15 Best Law Schools in Dallas Texas : Requirements, Scholarships

Being an ambitious law student, you would want to discover the best law schools in Dallas Texas. Choosing the right legal school is crucial.

You want a university that will challenge you and prepare you for success after graduation. With the bar test as demanding as it is, getting a job in the law field might be even harder.

This article will answer your questions about law school and showcase the best law schools in Dallas, Texas. With this, you can make an educated decision on the best law school for yourself.

Why Attend a Law School In Dallas Texas

1. You want to help people solve problems

If you want to assist individuals through the legal system, you may find law gratifying. Many would-be business attorneys are applying to public interest legal employment when they can’t find work in their preferred field.

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A social services background may help you acquire a career in public interest law.

2. You’re government-trained

City, state, and federal governments have many law occupations. Budget cuts have made these jobs scarce, but if you have government experience, you can obtain one after law school.

3. Corporate tax legislation interests you.

Corporate tax attorneys, some of whom have JDs, MBAs, and/or CPAs, guarantee their clients are compliant with tax rules. This can include enormous multinationals with post office boxes on little, sunny islands.

Corporate tax attorneys assist companies to handle tax transactions through purchases, mergers, and donations. Some find complicated problem-solving fascinating and satisfying. Those people are lucky. There is a need for intelligent, competent persons in this field of law.

4. You studied science

Always a little demand for science-savvy lawyers. This is especially true in patent law, which asks if items are novel or creative. Answering this question about a highly complicated product demands considerable science.

If you have a science background with a legal degree, you’ll be a hot candidate when you graduate.

5. You want to be a lawyer.

This is the finest reason to attend the best law schools in Dallas Texas. If you want to be a lawyer, there is no other better justification to follow your dream. Also, you get paid a substantial salary if you play your cards right.

Related: Top 15 Law Schools Forum | 2024

How Much Do Law Schools In Dallas Texas Cost?

Texas college expenses vary by degree program. The average annual tuition for law schools in Dallas is $43,979 per year. Texas natives pay $5,210 for undergraduate tuition and $7,850 for graduates.

Texas law school students spend an average of $13,764 on living expenditures or $13,340 on campus. Texas students learning supplies are expensive compared to other states. Tuition in Texas rose by $3,000 between 2020 and 2024.

Low-income and middle-class students might not be able to afford these prices.

Requirements For Getting Into a Law School In Dallas Texas

The best law schools in Dallas Texas require certain documentation. Apply online at LSAC.org. Before your law school application can be considered, you will be required to provide the following documents:

1. Valid LSAT score
2. Completed LSAT writing sample
3. Transcripts
4. Personal statement
5. Current resume
6. 2 letters of recommendation
7. Character and fitness statement (if applicable)
8. Grade and/or LSAT addendum (as appropriate)
9. Diversity statement (as appropriate)

Also read: 21 Best Law Schools in California in 2024: Requirements, Scholarships

How To Get Into a Law School In Dallas Texas?

There are various stages to do before submitting your law school application. So the process can be time-intensive. Here are the steps to law school admission:

1. Research a Lawyers Role 

Before pursuing a legal degree, extensively investigate the profession. Consider your law school motivations. Misconceptions about attorneys range from their glossy TV appearances to their affluence.

Law school needs intense study and dedication. Lawyers read, write, and study complicated documents. The time they spend in court is short in comparison.

2. Get your bachelor’s degree

Law school has no prerequisites, unlike many graduate schools. Law school applicants have various degrees. It’s crucial to graduate with a good GPA. Undergraduate GPA matters more than college courses. Law schools rely most on your GPA, so be sure you have it.

Bachelor’s degrees normally take four years. Prepare early for the LSAT and application documents.

3. Pass the LSAT

Applicants must take the LSAT which costs $500. Your law school admissions hinge on your LSAT score. Because of this, students study a year in advance.

At least three months should be devoted to this endeavor. Here are some LSAT prep tips:

• Enroll in an LSAT course: Online LSAT materials abound. A well-organized course will help you through the LSAT.
• Get tutoring: Ask your school’s legal department or another local college or university for law professors or advanced law students who can tutor you.
• Study on your own: Highly organized students study at their speed. If you’re easily sidetracked and require a guided course or instructor, skip this choice.

Related: Best Ivy League Law Schools In 2024

4. Request transcripts

Before applying to law school, you’ll require undergraduate, graduate, and certificate transcripts. It costs $10-$20 per copy. Transcript requests might take days, so start early. Your alma mater won’t grant your request if you owe fees.

