States like California and Massachusetts come to mind when you think about law schools. After all, some of the best schools in the country and the world are there. And when people think of top schools, they know the names Harvard, Yale (in Connecticut), and even Stanford.
But there are some things about the best law schools in North Carolina that are only found there. Some are historically important because they started when people from many groups could not go to school or get jobs.
Most of the best law schools in North Carolina gave people opportunities. They made similar curricula and training for those who may not have enough funds. Even now, they combine high-quality education and training. They do this with a sense of fairness and concern for the public good.
Are you considering going to the best law schools in North Carolina? This article creates an extensive list. It also highlights the cost, requirements, and application process. Let’s get started.
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Are the Best Law Schools in North Carolina Worth it?
Law school is expensive. A lot of people wonder if the best schools in North Carolina are worth it. Not to be too vague, but there are different levels of quality in this field, just like in any other. If you want to be a lawyer, North Carolina has a lot of great choices for you.
If you don’t like NCLR and don’t want to pay for tuition and books, the state’s public universities might be a good choice. The cost of living, tuition and fees are also quite affordable. Unlike other law schools, you would find tutors who are very willing to teach you all they know.
North Carolina also has a great climate, making it a good idea to even study there. Research has shown that students who go to the best law schools in North Carolina get jobs quite easily too. Unless you have better options, the best law schools in North Carolina are worth it.
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What is the cost of the Best Law Schools in North Carolina?
US News and World Report’s annual survey of over 197 law programs shows that the average cost of attending a private law school in North Carolina is $43,020. The average cost of attending a public law school in North Carolina is $26,264 for state residents and $39,612 for out-of-state students.
The breakdown of these costs is
- Fees and Costs $24,522
- Board and Room $18,760
- Books/Supplies $1,002
- Travel: $1,260;
- Student Health Insurance: $2,616;
- Other: $1,934
The Office of Scholarships and Student Aid makes a “cost of attendance” (COA) budget for each student. This helps figure out how much aid you can get. This budget includes tuition and fees, as well as allowances for living costs, books, and supplies. It also includes transportation and other expenses.
You can get help with money up to the amount of your total COA budget. If the total of all your scholarships, grants, and student loans is more than what you planned for, you will need to make changes.
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What are the Requirements for the Best Law Schools in North Carolina?
Every law school in North Carolina has its specific requirements. However, for every law school in California, the requirements you should have handy are-
- ACT or SAT results
- Essays. This would include your statement, and other required statements.
- Letters of recommendation. It must be from a professional person who knows you personally.
- The Law School Admission Test (LSAT). You should score between 171- 183 on this test.
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How to Apply for the Best Law Schools in North Carolina
Step #1
Browse through schools to see what you want. If you already had a school in mind, still check it to be sure you meet the requirements. If you don’t, you can go through the list of best law schools in North Carolina below to pick.
Step #2
Create an account on the school portal. Each school has its own set of application requirements and deadlines. My Calendar allows you to keep track of those critical deadlines. For all LSAC services, use your LSAC account number as your primary identifier.
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Step #3
Register for and study for the LSAT. Most law schools require the LSAT. Schedule the test date so that you can receive your score before the deadline for your first law school application. Preparing for the test is essential if you want to perform as well as possible.
Step #4
Get your application fee ready.
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Step #5
Request all necessary transcripts. When it is complete, you will access an Academic Summary Report through your LSAC.org account. Check that it is complete and accurate.
Step #6
Request recommendation letters. The school’s letter of recommendation requirements will vary.
Step #7
Wait for feedback. You can use your LSAC.org account to apply to as many US law schools as you want.
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11 Best Law Schools in North Carolina
Look no further if you want a job that does more than just pay the bills. When you help others, you get a great sense of fulfillment and meaning from the law.
