The University of Alabama School of Law

Alabama Law School

Although a glance at popular law school rankings reveals a relative dearth of top-tier law schools in the Southern United States, several excellent schools in the region continue to offer good legal educations and promising job prospects.  Among these schools is the University of Alabama School of Law, which has firmly established its reputation as a top-tier law school. Given the school's exceptionally low resident and non-resident tuition rates, enrolling would be a wise investment for applicants with hopes of studying and finding employment in Alabama and its neighboring states. 

History

The University of Alabama School of Law was founded in 1872, making it the first law school in Alabama. The school's first professor, Henderson M. Somerville, went on to become an Alabama Supreme Court Justice. William L. Thorington served as the school's first dean from 1897 to 1908. Throughout the years, the school has occupied parts of Woods, Manly, Barnard, and Morgan Halls, as well as all of Farrah Hall (named for Albert J. Farrah, Law Dean from 1913 to 1944). The school's current facility, the Law Center, was designed by Edward Durrell Stone and completed in 1978. As of 2000, the University of Alabama School of Law had graduated more than 8,300 students and was ranked among the Top 50 law schools in the United States.

The University of Alabama School of Law was accredited by the American Bar Association in 1926. It offers a broad curriculum taught by well-qualified faculty, and high academic standards ensure an outstanding student body. Student academic achievement is recognized by admission to the Order of the Coif, selection to the staff of three journals published by the Law School, participation in six moot court competitions, four national trial competitions, and numerous awards. The Law School’s alums include U.S. Supreme Court Justice Hugo L. Black (Class of 1906), seven state governors, nine U.S. Senators, thirty-one U.S. Representatives, and numerous state legislators, academics, leaders of the bar, and corporate executives. Loyal alums and friends provide private support through the Law Alumni Association, the Farrah Law Society, and the Law School Foundation.

Admissions

The Law School evaluates each application thoroughly, considering the entirety of the application. This holistic approach allows us to ensure that each application receives attention. An applicant’s Law School Admission Test (LSAT) (or the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) in lieu of the LSAT) and cumulative undergraduate grade point average (UGPA) are the two most significant factors in the admissions process. (See the Admissions Test section of the FAQs for information on submitting GRE scores for consideration.)

Statistics

Admissions Stats
Class of:	2020-2021	2021-2022
25th - 50th - 75th percentile LSAT	158 - 164 - 166	160 - 165 - 166
25th - 50th - 75th percentile GPA	3.57 - 3.94 - 4.0	3.58 - 3.94 - 4.0
Acceptance rate	35.7%	31.0%
Applications received	1509	1528
Acceptances	539	473
Matriculants	247	330

The median LSAT score for students at the University of Alabama School of Law is 165, with a 75th percentile score of 166 and a 25th percentile score of 160. The median UGPA for students is 3.94, with a 75th percentile score of 4.0 and a 25th percentile score of 3.58. Seven students did not have an LSAT score, but their mean UGPA was 4.0, and their mean ACT score was 31.

Acceptance Rate

The University of Alabama School of Law had 1,528 applicants during the 2022 application cycle. Of those applicants, 473 were offered admission. The 1L class size is 152, and the yield (the percentage of people who accept the offer of admission) is 31.50%. This means that 149 out of 473 applicants who were offered admission ended up attending the school.

Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) Scores

The University of Alabama School of Law has an Alternative Admissions Program that does not require applicants to take the LSAT. However, if you have taken the LSAT or will take the LSAT, the Law School will consider your score in making its decision. Although the LSAT is not required to apply through the 503 Alternative Admissions Program, a score may be necessary for an applicant to apply to another law school as an incoming first-year student or to transfer to another law school after the first year.

Transfer Application

The University of Alabama School of Law is great for transfer students. The school has a smooth transition process for transferring into the school and moving to Tuscaloosa. There are plenty of opportunities for students to get involved on campus, including joining student organizations, journals, trial advocacy, moot court competition teams, clinics, and social activities. If you're looking for a great law school to transfer to, Alabama Law is a great choice. To read a fantastic article about transferring, click here.