5. Write a personal statement

The personal statement is another admissions criteria. Consider this a chance to demonstrate your personality to the admissions committee. You can discuss job objectives, academic achievements, and more. If you don’t have particular prompts, explore winning statements.

6. Recommendation letters

You should submit more than one recommendation letter for law schools in Texas. Ask your most helpful undergraduate instructors to write these letters. You may ask an employer to attest to your work-school balance. Consider meeting with them beforehand to discuss your letter’s success factors.

7. Law school applications

Apply to at least five best law schools in Dallas to boost your chances of acceptance. Choose target schools by:

• Cost research: Cost should factor heavily into your selection. Law students can get loans. Explore your alternatives.
• Location is important: Like other graduate students, you’ll need to move for law school. Some regions may be more expensive, straining your resources.
• Analyze career objectives: Decide what kind of law you want to practice and where. Some schools may fit your needs better.
• ABA accreditation: Only apply to schools with this distinction to get proper credit.

Even if the deadline isn’t until the following year, submit your applications by November 30. Law schools admit students before the deadline through a rolling admissions procedure. Waiting might mean missing out on available spots. Apply early.

Overview Of The Best Law Schools In Texas

Technology, sports, and education thrive in Texas. It also has some of the best law schools in America. Texas features three of the best law schools in America, according to U.S. News & World Report.

Choosing the correct major helps students advance their careers. If you’re interested in law schools in Texas, here’s a list to help you choose.

• Texas A&M University School of Law
• Baylor Law University
• South Texas College of Law Houston
• Texas Tech University
• The University of Texas School of Law
• Southern Methodist University
• University of Houston Law School
• St. Mary’s University
• South Texas College of Law Houston
• Thurgood Marshall School of Law
• University of North Texas-Dallas College of Law
• Hardin-Simmons University
• Jefferson Law School
• Texas Wesleyan University

List Of The Best Law Schools In Texas

1. Texas A&M University School of Law

Texas A&M Law School is located in College Station. It was the first Texas A&M University branch campus outside of Agriculture and Life Sciences and College Station.

As a member of the Association of American Law Schools, it provides full-time and part-time J.D. and LL.M degrees. LL.M. and M.J. students can take the degree in one of these areas; Business and Commercial Law, Criminal Law, Intellectual Property, and Natural Resources.

Texas A&M Law ranks 35 in student selectivity with a 30% acceptance rate. The university demands a 157 LSAT and a 3.51 GPA for admission. UT’s bar passing percentage is 81.4%, eighth in Texas.

Full-time tuition is $31,254 for in-state and $39,251 for out-of-state students, and the application cost is $65.

Apply Here

2. Baylor Law School

Baylor Law School was founded in 1857. Baylor Law School is situated in Texas’ largest metropolis, an hour from other intriguing places. Baylor Law’s diverse student body has made it a prominent Texas institution.

Baylor requires a 160 LSAT or 3.59 GPA on a 4.0 scale and has a 39% acceptance rate. The School’s Practice Court Program inspired this. Four lessons are required for this court program. Baylor Law School also offers a Litigation Management executive LL.M degree.

They also offer J.D. Doctorate in Business Planning, Criminal Law, Estate Planning, Commercial Law, Intellectual Property, and Public Interest Law. Baylor Law School also offers a dual-degree program. Full-time Baylor Law School tuition costs $58,273.

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3. South Texas College of Law Houston

Founded in 1948, this school has campuses in Edinburg, Houston, McAllen, and San Antonio. It’s one of the best law schools in Dallas Texas for dual degrees, allowing students to get a law degree and MBA in 30 months.

The school provides J.D.s in business and securities, criminal justice, health law, litigation and conflict resolution, and real estate. Two J.D. degrees, an LL.M., an LLMT, and an MJur. It provides an SJD and a Ph.D. in law with a taxation focus.

South Texas Law School accepts 60.7% of applicants. The university’s bar clearance rate is 67.9% and admission needs a 3.1 GPA. The average LSAT score is 151. Full-time STC Law Houston tuition cost $35,650.

Apply Here

Related: 10 TIPS TO STARTING YOUR LAW PRACTICE OUT OF LAW SCHOOL

4. Texas Tech University

Princeton Review ranks Texas Tech Law School as one of the best law schools in Dallas Texas. The institution provides full-time and part-time J.D. and LL.M degrees. LL.M. and J.D. students can take the degree in Business and Commercial Law, Criminal Law, Intellectual Property, and Natural Resources.

