Top Ten Right-Wing Law Schools

By Ben // JP Editors

There are many factors to consider when deciding which law schools to apply to. If you are looking for the most conservative law schools, this Article will give you a guide on what law schools to consider when applying.

When it comes to right-wing law schools, it is important to note whether the law school’s administration is itself right-leaning or tolerant of different viewpoints versus law schools with a right-wing student body. Even if a law school has a liberal administration, a law school in a state like Montana or Wyoming will likely be right-wing because of the political leaning of the state’s residents.

With that said, here are the law schools where not only can students be openly right-wing in ideology and jurisprudence, but where such students are even in the majority:

10. Liberty University School of Law

As far as conservative schools go, Liberty University is among the most conservative institutions of higher learning. But that has also gained it notoriety, which other universities that are equally as ideologically right-wing have avoided. There is no doubt that at Liberty, you will be with individuals who buck the liberal status quo. But you will also be around the radical Protestants and Con Inc. NPCs who, although smart enough not to be liberal, may not see the failures of the GOP or the shortcomings of originalism. Liberty’s School of Law was also founded in 2004, so its law program is relatively young and still establishing itself. 

Practical Considerations¹

Acceptance Rate: 58.8%

Rank (U.S. News): 141

Median GPA & LSAT: 3.54, 154

Bar Passage Rate: 84.8%

Federal Clerkships: 1.1%

Percentage of Minority Students: 29.4%

Tuition & Fees: $44,138

Full Time Enrollment: 300

9. Ave Maria School of Law

Like Liberty University School of Law, Ave Maria School of Law is part of a university that is intentionally traditional ideologically. Ave Maria School of Law is also relatively young, having been established in 1999. At least at Ave Maria, you will be around Catholics and in sunny Florida, rather than the middle of nowhere, Virginia. With Ave Maria fostering a strong Catholic environment, there will be no shortage of students who are on board with natural law and Common Good Constitutionalism. Newer and niche schools like Ave Maria and Liberty may draw a more authentically Christian and right-wing crowd, but that crowd also may be more eccentric in its expression of belief. Nevertheless, at one of these two schools, you will have the opportunity to contribute to building up the student body and organizations, thereby leaving your mark on the institution for future classes.

Practical Considerations

Acceptance Rate: 47%

Rank: 153

Median GPA & LSAT: 3.36, 155

Bar Passage Rate: 65.9%

Federal Clerkships: N/A

Percentage of Minority Students: 34.1%

Tuition & Fees: $50,750

Full Time Enrollment: 300 students

8. University of Oklahoma College of Law

It’s Oklahoma. It is one of the most right-wing states in the country. And the law school is actually pretty good, not just a bunch of ranchers and good ol’ boys getting their law degrees. If you are looking to work in a state government, the University of Oklahoma will put you in the right part of the country, and even one of the best states when it comes to being at the forefront of pushing conservative legislation. But it is also Oklahoma.

Practical Considerations

Acceptance Rate: 33.4%

Rank: 59

Median GPA & LSAT: 3.73, 162

Bar Passage Rate: 88.8%

Federal Clerkships: 2.2%

Percentage of Minority Students: 31.2%

Tuition & Fees: $23,554 (in-state), $37,819 (out-of-state)

Full Time Enrollment: 503

7. Pepperdine Caruso School of Law

Pepperdine is another school that was founded with a Christian basis that remains true to its mission. Pepperdine’s main downsides are the cost and its location in California. While you will be minutes from the beach, the student body will be more ideologically mixed, despite the school’s Christian mission.

Practical Considerations

Acceptance Rate: 23.4%

Rank: 55

Median GPA & LSAT: 3.85, 164

Bar Passage Rate: 86.8%

Federal Clerkships: 2.4%

Percentage of Minority Students: 38.2%

Tuition & Fees: $70,556

Full Time Enrollment: 532

6. Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law

Catholic University of America (CUA) is one of the best options if you are looking to go directly into a career in a political office or an agency. CUA is a good law school and is located in the heart of Washington, D.C. CUA is also the most genuinely right-wing law school in the D.C. area.

Practical Considerations

Acceptance Rate: 32.4%

Rank: 71

Median GPA & LSAT: 3.68, 161

Bar Passage Rate:83.1%

Federal Clerkships: 2.4%

Percentage of Minority Students: 34.2%

Tuition & Fees: $60,392

Full Time Enrollment: 273

5. Regent University School of Law

Regent University is another strongly Protestant school. Although not as highly ranked as some other schools, Regent’s School of Law has been rising steadily in recent years and boasts numerous strong connections in the Republican world. Regent University is the most consistently right-wing law school, both in its administration and its student body. Of all the intentionally conservative law schools that actually stand by their mission, Regent University has to be considered the best. This is a law school where originalism is the default, even among the professors, and where debates over Common Good Constitutionalism and the natural law will be engaging and earnest. The school’s downsides are that it is not in D.C., where it could make the fullest use of its political leanings, and the school still has more potential to fulfill in its rankings. But being in Virginia Beach, the school is cheaper than most on this list, not only in tuition, but also in cost of living.

