Harvard and Duke Fall Out of Top Law School Rankings

April 8, 2025 — WASHINGTON, D.C. — In the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings, Yale Law School and Stanford Law School have maintained their longstanding positions at the pinnacle of legal education, tying for first place. Meanwhile, Harvard Law School and Duke University‘s School of Law have both dropped from the top five, now tied for sixth place.

The ranking changes, released on April 8, highlight significant shifts among law schools traditionally known as the top 14, or T-14. This year’s rankings reveal Vanderbilt University made the most notable ascent, climbing five spots to tie for fourteenth place.

In contrast, Cornell Law School experienced a notable decline, falling four spots to eighteenth and dropping out of the T-14. This year’s rankings indicate a competitive environment among law schools as they vie for prestige and recognition.

Stanford and Yale held steady in their number one positions, while The University of Chicago Law School and The University of Virginia School of Law remained at third and fourth, respectively. The University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School saw a marginal decline, dropping to fifth. The New York University School of Law and the University of Michigan Law School both moved up, tying for eighth place, while UCLA Law gained one spot, landing at twelfth.

The changes coincide with shifts in methodology by U.S. News & World Report that rely heavily on data provided by law schools to the American Bar Association (ABA). Nearly 60% of the rankings computation reflects successful job placement and bar passage rates, with additional weight given to faculty resources, student academic achievements, and peer assessments from legal experts.

A recent survey conducted by Kaplan found that 62% of law school admissions officers believe the U.S. News rankings have lost some prestige in recent years, marking an increase from 51% in 2023. The sentiment indicates growing dissatisfaction within legal education regarding the impact of these rankings.

“Our dedication to excellence is unwavering, and we strive to ensure the success of our students and institution,” stated Eboni S. Nelson, Dean of UConn Law, reflecting pride in the school’s recent rise to 50th place.

The Dean highlighted the success of their part-time Evening Division program, which jumped to seventh nationally. UConn Law boasts a 96% employment rate for its Class of 2023 and an impressive 84% pass rate on the Connecticut bar exam.

As students navigate their law school applications, Amit Schlesinger of Kaplan advises prospective students to focus on schools that meet their personal and career aspirations rather than relying solely on rankings. Despite criticism, the U.S. News rankings continue to hold significant influence over student decisions, with only 26% of prospective students in favor of eliminating the rankings altogether.

The volatile nature of the rankings and their implications for law schools raise ongoing discussions about the integrity and effectiveness of such evaluations in shaping legal education and recruitment practices. As the legal landscape evolves, the conversation surrounding the U.S. News rankings is likely to remain a focal point for educators, students, and legal professionals.