However, to successfully help people, you need a good and recognized school. Which should be from the law schools in North Carolina. The best law schools in North Carolina are:
- Duke University Law School
- The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Chapel Hill
- Elon University
- North Carolina Central University
- Wake Forest University
- Charlotte Law School
- Campbell University
- Fayetteville State University. Fayetteville
- Appalachian State University. Boone.
- East Carolina University. Greenville.
- Davidson College. Davidson.
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#1. Duke University Law School
- Tuition Fee: $58,000 per year
- Student-teacher ratio- 5:1
- Acceptance Rate: 24%
Duke University is in Durham, North Carolina, and each year it has more than 15,000 students. The American Bar Association has given the Duke University Law School its seal of approval. The school offers a complete education through a mix of traditional classes. It also offers seminars, clinics, and hands-on training. It is one of the best law schools in North Carolina.
The Duke University’s Juris Doctor program requires classes in ethics, legal writing, and professional growth. The strengths of the basic curriculum are that it gives a strong foundation in areas like business and corporate law, constitutional and public law, criminal law, and environmental law.
Duke Law School is an ambitious school whose goal is to teach students how to be responsible and productive lawyers. The school also gives out degrees for Master of Laws and Doctor of Juridical Science. There are 4 Bachelor of Law programs at Duke University. It is a big private university in a city of about the same size. In 2015, 210 students finished their studies in law, and 210 of them got their PhDs.
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#2. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Chapel Hill
- Tuition- $52,900 per year
- Student-teacher ratio: 17:1
- Acceptance Rate: 45%
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is the oldest and most successful public school in the country. It has over 28,000 students. Since 1928, the American Bar Association has approved the University’s Law School. It is one of the best law schools in North Carolina. The University’s School of Law has had a huge impact on the direction of the state, and the whole country.
The school’s 3-year Juris Doctor program starts with classes on legal methods and analysis, legal research, and writing. It also covers oral arguments and basic topics like the American legal tradition. Students in their second year will learn about business associations, evidence, and income tax. It also covers guaranteed transactions, trusts, and properties.
UNC-Chapel Hill also offers a master’s degree in law and programs that lead to two degrees at the same time. There is only one Law degree program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In 2015, 231 law students got their degrees, and 231 of those students also got their PhDs.
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#3. Elon University
- Tuition: $39,000 per year
- Student-teacher ratio: 14:1
- Acceptance Rate: 48%
Elon University is a private school in the town of Elon, North Carolina. Every year, the school helps almost 6,000 students. Three years is enough time to finish the law program at Elon. In their first year, students will take classes in criminal law, legal methods and communication, and legal research and writing. In the other years, they take evidence, constitutional law, and professional responsibility.
This is one of the best law schools in North Carolina. The school commits to teaching students how best to be learners and leaders. Students at Elon Law push to reach the highest levels. This helps them get ready to be lawyers who can fully adapt to their roles as problem solvers. Students can also take part in Elon University’s law clinics. It includes an elder law clinic, an immigration law clinic, and a will writing clinic.
Elon University has one program for getting a law degree. It is a private university of medium size in a suburb of the same size. In 2015, 76 students got their degrees in law, and 76 of those students also got their PhDs.
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#4. North Carolina Central University
- Tuition: $11,000 per year for residents and $31,000 for non-residents.
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 19:1
- Acceptance Rate: 48%
North Carolina Central University is a public school in the city of Durham. It has more than 8,000 students. Through its law faculty, the university has a program for getting a Juris Doctor degree. The goal of the North Carolina Central University Law School is to offer a challenging and wide-ranging education program. It encourages the highest level of intellectual research.
It also gives each student a strong sense of professional responsibility and personal integrity. This will help the school produce lawyers who are good at their jobs and care about the community. Students at the North Carolina Central University Law School can choose between a full-time day program and a part-time night program.
Students who finish the NCCU Law program will be ready to work as lawyers, judges, and community organizers. The North Carolina State Bar Council and the American Bar Association have both approved the university’s law school. There is one Law Degree program at North Carolina Central University. It is a public university in a city of about the same size.
