Phillip EdwinTexas is home to a competitive and diverse legal education landscape, featuring schools that range from nationally recognized public flagships to prestigious private institutions. The University of Texas at Austin leads the state as a top-20 law school, while Texas A&M, SMU, and Baylor offer elite programs with strong regional and national placement.
With one of the largest legal markets in the country centered in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, Texas law schools provide robust career opportunities, high bar passage rates, and strong return on investment .
Top 15 Law Schools In Texas
1. The University of Texas School of Law (Austin)
UT Austin is the highest-ranked law school in Texas, holding the #16 spot nationally according to U.S. News & World Report, with a peer assessment score of 4.0 out of 5.0 . The school has an enrollment of 928 students, a 14% acceptance rate, and a median LSAT of 172 . Tuition for Texas residents is $38,236, while non-residents pay $56,822.
Students report a 96.8% employment rate ten months after graduation and a 95.9% first-time bar passage rate . The school features a 5.3:1 student-faculty ratio and offers extensive dual degree programs, including JD/MBA and JD/MPAff . Located in Austin, the school provides access to state government and a growing tech sector .
2. Texas A&M University School of Law (Fort Worth)
Texas A&M School of Law is the fastest-rising law school in the nation, currently ranked #22 overall by U.S. News & World Report, which places it in the top 25 nationally . The school has an enrollment of 393 students and a median LSAT of 169 . Tuition is $32,634 for in-state and $48,522 for out-of-state students . Texas A&M is recognized for its strong bar passage outcomes, ranking #13 nationally for overall bar passage . Located in Fort Worth, the school is situated in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, one of the largest and fastest-growing legal markets in the country. The school’s peer reputation score of 3.1 contributes to its overall rank .
3. Southern Methodist University (SMU) Dedman School of Law (Dallas)
SMU Dedman School of Law is ranked #42 nationally by U.S. News & World Report, making it one of the top private law schools in Texas. The school has an enrollment of 671 students and a median LSAT of 167. Tuition is $68,686 annually . SMU stands out for its exceptional employment outcomes, ranking #8 nationally for the percentage of graduates in long-term, full-time, bar-passage-required jobs . The school achieved a 97.75% first-time bar passage rate in 2025, ranking #5 nationally . In 2024, 99.58% of job-seeking graduates secured employment . SMU is also recognized with an A+ rating for its business law program.
4. Baylor University School of Law (Waco)
Baylor Law School is known for its rigorous, practice-oriented curriculum and has an enrollment of 438 students . The school has a median LSAT of 164 and tuition of $67,547. Baylor is recognized for its strong academic experience, earning a score of 92 on the Princeton Review’s Academic Experience rating . The school places a strong emphasis on trial advocacy and is known for producing skilled litigators.
5. University of Houston Law Center (Houston)
The University of Houston Law Center is a major public law school with an enrollment of 729 students . Tuition is $39,222 for in-state students and $54,947 for out-of-state students . The median LSAT for admitted students is 163. Located in the nation’s fourth-largest city, the school offers strong connections to Houston’s energy and corporate sectors.
6. Texas Tech University School of Law (Lubbock)
Texas Tech Law has an enrollment of 459 students and a median LSAT of 159 . It is the most affordable public law school in Texas, with in-state tuition of $27,532 and out-of-state tuition of $38,782 . Texas Tech is ranked #85 overall and holds a peer reputation score of 2.0 . The school ranks #13 nationally for overall bar passage and #12 for first-time bar passage .
7. South Texas College of Law Houston
South Texas College of Law Houston has an enrollment of 841 students and a median LSAT of 155 . Full-time tuition is $44,960, with a part-time option at $30,640 . The school is known for its strong trial advocacy program and practical legal training, preparing students for immediate entry into legal practice.
8. St. Mary’s University School of Law (San Antonio)
St. Mary’s Law has an enrollment of 698 students and a median LSAT of 153 . Full-time tuition is $44,910, with a part-time option at $29,862. The school serves the San Antonio legal market and is known for its strong community ties and public service focus.
9. University of North Texas at Dallas College of Law (Dallas)
UNT Dallas College of Law is the most affordable law school in Texas, with in-state tuition of $18,762 and out-of-state tuition of $31,199. The school has an enrollment of 279 students and a median LSAT of 156. UNT Dallas offers a unique mission of providing accessible legal education to a diverse student population.
10. Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University (Houston)
Texas Southern University’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law has an enrollment of 552 students and a median LSAT of 150 . Full-time tuition is $28,167 . The school has a peer reputation score of 1.5 . It is a historically Black law school with a strong commitment to diversity and public service.
11. Texas A&M University School of Law (Fort Worth)
Texas A&M Law is also noted for its online Master of Legal Studies program and its LLM programs for international students. The school’s MLS program offers a Business Law and Compliance emphasis for non-lawyer professionals.
12. SMU Dedman School of Law (Dallas)
SMU Dedman Law offers an LL.M. (General) program for U.S. and international law graduates, providing specialized study in corporate and commercial law, international law, and property law. The school’s Corporate Counsel Externship Program places students with companies like AT&T and Hewlett Packard.
13. University of Texas School of Law (Austin)
UT Austin offers 11 student-run journals, including the Texas Law Review, and 9 dual degree programs, including JD/MBA and JD/MSW . The school also features a Society Program that builds community among students and provides access to faculty .
14. Baylor University School of Law (Waco)
Baylor Law offers a JD program with a focus on practice-ready skills and a strong alumni network. The school’s academic experience score of 92 reflects its commitment to rigorous legal education. Many recognized legal experts passed through these halls, and the school remains commited to shaping the legal future.
15. St. Mary’s University School of Law (San Antonio)
St. Mary’s Law offers both full-time and part-time JD programs, making it accessible to working professionals and students with diverse schedules . The school’s part-time tuition of $29,862 provides an affordable pathway to legal education .
Comparison Table
| No | School Name | Location | Tuition (In‑State) | Median LSAT | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | UT Austin | Austin | $38,236 | 172 | #16 nationally, 14% acceptance, 96.8% employment |
| 2 | Texas A&M University | Fort Worth | $32,634 | 169 | #22 nationally, #13 bar passage, fastest‑rising |
| 3 | SMU Dedman | Dallas | $68,686 | 167 | #42 nationally, 97.75% bar pass, #8 employment |
| 4 | Baylor University | Waco | $67,547 | 164 | Practice‑oriented, strong academic experience |
| 5 | University of Houston | Houston | $39,222 | 163 | Energy sector connections, large enrollment |
| 6 | Texas Tech University | Lubbock | $27,532 | 159 | Most affordable public, strong bar passage |
| 7 | South Texas College of Law | Houston | $44,960 | 155 | Trial advocacy focus, part‑time option |
| 8 | St. Mary’s University | San Antonio | $44,910 | 153 | Part‑time option, community service focus |
| 9 | UNT Dallas | Dallas | $18,762 | 156 | Most affordable law school in Texas |
| 10 | Texas Southern University | Houston | $28,167 | 150 | HBCU, diversity and public service focus |
Success Tips for Applying to Law School
Start by focusing on your LSAT score and GPA, as these are the most heavily weighted factors in law school admissions. UT Austin’s median LSAT is 172 with a GPA range of 3.75-3.96, indicating that top programs are highly selective.
Consider your career goals and preferred location, as schools like Texas A&M and SMU offer strong placement in the Dallas-Fort Worth market, while UT Austin provides connections to state government and tech.
Research each school’s bar passage rates and employment outcomes, as Texas A&M ranks #13 for bar passage and SMU has a 99.58% employment rate.
For cost-conscious students, UNT Dallas offers the most affordable tuition at $18,762, while Texas Tech provides strong value at $27,532 .
Finally, apply early and submit a complete application, as many schools operate on rolling admissions with deadlines as early as March 1 .
Closing
Texas offers a strong and diverse legal education landscape, with UT Austin leading the state as a top-20 national school and Texas A&M, SMU, and Baylor providing elite options with exceptional career outcomes. The state’s law schools are uniquely positioned in fast-growing legal markets like Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston, offering students access to major law firms, corporate legal departments, and government agencies.
With a range of affordable public options and prestigious private institutions, aspiring lawyers can find programs that match their career goals and financial needs. Note that all information, including rankings, tuition, and admissions data, is subject to change, so it is essential to verify current details directly with each school and through official sources like U.S. News & World Report and LSAC.