AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT LAW SCHOOLS AND THEIR PROGRAMS
Business by LA Times Studios presents the 25 largest law schools operating in California. The 25 largest law schools on the next pages awarded more than 2,200 degrees last year.
While schools are affiliated with larger universities, several schools are independent law schools that offer a wide range of programs, including University of California College of the Law in San Francisco and Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles.
Many law schools are accredited by the American Bar Association. Law schools approved by the American Bar Association must maintain a 75% two-year cumulative pass rate.
In California, some schools are accredited by the State Bar of California. These state-accredited law schools may offer online-only programs. All state-accredited law schools must maintain a minimum, five-year cumulative bar passage rate of 40% or higher. Unaccredited law schools are not required to maintain a minimum bar pass rate.
Most law schools responded to questionnaires for this list, but in some instances, information from accreditation reports was utilized.
The number of law schools in California declined last year. Golden Gate University School of Law in San Francisco discontinued its program due to declining enrollment and financial troubles.
Many law schools offer clinics that allow students an opportunity to gain experience around various areas of law. For example, UCLA School of Law operates a Tribal Legal Development Clinic to improve the lives of Indigenous people throughout California and the country. The school received a $2.2 million grant from the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians in October 2024 to further support the ongoing work of that clinic.
On the following pages, you’ll also find in-depth profiles of law schools that offer a wide array of programs and classes to fit a diverse California student population.
Overall, the 25 largest law schools in California have more than 7,400 students enrolled as of Jan. 1.
TOP LAW PROGRAMS IN CALIFORNIA
UC Berkeley Law
Location: Berkeley
Law Degrees Awarded: 754
Total Graduate Level Enrollment: 1847
Year Founded: 1894
Dean: Erwin CHEMERINSKY
law.berkeley.edu
University of California College of the Law, San Francisco
Location: San Francisco
Law Degrees Awarded: 412
Total Graduate Level Enrollment: 1174
Year Founded: 1878
Dean: David FAIGMAN
uclawsf.edu
LMU Loyola Law School
Location: Los Angeles
Law Degrees Awarded: 408
Total Graduate Level Enrollment: 1056
Year Founded: 1920
Dean: Brietta R.CLARK
lls.edu
UCLA Law
Location: Los Angeles
Law Degrees Awarded: 372
Total Graduate Level Enrollment: 994
Year Founded: 1949
Dean: Michael WATERSTONE
law.ucla.edu
University of San Diego, School of Law
Location: San Diego
Law Degrees Awarded: 356
Total Graduate Level Enrollment: 836
Year Founded: 1954
Dean: Robert A. SCHAPIRO
sandiego.edu/law
Pepperdine University, Rick J. Caruso School of Law
Location: Malibu
Law Degrees Awarded: 319
Total Graduate Level Enrollment: 803
Year Founded: 1969
Dean: Paul L. CARON
law.pepperdine.edu
Southwestern Law School
Location: Los Angeles
Law Degrees Awarded: 290
Total Graduate Level Enrollment: 1006
Year Founded: 1911
Dean: Darby DICKERSON
swlaw.edu
UC Davis, School of Law
Location: Davis
Law Degrees Awarded: 243
Total Graduate Level Enrollment: 605
Year Founded: 1965
Dean: Jessica BERG
law.ucdavis.edu
USC Gould School of Law
Location: Los Angeles
Law Degrees Awarded: 221
Total Graduate Level Enrollment: TBD
Year Founded: 1900
Dean: Franita TOLSON
gould.usc.edu
California Western School of Law
Location: San Diego
Law Degrees Awarded: 218
Total Graduate Level Enrollment: 650
Year Founded: 1924
Dean: Sean M. SCOTT
cwsl.edu
University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law
Location: Sacramento
Law Degrees Awarded: 202
Total Graduate Level Enrollment: 682
Year Founded: 1924
Dean: Michael HUNTER SCHWARTZ
pacific.edu/law
Santa Clara University, School of Law
Location: Santa Clara
Law Degrees Awarded: 202
Total Graduate Level Enrollment: 694
Year Founded: 1911
Dean: Michael J. KAUFMAN
law.scu.edu
Stanford Law School
Location: Stanford
Law Degrees Awarded: 199
Total Graduate Level Enrollment: 565
Year Founded: 1893
Dean: George TRIANTIS
law.stanford.edu
UC Irvine School of Law
Location: Irvine
Law Degrees Awarded: 195
Total Graduate Level Enrollment: 509
Year Founded: 2008
Dean: Austen PARRISH
law.uci.edu
Chapman University, Dale E. Fowler School of Law
Location: Orange
Law Degrees Awarded: 144
Total Graduate Level Enrollment: 404
Year Founded: 1995
Dean: Paul PATON
chapman.edu/law
University of San Francisco School of Law
Location: San Francisco
Law Degrees Awarded: 117
Total Graduate Level Enrollment: 572
Year Founded: 1912
Dean: Johanna KALB
usfca.edu/law
Purdue Global Law School
Location: Los Angeles
Law Degrees Awarded: 95
Total Graduate Level Enrollment: 650
Year Founded: 1998
Dean: Martin PRITIKIN
purduegloballawschool.edu
Western State College of Law at Westcliff University
Location: Irvine
Law Degrees Awarded: 76
Total Graduate Level Enrollment: 353
Year Founded: 1966
Dean: Marisa S. CIANCIARULO
wsulaw.edu
Thomas School of Jefferson Law
Location: San Diego
Law Degrees Awarded: 71
Total Graduate Level Enrollment: 270
Year Founded: 1969
Dean: Dawn DEKLE
tjsl.edu
Colleges of Law
Location: Ventura
Law Degrees Awarded: 66
Total Graduate Level Enrollment: 363
Year Founded: 1969
Dean: Jackie GARDINA
collegesoflaw.edu
Monterey College of Law
Location: Seaside
Law Degrees Awarded: 53
Total Graduate Level Enrollment: 248
Year Founded: 1972
Dean: Mitchel L. WINICK
montereylaw.edu
UWLA School of Law
Location: Inglewood
Law Degrees Awarded: 52
Total Graduate Level Enrollment: 315
Year Founded: 1966
Dean: Jay FRYKBERG
uwla.edu
San Joaquin College of Law
Location: Clovis
Law Degrees Awarded: 40
Total Graduate Level Enrollment: n/a
Year Founded: 1969
Dean: Janice PEARSON
sjcl.edu
Trinity Law School
Location: Santa Ana
Law Degrees Awarded: 38
Total Graduate Level Enrollment: 459
Year Founded: 1980
Dean: Eric HALVORSON
tls.edu
Cal Northern School of Law
Location: Chico
Law Degrees Awarded: 13
Total Graduate Level Enrollment: 54
Year Founded: 1983
Dean: Sandra L. BROOKS
calnorthern.edu