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#5. Wake Forest University
- Tuition: $44,000 per year
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 5:1
- Acceptance Rate: 56%
Wake Forest University has one of the best law schools in North Carolina. Winston-Salem is home to the private university Wake Forest University. Every year, the school helps over 7,000 students. The J.D. Students must earn 90 credit hours to graduate from school and can do this in three years.
Students will learn about civil procedure, contracts, legal research and writing, and other basic legal ideas. In the second and third years, they take classes of evidence, legislation and administrative law, and professional responsibility. The school offers several degrees that you can earn at the same time. This includes a J.D. and a Master of Arts in Religion or a J.D. and a Master of Business Administration.
The school also gives out Master of Laws, Master of Studies in Law, and Doctor of Juridical Science degrees. Wake Forest University has one program for getting a law degree. It is a private university in a city of about the same size.
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#6. Charlotte Law School
- Tuition: $42,000 per year
- Student-teacher ratio: 17:1
- Acceptance Rate: 66%
Charlotte Law’s way of teaching fits the needs of a lawyer in the 21st century. Students are a big part of this. Its goal is to offer a strong commitment from faculty and staff. It also offers a personalized experience and a challenging but innovative study program. This will help you do well in law school, pass the bar exam, and get a job.
Charlotte School of Law has one program that leads to a Law Degree. However, this law school is currently permanently shut down
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#7. Campbell University
- Tuition: $40,000 per year
- Student-teacher ratio: 20: 1
- Acceptance Rate: 62%
Campbell University is a Baptist school and is in the town of Buies Creek. Every year, more than 6,000 students sign up to go to the school. It has one of the best law schools in North Carolina. You can sign up for a Doctoral program in Jurisprudence at the Norman Adrian Wiggins Law School.
The program finishes in three years, and students must earn 90 credits to do so. Applicants from Campbell University must already have a bachelor’s degree. They must also take the LSAT before February of the year they plan to attend law school. The Faculty of Law is a very demanding community of professors and students.
Freshmen take courses in legal basic concepts such as civil procedures, grievances, constitutional law, and contracts. Campbell University offers a 1 Law Degree program. It is a medium-sized private university in a peripheral city.
#8. Fayetteville State University. Fayetteville
- Tuition- $47,000 per year
- Student-teacher ratio- 10:1
- Acceptance rate- 43%
Fayetteville State University is a great place to go if you want to learn online with a diverse group of students or live the traditional HBCU campus life. It has one of the best law schools in North Carolina.
To get into this State University, you must have a GPA of 2.5 on your final high school transcript. For 2024, there is no minimum SAT/ACT score requirements, so there is no minimum score requirement.
Best Value Schools ranked the #1 best college in North Carolina. AffordableSchools.net ranked this program as the #1 most affordable online psychology program in the country. AffordableSchools.net says it is the most affordable online criminal justice program.
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#9. Appalachian State University. Boone
- Tuition- $63,000 per year
- Student-teacher ratio- 6:1
- Acceptance rate- 33%
Appalachian State University is a public school in Boone, North Carolina. It goes by the names Appalachian, App State, App, and ASU. In 1971, it became part of the University of North Carolina System. There are more than 20,600 students at the university.
It has more than 150 bachelor’s degree programs and 70 graduate degree programs, including two doctoral programs. Appalachian went from being a teachers’ college with only one purpose to a regional university with many.
Students at ASU like to do many things outside. On and around the Blue Ridge Parkway, you can snowboard, ski, tube, rock climb, hike, raft, camp, and fish in the mountains. It is one of the best law schools in North Carolina.
#10. East Carolina University. Greenville.
- Tuition- $39,750
- Student-teacher ratio- 12:1
- Acceptance rate- 48%
ECU offers over 70 master’s degree programs, 2 intermediate programs, and more than 60 graduate certificate programs. It is one of the best law schools in North Carolina.
