Going to law school is a big investment in your future career. Studying in Illinois would leave you better off. The best law schools in Illinois commit to making education easy to get. You can also be sure you would get good value for your money. Students who want to go to law school in Illinois have a lot of different options.
Are you thinking of going to law school in Illinois? Have you considered what the cost is? Are you wondering if it is worth it? Do you want to know what the requirements and application process is like?
We have given an answer to these and more in this article. In addition, you would find the 9 law schools in Illinois. Let’s dive right in.
Are the Best Law Schools in Illinois Worth it?
As it is with everything in life, you must always weigh your options. You must also look out for the advantages and disadvantages of your choice. They do not leave the best law schools in Illinois out. You should consider what it would mean for you to attend to them. Is it worth it? Let us help you.
As many as 98% of graduates from the best law schools in Illinois have jobs within 10 months of graduating. Almost these students have jobs that require them to pass the bar, and the majority (60%) work in law firms. Numerous graduates, about 30%, take clerkships in the Federal court system.
Graduates of the best law schools in Illinois also work all over the country. Most of them stay in the Midwest, but some work in the South Atlantic (20%) and Mid Atlantic (10%) regions (12%). You should know that the best law schools in Illinois offer financial help for summer clerkships in the public sector. They also offer a generous loan forgiveness program for students who take jobs in the public interest sector.
These schools also ensure that the tuition rate for JD students stays the same for all three years of their legal studies. They have scholarships to also ensure that you keep going to school, even when you run out of funds. The best law schools in Illinois may have their disadvantages, but in the end, it is worth it.
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What is the cost of the Best Law Schools in Illinois?
All the best law schools in Illinois have their specific costs. However, we have done the research and have found the general price range. The estimated costs of each degree program for the 2024-23 school year are-
- Tuition and Fees- $46,500 Fees
- Room and Board- $13,554
- Books and supplies- $1,800
- Miscellaneous- $2,750
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What are the Requirements for the Best Law Schools in Illinois?
The requirements for the best law schools in Illinois are-
Provision of complete academic history-
Applicants must show transcripts from their undergraduate and graduate schools. The transcripts must show their full academic history in undergraduate programs. It must also show ANY graduate schools, no matter how long they were there. They must use the CAS to send and process all transcripts.
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Law School Admission Test (LSAT)-
Everyone who wants to go to law school must take the LSAT and send in a valid LSAT score. If you took the LSAT within five years of your application, the score is valid. You must send in all the LSAT scores you have.
Résumé
You would need a detailed resume with information about your education and extracurricular activities. It should also include community and volunteer work, and all of your full-time and part-time jobs.
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Letters Of Recommendation
The school needs at least two letters of recommendation, but up to four is fine. Use the CAS Letter of Recommendation Service to send in your letters of recommendation. It shows clues about your academic potential and personal qualities.
Things like intellectual curiosity, enthusiasm, and commitment. The person who writes the letter should know the applicant personally.
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Personal Statement
The personal statement is an important part of every application. It’s your chance to show what you can bring to our community and your future career. In general, a personal statement narrowly focuses on your trait or experience. It is much more helpful to the Committee than either a broad statement about the law.
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How to Apply to the Best Law Schools in Illinois
Step 1
The first thing to do is to get a high GPA and LSAT score. It’s not a secret that you need good grades to get into a T-14 law school. You should choose a major you like and do well in your classes, but you should also try to get a high LSAT score.
Part of a school’s ranking depends on how selective it is. To figure out how selective a program is, U.S. News & World Report looks at the average GPA and LSAT scores of the students who got in. So, the higher your numbers, the more likely it is that you will get in.
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Step 2
Make your application materials interesting and show how you fit each program. Admissions officers will look at your application if you have good grades and test scores. However, a strong personal statement will help you seal the deal.
You’ll be able to tell your story and explain why you’d be a good fit for a certain program. You’ll also be able to show that you can write well, which is an important skill for future lawyers.
You should also send at least two letters of recommendation from people who can talk about how smart you are. At least one of your letters should come from a professor whose class you’ve taken and gotten a letter grade.
Step 3
Apply and wait for feedback. This may seem to be the most difficult step. The wait is never easy. However, some schools may call you for an interview, and some may just send you an acceptance letter. Find out how your school works to know what next to expect.
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9 Best Law Schools in Illinois
Law is an interesting and broad field, which is one of the main reasons you should study it. Almost everything we do has some kind of law. Like when we buy something online or drive on the highway.
As a lawyer, you will always have to deal with new cases that present different problems. The school you attend would help grind you on life after school. The 9 best law schools in Illinois are-
- University of Chicago Law School
- Northwestern University (Pritzker) Law School
- The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Law School
- Loyola University- Chicago School of Law
- Illinois Institute of Technology (Chicago-Kent)- Law School
- DePaul University Law School
- Northern Illinois University Law School
- Southern Illinois University–Carbondale Law School
- University of Illinois—Chicago
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#1. University of Chicago Law School
There are over 800 graduate schools every year, and the University of Chicago is one of them. It is one of the best law schools in Illinois. If you have an interest in law school here, you should know that the deadline is always March 1. The school has 99% of law students employed after 10 months of graduation.
