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Madison Aerial View

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.

Learn more about Wisconsin Law

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.
Learn more about the JD program at Wisconsin Law

Student Life

Career Placement and Bar Passage

Office of Career and Professional Development

Leading law firms, government agencies, business, and public interest organizations hire UW Law School graduates. A broad range of employers participate in the on-campus interview program. The Law School also participates in off-campus job fairs each year in New York, Chicago, Texas, and Washington, D.C., and our students receive support, mentorship, and guidance from our alumni around the world. 

From your first semester of law school to graduation and beyond, the Office of Career and Professional Development provides expert resources to help you achieve your professional goals.

  • Receive individual career counseling, from self-assessments to salary negotiations
  • Learn effective resume and cover letter writing, interviewing techniques, and social media etiquette
  • Participate in on-campus and remote interview programs
  • Network with potential employers and learn from practicing attorneys

2024 Graduate Employment by Job Sector

  • Law Firm - 54%
  • Public Interest - 12%
  • Government - 17%
  • Business & Industry - 4%
  • Clerkships - 6%
  • Education - 5%

Diploma Privilege

One of the great benefits of being a UW Law School student is Diploma Privilege. Diploma Privilege allows our graduates to secure a license to practice law in Wisconsin without taking a bar exam. Wisconsin is one of the only states in the country that offers diploma privilege.

If you intend to practice in Wisconsin when you graduate, or think you may return to Wisconsin in the future, there is a clear benefit to satisfying the Wisconsin Diploma Privilege.

Even if you're not planning to practice in Wisconsin, there are still reasons you should consider satisfying the diploma privilege:

  • It allows you to practice in most federal agencies (such as the IRS, FTC, SEC, etc.) without taking a bar exam.
  • You would be a licensed attorney while you are studying for the bar in another state, meaning you may be able to handle legal matters for your employer that graduates from other states cannot.
  • You will be licensed in more than one state, which is appealing to many employers.

Learn more about career placement at Wisconsin Law

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.

Learn more about tuition & aid at Wisconsin Law

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:

  1. Strong academic credentials
  2. A likelihood of success in law school demonstrated in other ways (including through leadership activities, extra-curricular experiences, or evidence of strong writing skills)
  3. Experiences or backgrounds that will enrich the law school or legal profession
Learn more about admission at Wisconsin Law

Admitted Applicant Profile

25-75% UGPA Range at Wisconsin:

3.54 to 3.92

25-75% LSAT Score Range at Wisconsin:

158 to 166

25-75% UGPA Range at Wisconsin:

3.54 to 3.92

25-75% LSAT Score Range at Wisconsin:

158 to 166

25-75% UGPA Range at Wisconsin:

3.54 to 3.92

25-75% LSAT Score Range at Wisconsin:

158 to 166