Texas Tech Law has an acceptance rate of 44%. The law school ranks 105th among the best law schools in America. The university demands a 155 LSAT and 3.44 GPA for admission. The University of Texas is the sixth among the best law schools in Dallas Texas with an 83.6% bar passing rate.

The ABA-accredited law school costs in-state students $23,232 and out-of-state students $34,572 a year.

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5. The University of Texas School of Law

Austin’s University of Texas is a public research university. Its primary campus is near the Texas State Capitol in Downtown Austin. The school provides J.D.s and LL.M degrees in business and securities, criminal justice, health law, litigation and conflict resolution, and real estate.

US News and World Report ranked the university 38th best national university. Undergraduate admission needs a 167 LSAT and a 3.74 GPA. UT’s bar clearance percentage of 90.3% ranks top in Texas. With an acceptance rate of 20.9%, the school’s tight admissions procedure makes it one of the best law schools in Dallas Texas.

The schools tuition ranges from $36,429 for in-state, to $54,096 for out-of-state students.

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6. Southern Methodist University

SMU Law is a private law school in Dallas. SMU Law has a student-faculty ratio of 8.5:1 and its acceptance rate of 47.2% makes SMU Law rank 88th in student selectivity. The school provides Juris Doctor J.D.s degrees in business and securities, criminal justice, health law, and real estate.

Also read: Top 10 Careers in Criminal Justice that are Marketable in 2024

US News and World Report ranked the university 68th among the best national universities. Undergraduate admission needs a 161 LSAT and a 3.68 GPA to be considered for admission.

SMU School of Law tuition is $57,836 per year for Texas residents, although cheaper than comparable top-tier private law schools in America.

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7. University of Houston Law Centre

Houston is one of the most budget-friendly law schools in Dallas Texas. It is accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA), National Association of Schools of Law(NASL), and CLEO (CSEO). It provides full-time and part-time J.D. and LL.M degrees in Business and Commercial Law, Criminal Law, Intellectual Property, and Natural Resources. 

The University of Houston Law School enrolls 976 students every year, ranking 35th among the best law school in America. UH Law Centre ranks 41 in student selectivity with a 33.1% acceptance rate. The university is ranked among the best law schools in Dallas Texas.

The school requires a 160 LSAT score and a 3.61 GPA to be considered for admission. The University of Texas boasts an 85.3% bar passing rate and a tuition cost of $34,044 for in-state students.

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8. St. Mary’s University

Founded in 1894, St. Mary’s University School of Law in San Antonio is known for being inexpensive. The school is sixth among the cheapest law schools in America. St. Mary’s University School of Law has a 55.8% admission rate. It is also one of 14 institutions in both the Association of American Law Schools and the Association of Independent Law Schools.

The Law School offers a Master of Laws (LL.M) in numerous disciplines for practical experience and the US and International Law. St. Mary’s University School of Law offers LL.M and Master of Jurisprudence degrees. The legal school also provides combined and separate J.D.s.

The J.D. combined degree includes MBA, IR, M.P.A., Arts, and Theology electives. St. Mary’s law school’s full-time tuition costs $36,550 and part-time is $24,300.

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9. Thurgood Marshall School of Law

Ranked tenth among the best law schools in Dallas Texas. TMSL, the state’s leading HBCU, delivers a first-class legal education to its mostly African-American students.

Thurgood Marshall isn’t merely one of the best law schools in Dallas Texas. It is world-class. The academic center is located in Houston, Texas, between Hermann Park and the Texas Medical Center.

With only 30.43% of applicants accepted, the US News and World Report rank it 169th among the best law schools in America. The university demands a 145 LSAT and 3.2 GPA for admission. UT’s bar passing percentage is 81.4%, seventh in Texas. Texas citizens pay $20,418 in tuition and fees, while others pay $27,828.

Apply Here

Also read: GRE to LSAT Conversion in 2024: How it Works

10. University of North Texas-Dallas College of Law

UNT-Dallas Law, founded in 2014, is the city’s only public law school. The school’s diversity and real-world education are its pride. Lab-based learning and award-winning mock trial teams help students obtain negotiating and management experience rapidly.

With an acceptance rate of 39%, this university is ranked as one of the best Law schools in Dallas Texas. The university demands a 156 LSAT and a 3.10 GPA for admission. UT’s bar passing rate is 67.61%, sixth in Texas.

Resident tuition & fees average $18,214 and non-resident $31,476.

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11. Hardin-Simmons University

One of Texas’ premier law schools. Hardin-Simmons students study in accommodating classrooms, halls, and campuses. This legal school is devoted to Christian education quality. With an acceptance rate of 69%, you need an LSAT score of 151 and a GPA of 3.52 to be considered for admission.