The application fee for the full-time program at the University of Chicago Law School is $90.00. Its full-time tuition is $72,081. The number of students to teachers is 5.5:1. There are 76 full-tuition or more scholarships for the JD student body. This law school also has over 60+ organizations, ensuring collaboration.
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#2. Northwestern University (Pritzker) Law School
Northwestern University (Pritzker) Law School is one of the best law schools in Illinois. The application fee for the full-time program at Northwestern University’s School of Law (Pritzker) is $75. It costs $69,650 to go there full-time. The number of students to teachers is 4.8:1.
The J.D. program at Northwestern University (Pritzker) Law School takes two years to complete. Besides the traditional and accelerated J.D. programs, students can complete joint degrees. This includes a J.D./MBA with the highly ranked Kellogg School of Management or a J.D./Ph.D. with the Northwestern Graduate School. There are no part-time or evening classes for J.D. candidates.
The school has several Moot Court and Trial Team groups. All students are also to take part in the Arlyn Miner First-Year Moot Court Program. Students in their second and third years can join about five legal journals and over 30 student groups.
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#3. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Law School
The University of Illinois College of Law has a 100-year history of excellence. It also has a distinguished faculty and a talented and diverse student body. It is one of the best law schools in Illinois. 98% of its law graduates get employed in well-paying jobs within 7 months of graduation.
If you have interest, the deadlines are always on March 15. The University of Illinois College of Law has an application fee of $0 for full-time programs. Full-time tuition is $38,248 (in-state) and $48,248 (out-of-state) (out-of-state). The number of students to teachers is 5.5:1.
#4. Loyola University- Chicago School of Law
Loyola University Chicago’s legal education prepares you for a career because the professors are top-notch and easy to reach. They also help and encourage students to become better lawyers. The Loyola University Chicago School of Law is a law school that focuses on its students. It stems from the Jesuit values of academic excellence, intellectual openness, and service to others. Talking to one of the enrollment advisors is one of the best ways to learn about the admission process.
The full-time program application fee at the School of Law at Loyola University Chicago is $0. The School of Law at Loyola University Chicago has an application fee of $0 for part-time programs. The full-time price is $51,636, and the part-time price is $38,380. The number of students to teachers is 6.2:1.
You would also have the convenient option to study law part-time. Law students who want to get two degrees can do so through other university departments. For example, the Loyola University Chicago Graduate School of Business offers a J.D./MBA program, and the Loyola University Chicago School of Social Work offers a J.D./Master of Social Work program. The School of Law offers a unique online Master of Jurisprudence degree in Children’s Law and Policy. This is for students who want to learn about the law but don’t want to become lawyers.
#5. Illinois Institute of Technology (Chicago-Kent)- Law School
At Chicago-Kent, students get first-year legal writing classes from full-time faculty members. They give one-on-one feedback and give students real-world experience. It is one of the best law schools in Illinois. The Chicago-Kent College of Law has a well-known legal writing program and a high ranking for its trial advocacy program.
The Chicago-Kent College of Law at the Illinois Institute of Technology (Chicago-Kent) has an application fee of $0 for full-time programs. It also has an application fee of $0 for part-time programs. It costs $51,120 to go full-time and $37,560 to go part-time. The number of students to teachers is 8.9:1.
At the Chicago-Kent College of Law at the Illinois Institute of Technology, there are many ways for students to get their law degrees. There are full-time and part-time law programs at the school. Part-time students can take classes during the day or in the evening.
#6. DePaul University Law School
The impact of DePaul College of Law goes beyond what its faculty has done and what its best programs have done. DePaul University Law School is one of the best law schools in Illinois.
The College of Law at DePaul University has no application fee for full-time programs. The College of Law at DePaul University has an application fee of $10 for part-time programs. It costs $50,140 to go full-time and $32,750 to go part-time. The number of students to teachers is 7.9:1.
At the DePaul University College of Law in Chicago, students can focus on their legal education. It can be in areas like business law and taxation, intellectual property law and IT, criminal law, and health law. Students who want to get two degrees at once can choose from programs like a J.D./M.B.A. amongst others.
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#7. Northern Illinois University Law School
National Jurist has named NIU Law a “Best Value Law School” for four of the last five years. NIU Law offers an unbeatable mix of high quality and good value. It is one of the best law schools in Illinois.
The application fee for a full-time program at Northern Illinois University’s College of Law is $15. Full-time tuition is $22,194 (in-state) and $22,194 (out-of-state) (out-of-state). The number of students to teachers is 9.2:1.
