firms, especially in New York. Big Law placement is strong relative to the size of the class. Federal clerkships are also common, particularly for students near the top academically.
Employers treat Cornell as a national school. Graduates move into New York, Washington, California, Texas, and other large markets without being viewed as regional candidates.
The smaller class can help during recruiting. Fewer students are competing internally for the same interviews, which can ease some pressure during hiring season.
Academic Reputation
Cornell is well regarded in:
- Business law
- Corporate transactions
- Litigation
- Constitutional law
The school has a reputation for producing technically strong graduates. Writing and analytical training are emphasized heavily.
Cost and Setting
Tuition is $84,722 per year.
Cornell estimates the total cost of attendance at about $118,364 per year, once you include fees, housing, food, books, health insurance, and personal expenses.
Over three years, that comes out to be around $355,000 to $356,000 before interest (3 × $118,364 = $355,092).
Fordham University School of Law
Fordham University School of Law
Fordham is one of the main feeders into the New York legal market outside the top three schools. It is not in the national elite tier, but it has something that matters to a lot of applicants: consistent access to New York City firms and a strong reputation with employers in the city.
Admissions are competitive. Median LSAT is around 168, median GPA is around 3.8, and acceptance rates are in the mid-teens. The class is larger than Cornell’s, and that scale matters during recruiting. More students means more internal competition for the same interviews, especially for the biggest firms.
What Fordham Does Well
Fordham is known for being practical and career-focused. Students pick it because they want New York outcomes without needing NYU or Columbia-level stats.
It tends to perform best in:
- New York Big Law placement, especially for students near the top of the class
- Litigation, advocacy training, and courtroom-focused skills
- Strong local alumni network inside the city’s firms and courts
- A part-time program that is widely respected
Fordham’s trial advocacy reputation is real, and it shows in how many graduates end up in litigation tracks.
Where Graduates Go
A solid share of graduates go into large and mid-size firms in New York. The top part of the class can land the same types of firms that recruit at NYU and Columbia, though the odds are not the same for the middle of the class.
Many graduates also go into:
- Prosecutor’s offices and public defense
- Government agencies
- Regional firms in the Northeast
- In-house roles later in their careers after firm experience
Fordham is a school where grades matter a lot for the best outcomes. At the very top, doors open widely. In the middle, the market becomes more competitive and more dependent on networking.
Cost and Practical Tradeoffs
Tuition is about $79,000 per year.
Fordham estimates the total annual cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, housing, food, books, and personal expenses in New York City, at roughly $110,000 to $115,000 per year, depending on housing choices.
If financed mostly with loans, interest pushes repayment higher over time.
The difference from NYU or Columbia is not small, but it is not dramatic either. The bigger difference is in employment spread. At Fordham, outcomes vary more by class rank. Top students can land major firm jobs with high salaries. Middle-of-the-class outcomes are more mixed, which makes the debt-to-salary calculation more sensitive.
St. John’s University School of Law
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St. John’s University School of Law
St. John’s is a private law school in Queens. It sends most of its graduates into the New York job market, especially into litigation-heavy roles and local firms.
Admissions are competitive but not extreme.
- Median LSAT: about 164
- Median GPA: about 3.8
- Acceptance rate: a little over 20 percent
- Entering class: around 240 students
Tuition is about $70,000 per year. Once you add housing, food, fees, books, and living costs in New York, the total yearly cost can move closer to $95,000 to $100,000 depending on how you live. Over three years, that can mean $210,000 to $300,000 in total cost before interest.
That number matters because salary outcomes vary.
Where Graduates Go
Many graduates enter:
- Small and mid-size law firms in New York
- District attorney and public defender offices
- State and city government roles
- Some large firms for students near the top of the class
Large national firms do hire from St. John’s, but that outcome is mostly tied to class rank. Students near the top of the class have stronger access. Students in the middle compete harder and often land in smaller firms or government roles.
This is a school where grades make a clear difference in earning potential after graduation.
Training
St. John’s is known for trial advocacy and courtroom preparation. Students who take clinics seriously leave with practical experience, not just classroom theory. That is one reason many graduates end up in prosecutor offices and litigation-focused roles.
Yeshiva University (Cardozo) School of Law
People usually look at it for intellectual property and dispute resolution. That means work like trademarks, licensing, media and tech-related legal issues, plus litigation and negotiation-heavy roles.
Admissions sit in the competitive middle of New York private schools.
- Median LSAT: about 165
- Median GPA: about 3.8
- Acceptance rate: around 30 percent
- Entering class: roughly 300 students
Tuition runs about $70,000 per year. Add fees, books, housing, and day-to-day costs in New York, and total yearly cost often lands around $95,000 to $110,000 depending on rent and lifestyle. Over three years, that usually totals $210,000 to $330,000 before interest.
What Graduates Usually Do
Most graduates end up in New York-area legal jobs, with a lot of variation based on grades and networking.
Common outcomes:
- Small and mid-size firms in New York City
- Boutique firms, especially litigation and IP-focused shops
- Public interest and nonprofit roles
- Government work
Big Law happens for some students, mostly near the top of the class. For everyone else, outcomes lean more mid-size, boutique, or public sector.
