ABA-Approved Law Schools

Number of ABA-Approved Law Schools

The Council has accredited and approved 197 institutions and programs that confer the first degree in law (the J.D. degree).

Also on the approved list is the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General's School, which offers only the LL.M. degree. While the Council’s scope of accrediting authority does not permit it to formally accredit any non-J.D. degree program, it has continuously reviewed this special program since 1958 to ascertain its compliance with the ABA Standards for Approval of Law Schools that are relevant to its specialized program. The Council appreciates the opportunity to continue to provide this review and support to this distinctive and important program.

Lists of ABA-Approved Law Schools

Law Schools Alphabetically

Public Law Schools

Private Law Schools

Law Schools by Year Approved

Independent Law Schools

Religiously Affiliated Law Schools

Provisionally Approved Law Schools (+):

Jacksonville University College of Law

Law Schools on Probation (*)

N/A

Law Schools on a Teach-Out Plan (**)

Golden Gate University School of Law

Law Schools on a Teach-Out Plan are schools that are ceasing to operate as ABA approved law schools with continuing approval for the limited purpose of teaching out students admitted while the law school had ABA approval pursuant to an approved plan.

Distance Education

ABA-Approved Law Schools With Approved Distance Education J.D. Programs

Part-Time Programs

ABA-Approved Law Schools With Approved Part-Time Programs

ABA-Approved Law School Archive

A listing of ABA-Approved law schools that have either closed, voluntarily surrendered or had their ABA-approval status removed, merged with another school, been acquired by another school, or underwent a name change.

Visit the ABA-Approved Law School Archive

Statement on Law School Rankings

Neither the American Bar Association nor its Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar endorses, cooperates with, or provides data to any law school ranking system. No ranking or rating system of law schools is attempted or advocated by the ABA. Rather, the ABA provides only a statement of the accreditation status of a school. Fully approved schools have demonstrated that they are operating in compliance with each of the ABA Standards for Approval of Law Schools. Their compliance is regularly monitored and comprehensive reviews are conducted every tenth year. Provisionally approved schools, also considered "ABA-Approved," have been determined to be operating in substantial compliance with the ABA Standards for Approval of Law Schools. Prospective law students should consider a variety of factors in making their choice among schools. 

ABA Required Disclosures

The online ABA Required Disclosures website allows you to download Standard 509 Information reports, Employment Summary data charts, and Bar Passage reports for each ABA-approved law school.