Hardin-Simmons provides J.D. and LL.M degrees in Business and Commercial Law, Criminal Law, and Intellectual Property. Hardin-Simmons aims to lower tuition while maintaining academic standards.

The Financial Aid Office examines each student’s financial condition and helps them throughout the process. Hardin-Simmons full-time tuition costs $30,694.

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See also: Best student loan forgiveness for lawyers in 2024 | Full Guide

12. Thomas Jefferson Law School

This law school provides students the resources, information, support, and skills to succeed. It’s one of the best law schools in Dallas Texas due to its environment and ideals.

Thomas Jefferson School of Law offers graduate law programs for international and American practicing lawyers. Foreign attorneys can get a California license through the residential program. Non-lawyers can take online courses from anywhere around the globe. The school provides many programs to instruct aspiring attorneys and non-lawyers in legal ideas and practice abilities.

Thomas Jefferson School of Law offers JD, LLM in American Legal Studies, LLM in Practice Skills, LLM, and MS in Law programs (MSL). With an acceptance rate of 65%, this school demands an LSAT score of 153 or higher and a GPA of 3.15 or higher for admission. $49,000 for tuition.

Apply Here

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13. Texas Wesleyan University

The Methodist Episcopal Church, South formed Texas Wesleyan University in 1890. Texas Wesleyan is a coed liberal arts school with a strong academic and student life program.

Texas Wesleyan University’s law school has a large number of legal students. Texas Wesleyan University focuses on constructing a brighter tomorrow than yesterday to prepare students for the future.

It provides J.D. and LL.M degrees in Business and Commercial Law, Criminal Law, Intellectual Property, and Natural Resources. This school has an acceptance rate of 66% and demands an LSAT score of 151 or higher and a GPA of 3.91 or higher for admission. Texas Wesleyan tuition cost $36,128.

Apply Here

Highest Paying Law School Jobs in Dallas Texas

Regional Recruiter

They oversee regional recruiting with the regional leadership team. Manages the applicant lifecycle, from finding prospects to creating offer letters and contracts. 

They use operational analysis, trends, benchmarking, and research to help leadership and management project clinical requirements. Salary is $139,813

Legal Counsel

They review, analyze, write, and negotiate contracts to address legal issues. This involves conveying contractual risks to non-attorneys in understandable terms. Salary is $135,604

Compliance Lawyer

They advise partners, attorneys, and the Global Compliance Team on possible conflicts of interest, including legal, ethical, and commercial problems. They work with a team of analysts to guarantee consistent workflow and timely production, including overseeing at least two Compliance Analysts. Salary is $132,916

Related: Easiest Law Schools to Get Into in 2024| Expert Guide

M&A Tax Advisor

They build strong cross-functional teams, including Corporate and Legal Affairs, Corporate Development, Treasury, Corporate Accounting, Human Resources, Go-To-Market, Engineering, and M&A.

Tax-wise, review term sheets, stock purchase agreements, merger agreements, asset purchase agreements, escrow agreements, and other legal arrangements. Salary is $128,548

Senior Corporate & Securities Attorney

They assist with SEC and NYSE filings, including Form 10-Ks, Form 10-Qs, Form 8-Ks, proxy statements, and Section 16 filings. Draft governance-related policies and processes. Draft board and committee papers, including meeting minutes, resolutions, and consents. Salary is $110,000

How Do Tier 1 And 2 Law Schools Differ?

Tier 1 law schools are among the top 14 law school rankings, or “T14.” The conventional T14 schools have kept relatively the same from year to year. 

Tier 2 law schools aren’t in the T14. They’re after the 14th-ranked school. The 15th-ranked law school may be in tier 2.

These institutions may still be good, but graduates may have trouble finding a job, especially compared to tier 1 graduates. In 2017, 33.8% of law school graduates couldn’t get a job, possibly because they graduated from a tier 2 school or fared poorly in a tier 1 school.

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FAQs

Conclusion

The best law schools in Dallas Texas offer top-tier education and prestige. Add the ample salary of law school jobs, you have the best situation you can ask for.

If you are interested in going to one of the law schools in Dallas Texas, this article will guide you on the journey to a great law career.

References

• wikipedia.org – List of law schools in Texas
• usnews.com – Best Law Schools in Texas
• collegetuitioncompare.com – Texas Law Schools Comparison
• indeed.com – law school requirements
• depts.ttu.edu – Frequently Asked Questions | Admissions | School of Law | TTU

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