University of Wisconsin Law School
The information on this page was provided by the law school.
Official Guide to ABA-Approved JD Programs
The University of Wisconsin Law School is located on historic Bascom Hill in the heart of the beautiful UW–Madison campus. It boasts a renowned faculty, an extensive curriculum and a dynamic student body. As part of an amazing university located in the state’s capital, the Law School also offers an unparalleled wealth of experiences beyond its walls.
An extensive curriculum places emphasis on the dynamics of the law—how the law relates to social change and to society as a whole—while at the same time stressing skill development. In addition to nationally recognized programs in several substantive areas, the Law School also has one of the largest clinical programs in the country. UW Law School offers many dual degree programs, concentrations and certificate programs.
With a focus on skills-based learning, our students graduate practice-ready and prepared for success. Most UW Law School students are pursuing a J.D. (Juris Doctor) degree, while many others are earning an LL.M. (Master of Laws) or the S.J.D. (Doctor of Juridical Science).
The UW Law School's nationally recognized faculty and staff work together to provide an outstanding learning environment for our students. Our faculty and staff come from a wide range of backgrounds and bring varying experiences, views and approaches to the Law School. They are inspired by the UW’s distinctive law-in-action approach, and they are committed to helping students develop into confident, successful lawyers.

The JD Program
At UW Law School, we want our students to design their education in a way that caters to their passions and fulfills their professional goals.
Our students have many opportunities to experience our long-standing law-in-action tradition, which empowers them to navigate as successful lawyers in an increasingly complex, competitive and challenging world.
Incorporated throughout our extensive curriculum, this law-in-action philosophy places an emphasis on the dynamics of the law, meaning:
- how the law both reflects and causes social change, and
- how the law as it is practiced can differ from the law described in the statutes.

Student Life
Career Placement and Bar Passage
Tuition and Aid
Expense | Resident | Nonresident |
---|---|---|
Tuition |
$37,232.00
|
$53,928.00
|
Fees |
$2,450.00
|
$2,450.00
|
Expected Cost of Attendance |
$61,740.00
|
$79,016.00
|
The University of Wisconsin Law School Admissions and Financial Aid Office awards scholarships based on a variety of criteria, such as merit, need, academic background, personal qualifications, or some combination depending on the individual scholarship.

Admission Decisions: Beyond the Numbers
The University of Wisconsin Law School seeks to admit a talented and engaged class that will go on to serve the legal profession in Wisconsin, across the nation, and throughout the world. Admission to the University of Wisconsin Law School is very competitive, and we understand that you, as a prospective applicant, are interested in knowing how best to present your application and whether you have a reasonable possibility of acceptance. The following information is designed to help answer those questions.
When we receive your file, we begin our review with three main priorities in mind, seeking applicants that have:
- Strong academic credentials
- A likelihood of success in law school demonstrated in other ways (including through leadership activities, extra-curricular experiences, or evidence of strong writing skills)
- Experiences or backgrounds that will enrich the law school or legal profession