NIU has a program for high-achieving students to get their law degrees faster. These integrated course sequences. These are also called “3+3 programs”. They take six years to complete and lead to both an undergraduate degree and a J.D.
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#8. Southern Illinois University–Carbondale Law School
SIU Law is a great law school that is also affordable. It prepares students for success in the legal field. In the list of the best law schools, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale ranks between 147 and 192. It is one of the best law schools in Illinois.
At Southern Illinois, University-School Carbondale’s of Law, the application fee for a full-time program is $20. Its full-time tuition is $23,551 (in-state) and $23,551 (out-of-state) (out-of-state). The number of students to teachers is 9:1.
#9. University of Illinois–Chicago
The University of Illinois Chicago is in the middle of one of the world’s best cities. It is an important part of the educational, technological, and cultural life of the city. It is one of the best law schools in Illinois.
The application fee for the full-time program at the University of Illinois—Chicago School of Law is $0. The application fee for the part-time program at the University of Illinois—Chicago School of Law is $0. Full-time tuition is $40,762 (in-state), $49,762 (out-of-state), $30,782 (in-state), and $37,382 (part-time) (out-of-state). The number of students to teachers is 9.1:1.
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What Scholarship Programs are available for the Best Law Schools in Illinois?
The cost of tuition, even though affordable, can still take a toll on you. Financial aid is another way to pass the hurdles. The scholarship programs available at the best law schools in Illinois are-
#1. Joel Stern Scholarship Fund
The Joel Stern Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Pipeline Scholarship is for 2024–2024 second and third-year law students in Illinois. To be eligible for this scholarship, you must enroll in good standing at an ABA-accredited law school program.
#2. The One Lawyer Can Change the World Fund
A law degree can be a powerful tool in the right hands. History is full of great stories about leaders who made it their mission to live by the law and bring about change. Each year, they honor 10 people who are going to law school and will make a difference in the world. All ten finalists will get scholarships to help pay for their first year of law school.
#3. The Illinois Judges Foundation Scholarship Fund
The scholarship is by the Illinois Judges Foundation to two or more qualified students at an Illinois law school. The IJF sends the scholarship money to the law school(s) of the winners to pay for tuition and other costs.
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#4. The Illinois Judicial Council Scholarship Fund.
The Illinois Judicial Council (“IJC”) is a group mostly made up of African American state and federal judges, administrative law judges, and hearing officers. Since 1999, the non-profit organization has given many scholarships. It is mostly for minority law school students in Illinois.
#5. The Trial LawHER Scholarship Fund
Milestone has set up the Trial LawHER Scholarship to help a rising 3L female law student. This is to help her reach her goal of becoming a plaintiff trial lawyer. This scholarship means to help a rising woman leader in the plaintiff trial lawyer space. It would also teach future trial lawyers about the importance and effects of settlement planning.
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What are the Highest Paid Jobs for Lawyers in Illinois?
Lawyers in Illinois have a range of jobs to do. The highest-paying jobs for lawyers in Illinois are-
- Associate Attorney: $93,000
- Attorney / Lawyer: $130,000
- Corporate Counsel: $137,500
- Assistant City Attorney: $146,000
- Real Estate Attorney: $150,000
- Patent Attorney: $155,000
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The Law Schools at Illinois are one of the best places in all the United States to learn about law. It also has one of the highest rates of citations per student of any law school in the United States.
UChicago Law is a moderately competitive law school because it only accepts about 21% of the people who applied. Last year, out of the several thousand students who applied, they only accepted 185.
By applying. Most of these schools allow you to apply online. Try as much as you can to make your application stand out.
You need to get at least an LSAT Score of between 167 and 173. Your GPA (Median) should be between 3.73 and 3.96.
The cost of tuition for the school year 2024-2024 is $73,185. For the 2024-2024 school year, a reasonable budget for a single student. This includes tuition and living costs.
The most important reason to go to law school is that you love the law. If you want to learn about the law, go to law school. There is a need for lawyers because people and businesses need them.
The J.D. program usually takes full-time students three years and part-time students four years.
You can always go to law school, no matter how old you are. The Law School Admission Council says that most applicants are under 25 years old, but about 20% are 30 or older.
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Conclusion
There are many ways for lawyers to move up in their field. Most new lawyers start as associates and work closely with more experienced lawyers to learn the ropes. After a few years of doing well in their jobs, lawyers may become partners in a firm or decide to open their own law offices.
Some lawyers may stop being lawyers and become judges or move into other public positions. Lawyers can also go back to school to get a master’s degree or a doctorate. No matter what you decide to do, know that a law degree may stress you now, but it pays later.
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References
- law.illinois.edu– Law school in Illinois scholarships
- payscale.com– Illinois law schools
- illinois.edu– Illinois law schools- admissions, tuition, costs
- usnews.com– Top law schools in Illinois
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