Practical considerations

Acceptance Rate: 44.3%

Rank: 94

Median GPA & LSAT: 3.68, 158

Bar Passage Rate: 88.2%

Federal Clerkships: N/A

Percentage of Minority Students: 22.5%

Tuition & Fees: $43,554

Full Time Enrollment: 313

4. Brigham Young University’s J. Reuben Clark Law School

Ranking-wise, the J. Reuben Clark Law School is without a doubt the highest-ranked truly conservative law school. But it is also a Mormon institution. And it is, of course, in Utah. For such a good law school, it is affordable. If you want to work in a Republican state’s attorney’s general office, already being in the Mountain States and at such a good school will make that move from law school to an AG’s office very achievable. As a bonus, among all the schools on this list, this is also the one with the lowest diversity percentage in its student body.

Practical Considerations

Acceptance Rate: 22.8%

Rank: 28

Median GPA & LSAT: 3.95, 170

Bar Passage Rate: 90.4%

Federal Clerkships: 4.2%

Percentage of Minority Students: 19.5%

Tuition & Fees: $14,528 (LSD students), $31,056 (Gentiles)

Full Time Enrollment: 350

3. Baylor Law School

Baylor is the best law school in Texas, regardless of what any University of Texas student might tell you. Baylor is great for clerkships and bar passage, and it has a rigorous pace that prepares students with practical experience for the legal field. Its career office also has great insight into the many job opportunities in Texas. Its administration is Baptist, and its student body is primarily conservative, with the Federalist Society among its largest student organizations. Baylor Law is also ranked among the top schools for those interested in civil litigation practice. What makes it unique is its quarter system: students have nine weeks of classes, followed by finals and a few days until the start of the next quarter. 

Practical Considerations

Acceptance Rate: 20.6%

Rank: 43

Median GPA & LSAT: 3.77, 164

Bar Passage Rate: 94.9%

Federal Clerkships: 6.6%

Percentage of Minority Students: 30.5%

Tuition & Fees: $64,649

Full Time Enrollment: 388

2. George Mason’s Antonin Scalia Law School

The Antonin Scalia Law School is well-ranked and named after the greatest proponent of originalism. The school is not as hardcore right-wing as Regent, Ave Maria, and Liberty, but it is much more conservative than most law schools. The school is affordable given its ranking, and it is perfectly situated for employment opportunities. Being in the D.C. area, it is perfect for starting a career in a political office, agency, or think tank. The school also boasts an impressive rate of federal clerkships.

Practical Considerations

Acceptance Rate: 15.9%

Rank: 31

Median GPA & LSAT: 3.93, 169

Bar Passage Rate: 86%

Federal Clerkships: 6.4%

Percentage of Minority Students: 31.1%

Tuition & Fees: $27,762 (in-state)

Full Time Enrollment: 335

1. Notre Dame Law School

Of all the law schools in and around the T14, Notre Dame is the most tolerant of right-wing discourse, even if the school is not as dyed-in-the-wool conservative as schools like Regent, Ave Maria, and Liberty. Notre Dame is the nation’s premier Catholic school, attracting not only faithful Catholics but also the smartest Catholics. Notre Dame is also the best for federal clerkships among right-of-center law schools.

Practical Considerations

Acceptance Rate: 16.1%

Rank: 20

Median GPA & LSAT: 3.89, 170

Bar Passage Rate: 92.2%

Federal Clerkships: 16.6%

Percentage of Minority Students: 33.2%

Tuition & Fees: $70,606

Full Time Enrollment: 549

While these law schools are generally the most right-wing schools, it is also important to take into consideration where you want to practice and what you want your career to look like right after law school. If you are set on staying where you are and just want to make some money for a few years, commuting to your local law school would save you money and also make it easier for you to build your connections where you already are and plan to practice after law school. If you are bent on working in government, a D.C.-based law school or a law school that is undeniably right-wing will help you get a foot up in the application process if you are looking to work in a partisan office. And remember, law school is not about being the most based student; it is about starting your legal career. You are there to earn a law degree, pass the bar, and get a job after law school. So apply to the law school that will put you in the best position to succeed, as you define success for your career goals.