With a 3.83 GPA, you have to be near the top of your class and well above average to get into ECU. Most of the grades on your report card should be A’s. You should also have taken at least a few AP or IB classes to show you can handle college-level work.
#11. Davidson College, Davidson
- Tuition- $55,000
- Student-teacher ratio: 14:1
- Acceptance rate: 32%
In the 2024 edition of Best Colleges, Davidson College ranks #13 among National Liberal Arts Colleges. It costs $55,000 for tuition and fees. Most of the students at Davidson are White, from the upper-middle class, hard-working, and driven. Numerous students take part in sports, whether they are on varsity teams, in intramural, or in club sports.
Davidson is one of the best law schools in the United States. They have a very important Honor Code that governs how academic and residential community works.
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What are Scholarship Opportunities available for the Best Law Schools in North Carolina?
To apply for Institutional Scholarships, make sure you know what each scholarship needs. The best law schools scholarships in North Carolina are-
#1. James P. Beckwith, Jr. Endowed Scholarship Fund
Alumni and friends set up this scholarship to honor the hard work of Professor James P. Beckwith, Jr. The Beckwith scholarship helps law students in the evening program. They must show that they need financial help and are doing well in school.
#2. Johnnie Brown Endowed Scholarship Fund:
This fund is possible through donations from alumni and friends of Johnnie Brown, a former NCCU Law Registrar. It is for second or third-year students. They must have a minimum grade point average of 2.5 and show proof of financial need.
#3. Carol Wilson Caldwell Endowed Legal Scholarship:
This scholarship is for Law students in their second or third year who are in good academic standing.
Students who want to be lawyers in Eastern North Carolina will get more attention. The Office of Financial and Student Aid will decide who gets the money based on how much money they need.
#4. John D. Fasset Endowed Scholarship
To be eligible for this scholarship, you must have at least a 3.0 GPA and be in good academic standing. Scholarship winners can ask for a scholarship renewal as long as they are still doing well in school.
They split scholarship funds. 25% will go to Hispanic/Latino and/or Native American students. The other 75% goes to other qualifying students. The Office of Financial and Student Aid will decide who gets the aid based on how much money they need.
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What are the Highest Paying Jobs for Lawyers in North Carolina
The highest-paying jobs for lawyers in North Carolina are:
- Assistant U.S. Attorney- U.S. Department of Justice- $$133,701 a year
- Civil litigation paralegal- $154,819 per year
- Personal injury paralegal- $157,364 per year
- Tax lawyer- $160, 000 per year
- Maritime lawyer- $300,000 per year
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Frequently Asked Questions
This depends on the school requirement. However, ensure your GPA is up to 3.75.
Three years. The three-year J.D. program trains great lawyers and leaders to help the people and institutions of North Carolina, the rest of the country, and the world.
Yes. The best law schools in North Carolina are listed above. Compare statistics and figure out which one you would be attending.
The school has a lot of centers and projects. It also has strong expertise in civil rights, banking, and environmental law.
Yes. Asides from the law, North Carolina runs other programs. They all have the same quality of tutors.
Yes. UNC School of Law stays in the Top 25 law schools for the second year in a row. The 2024 edition of “America’s Best Graduate Schools” by U.S. News & World Report, which came out on March 29, moved Carolina Law up one spot to No. 23 out of 192 law schools.
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Conclusion
Students at these schools have good job prospects. This is because of the famous people who went to these schools before them. Asides from that, the best law schools in North Carolina have a good reputation. All the permanent and visiting faculty are well-known scholars. Many of them have worked in their fields for years.
Important parts of the curriculum at these schools are both hard, in-depth classroom learning and useful, hands-on learning. The idea of theory meeting practice keeps coming up. The best law schools in North Carolina are worth every bit of your money and time. Pick from any of the schools above.
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References
- usnews.com– Law schools in North Carolina
- bestvalueschools.org– Law schools in North Carolina
- bestvalueschools.org– Top law schools
- findstudynow.com– Top law schools in North Carolina- rankings
- Image source
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