Brooklyn Law School
Brooklyn Law School
Brooklyn Law is a private school in downtown Brooklyn. It is a practical choice for people who want a legal career in New York City and want to be close to courts, firms, and internships during the school year. It is not an “elite pipeline” school, but it is a real NYC school with real access to NYC legal work.
Admissions are competitive but reachable.
- Median LSAT: about 161
- Median GPA: about 3.6
- Acceptance rate: around 44 percent
- Entering class: a little over 400 students
Tuition is around $76,000 per year. Once you add housing, fees, books, and normal living costs in New York, total yearly cost can land around $105,000 to $120,000 depending on rent and lifestyle. Over three years, that can mean $230,000 to $360,000 before interest.
Where Graduates Usually Go
Brooklyn Law outcomes are mostly New York-based, and they vary a lot by class rank.
Most graduates land in:
- Small and mid-size firms in New York City
- Government roles (city and state)
- Public defense and prosecution
- Nonprofit and advocacy work
Big Law is possible, but it is not the default.
The clinic system is one of the biggest selling points because it gives students real client work and real responsibility while still in school.
CUNY School of Law
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People choose it for one main reason: they want to do legal work that serves regular people, and they do not want to take on private-school debt to do it.
Admissions are competitive, but the profile is very different from that of the private schools.
- Median LSAT: about 155
- Median GPA: about 3.5
- Acceptance rate: around 29 percent
- Entering class: a little over 200 students
The cost difference is massive. In-state tuition is about $16,000 per year. Out-of-state tuition is around $26,000 per year. Even after you add fees, books, and living expenses in New York, the total cost is still usually far below that of private schools because tuition is not the main bill.
For many students, that changes the entire risk level of law school.
What Students Actually Do in School
CUNY leans hard into hands-on training. Clinics are central, not optional extras. Students work on real cases and real client problems, often tied to:
- Housing and eviction defense
- Immigration cases
- Family law and domestic violence matters
- Public benefits issues
- Criminal defense support work
- Community advocacy and policy work
If someone wants to be in court or working directly with clients early, CUNY pushes that.
Syracuse University College of Law
Syracuse University College of Law
Syracuse Law is a private law school in upstate New York. People choose it when they want a solid legal education, a big alumni network, and a path into government, regional firms, or public service without paying Manhattan prices.
Admissions are competitive but more reachable than those at the New York City private schools.
- Median LSAT: about 158
- Median GPA: about 3.6
- Acceptance rate: about 35 percent
- Entering class: around 270 students
Tuition is around $65,000 per year. Add housing, fees, books, and normal living costs, and the total yearly cost usually lands around $85,000 to $100,000, depending on lifestyle. Over three years, that can mean $195,000 to $300,000 before interest.
Syracuse leans into practical training and career connections. It is not built around Big Law recruiting. It is built around producing grads who can step into real legal jobs quickly.
- Externships with courts, judges, and government offices
- Clinics and skills-based courses that simulate real practice
- A large alumni network, especially in New York State and the Northeast
- Programs tied to public service, including support for veterans
Albany Law School
Albany revolves around government, regulation, and public policy. Students who want to be close to state agencies, courts, and legislative work can actually get access to that world during school, not years later.
Admissions are competitive but more accessible than all those private schools.
- Median LSAT: about 158
- Median GPA: about 3.5
- Acceptance rate: around 37 percent
- Entering class: around 235 students
Tuition is about $64,000 per year. Add fees, housing, books, and living costs, and the total yearly cost usually lands around $85,000 to $100,000, depending on lifestyle. Over three years, that can mean $190,000 to $300,000 before interest.
Where Graduates Usually Go
Albany Law graduates tend to stay in New York State. Common outcomes include:
- State government agencies and offices
- Small and mid-size firms in upstate New York
- Prosecutor and public defender offices
- Compliance and regulatory roles tied to healthcare, insurance, and public policy
Big Law is not the normal outcome. The school’s value is stronger in state-level practice, government work, and regional legal careers.
What Albany Is Known For
Albany Law is often associated with:
- Environmental law
- Practical training through clinics
- Government and regulatory access because of the location
Students who pursue internships with agencies or legislative offices can build a résumé that fits state government hiring in a way that is harder to replicate from a school farther away.
The Bottom Line
New York concentrates an unusual number of serious law schools in one state. At the top, Columbia, NYU, and Cornell compete nationally for the same students and the same employers. Below that tier, schools like Fordham, Cardozo, and St. John’s feed directly into the New York legal market. Public options such as CUNY offer a different model, focused on access and advocacy.
The differences are not cosmetic. They show up in class size, tuition, employment outcomes, and the types of careers graduates typically enter. Some schools send large portions of their class into national firms and federal clerkships. Others emphasize trial work, public service, or regional practice.
Rankings matter, but so do cost, debt load, and the kind of work you want to be doing five years after graduation. A law degree from New York can open powerful doors. The smarter move is choosing the institution that lines up with the career you actually intend to build.
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