Tuition

Tuition 2022-2023
In-state tuition	$24,080
Out-of-state tuition	$44,470

The University of Alabama School of Law is a great choice for those looking for a quality education at an affordable price. Resident tuition is only $24,080, while nonresident tuition is $44,470. The school has also been named a "Best Value" Law School by the National Jurist. This is great for those seeking a quality education without breaking the bank.

Scholarship and Financial Aid

The University of Alabama School of Law offers scholarships to first-year applicants. Students can apply for loans through the school's financial aid office. To be considered for financial aid, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon after January 1 as possible. The FAFSA can be completed online at fafsa.ed.gov.

Academics & Curriculum

Like most law students, 1Ls at the University of Alabama School of Law enroll in required courses such as Contracts, Torts, and Legal Writing.  Many current students and recent graduates of the school have opined that the first year of law school at Alabama is by far the most academically rigorous, which is perhaps fairly common.  During their second and third, and probably more enjoyable, years at Alabama, students are for the most part free to choose from among 150 elective courses in rounding out their legal education.  The fact that a large majority of these courses contain less than 25 seats ensures that students at the University of Alabama Law School will have an opportunity to establish close connections with the professors who teach courses in their areas of interest.  Aside from 1L requirements and electives, students must also enroll in one seminar unless they have submitted a publishable article to one of the school's law journals.  Clinical opportunities are available as well, such as the Elder Law Clinic and a Capital Defense Clinic in which students assist the council representing death-row inmates.  Lastly, Alabama offers students interested in taking their legal education beyond American borders the opportunity to do so through two study abroad programs in Australia and Switzerland, respectively. Students participating in these summer programs can earn up to five credits towards their JD degree.

Quality of Life

The collegial atmosphere of Tuscaloosa and the city's low cost of living combine to provide a good quality of life for students of the University of Alabama School of Law.  Most apartments range in rent from $500 to $900, allowing students flexibility in choosing living options because law students usually do not live on the university campus.  As far as nightlife and entertainment options, the school has all the symptoms of a college town, with its countless number of bars and affordable and eccentric restaurants. Alabama Law School also does its part in providing social opportunities for students, such as golf tournaments, formal events, and the yearly tradition of a race to the courthouse in which students, often clad in shorts, dress shirts, and ties, chase an ambulance from their campus to the city courthouse.  Also, renovations recently completed at the law school have improved facilities and technology, bringing the law school up to speed with the rest of the University of Alabama's impressive campus, to which law students enjoy access. Safety is rarely an issue for students, as the less reputable areas of Tuscaloosa are not near the law school and can be easily avoided. It is safe to say that University of Alabama Law School students will enjoy their stay in Tuscaloosa.

Employment Prospects & Bar Passage

The average salary for a graduate of the University of Alabama School of Law is $115,000 if they go into the private sector and $57,376 if they work in the public sector. Over half of all law graduates from the school go on to work in law firms, while 19% clerk for a judge and 10.7% go into public interest. Finally, 93.6% of University of Alabama law graduates pass the bar on their first try.

In Alabama and its neighboring states, University of Alabama School of Law students enjoy strong job prospects. Top firms from many Southern states visit the campus annually to interview students, and most Alabama Law School graduates take on jobs in the region.

Synopsis

Applicants hoping to practice law in the Southern U.S. should give the University of Alabama School of Law lengthy consideration.  One of the best schools in the region, Alabama provides students a good legal education complimented by great job prospects at a much lower cost than similarly ranked schools. 

Contact Information

University of Alabama School of Law
Admission Office
Box 870382 101
Paul W. Bryant Drive,
East Tuscaloosa, AL 35487
Phone: (205) 348-5440
Email: admissions@law.ua.edu

https://www.law.ua.edu/admissions/

Summary

Established	1872
Location	East Tuscaloosa, AL
Dean	Mark E. Brandon
2022 US News Ranking	25th
LSAT Median Score	165
GPA Median Score	3.94
Bar Passage Rate	94% (2022)
Employment Rate	72% (2022)
Cost	"In-state tuition: $24,080 Out-of-state tuition: $44,470"
Average Debt	$62,337
Application Deadline	July 15, 2023

Forum and Discussion

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Reference

https://www.law.ua.edu/
LSD Law
Rank #25
LSAC Guide
How to Learn to Do Well on a Law School Exam
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The Guide to Law School Loans

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