Michigan Law Schools Rise and Fall in Latest U.S. News Rankings

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Law School ranked No. 8, while Wayne State University found itself positioned at No. 71 in the latest U.S. News & World Report’s law school rankings, released Tuesday.

The University of Michigan, a prominent name in legal education, maintained its place among the top 10 law schools, tied with New York University. This marks a strong performance in the 2025 rankings, particularly given the competitive nature of the assessment.

Stanford and Yale Law Schools remain tied for the top spot, followed closely by the University of Chicago and the University of Virginia. Harvard and Duke Universities tied for sixth place. This year’s rankings come amid scrutiny of how various law schools compare on pivotal indicators such as employment outcomes and bar passage rates.

According to U.S. News, Michigan’s law school reported a tuition of approximately $75,974 for out-of-state students, with a competitive acceptance rate of 11.9%. Its student-to-faculty ratio stood at 6.6 to 1, and the enrollment for the academic year was set at 978 students. These figures illustrate a solid foundation for one of the nation’s most prestigious law programs.

In contrast, Wayne State University reported a tuition fee of $43,460 for out-of-state students, a student-faculty ratio of 5.9 to 1, and an acceptance rate of 29.3%, with an enrollment of 389 students. Despite being tied with various other institutions, its ranking slipped by 16 points from the previous year.

Michigan State University fell to a rank of 115, dropping seven spots, while the University of Detroit Mercy was positioned at No. 136. Cooley Law School found itself in the lower range, between Nos. 178 and 195. The rankings reflect a comprehensive assessment from data collected in late 2024 through early 2025.

New metrics implemented this year included monitoring the success of graduates in securing positions at large law firms, where employment typically exceeds 500 attorneys. Moreover, factors assessing graduates’ attendance at public interest jobs and those serving in federal judicial clerkships were equally factored into the rankings.

According to Derek Muller, a law professor at Notre Dame, changes to the U.S. News ranking methodology, made three years ago in response to criticism from elite schools, have induced greater volatility in the rankings, especially among the top institutions.

“The metrics based on employment outcomes and diversity have altered how schools appear annually,” Muller stated. “It effectively creates fluctuations in rankings that could substantially shift a law school’s perceived standing.”

In addition, long-established institutions like Harvard Law School and Duke University faced declines, both sliding two positions to ranks No. 6 and No. 8 respectively. Overall, the U.S. News rankings have been both a benchmark and a source of debate regarding the assessment of law schools nationwide.

Both the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor and Wayne State University contribute significantly to Michigan’s legal education landscape, with each institution showcasing a unique approach to law training and student development.

The release of the 2025 Best Graduate Programs rankings underscores the ongoing evolution in higher education metrics, presenting valuable data for prospective students navigating their academic futures.