If you live in Michigan, you won’t be the only one pursuing a legal degree. Law, in quote, is one of the most popular programs in the world. This complicates the process of selecting the best law school to study in Michigan.
Here lies the truth: Michigan harbors most of the top law schools you can find in the USA. These law schools draw individuals who aspire to make a real impact in the world to the legal profession.Â
Michigan is the tenth most populated state in the United States, and it is home to one of the country’s most populous and economically significant cities, Detroit.
Two of the colleges on this list are ‌in this city, giving students access to many externships, clinical rotations, and job prospects.
Hence, by studying in any of the best law schools in Michigan, your career in law can be financially profitable, with an average compensation of roughly 127k per year.
While you’re in search of the law schools in Michigan to enroll in, we’ve analyzed schools across the state to determine which ones are the best for law students seeking a degree in 2023.
Stay with us as we direct you to the right law schools in Michigan.
Table of Contents
What are the Requirements for Law Schools in Michigan?
Entering a law school requires some processes. Here are the requirements that need to be met in order to become a lawyer in Michigan.
- Get Your Michigan Undergraduate Pre-Law Major
- Pass your LSAT (Law School Admission Test) in Michigan.
- Find law schools in Michigan
- Take the Michigan State Bar Exam
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How Much Does Law School in Michigan Cost?
For the academic year 2021–2022, the average tuition and fees at five Michigan law schools are $47,543 for state residents and $48,758 for out-of-state students.Â
Meanwhile, the school’s average GPA is 3.43, and the average LSAT score is 156. And the average acceptance rate is 45.89 percent.
On the other hand, the highest tuition and fees are $64,854 at the University of Michigan Law School, while the lowest is $37,008 at Wayne State University Law School.
Meanwhile, some law schools in Michigan can be considered affordable or cheap compared to others.
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How Long is a Law School in Michigan?
In Michigan, most JD (Juris Doctor) programs last three years. While the first year provides an intensive introduction to the abilities you’ll need as a lawyer, including writing, argumentation, and analysis.
Then, the second and third years allow you to develop your talents by focusing on an area of interest in advanced coursework and seminars, clinical work, and writing assignments.
Another state with great law schools is California. Check Out the Best Law Schools in California
What are the Cheapest Law Schools in Michigan?
From our list, the University of Michigan Law School’s tuition and fees in 2023 are $61,854 for Michigan residents and $64,854 for out-of-state residents. This school seems to be one of the most expensive law schools in Michigan.
While the Western Michigan University’s Thomas M. Cooley Law School tuition fees in 2023 are $50,790. This is considerably cheaper than the above-stated.
On the other hand, the tuition and fees for Michigan State University College of Law in 2023 are $45,838.
Finally, the tuition and fees at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law in 2023 are $45,300. Hence, making it the cheapest law school you can find in Michigan.
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What are the Accredited Law Schools in Michigan?
Law schools in Michigan cannot operate properly without being accredited or approved by the American Bar Association.
The following Michigan law schools are ABA-approved. You can get more details about these law schools when you scroll up to the ranking of our best law schools in Michigan.
- University of Detroit Mercy School of Law
- The University of Michigan Law School
- Michigan State University College of Law
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What are the Best Law Schools in Michigan?
Michigan is among the states in the United States of America with notable law schools that offer law programs.
There are currently five law schools in Michigan and some universities that offer law programs in Michigan. They are:
- Michigan State University. East Lansing, MI
- Thomas M. Cooley Law School, Western Michigan University. Lansing, MI
- University of Detroit Mercy Detroit, MI
- University of Michigan. Ann Arbor, MI
- Wayne State University. Detroit, MI
- Madonna University
- Ferris State University
- University of Michigan-Dearborn
- Western Michigan University.
Before we go right into giving a full description of these law schools in Michigan, we grouped these schools based on categories stated below—most of these law schools in Lansing, Ann Arbor, and Detroit in Michigan.
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Finding the right school for you is the first step toward a legal profession. The best law schools you can find in Michigan are:
1. University of Michigan Law School
This is the first on our list of the best law schools in Michigan.
Basically, the University of Michigan Law School offers a close-knit community that values academic excellence and social commitment. And it was the first major law school to admit a ‌student.
According to the US News & World Report, it is the eighth-best city in the United States.
And the faculty at the institution comprises 72 full-time professors and 42 adjunct professors.
2. Law School of Thomas M. Cooley – Western Michigan University
Western Michigan University Law School, popularly known as Thomas M Cooley Law School, is a prominent national research university with over 23,000 students from the United States and over 100 other countries
Basically, the Law School is only responsible for its academic program as an independent institution.
It delivers a transformative practical legal education based on learning science that prepares and inspires our students to be lifelong learners and agents of positive change in their communities and profession.
We encourage you to apply to this school if you’re a student on a budget.
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3. Wayne State University Law School
For students, Wayne Law provides six different degree programs, three J.D. program alternatives, and other programs.
The law school offers programs leading to the degrees of Juris Doctor (J.D.), master of laws (LL.M.), online master of studies in law, and minors in law.Â
Judges, justices, law firm partners, and government officials among Wayne Law’s, over 12,000 graduates work in every major market in the United States and at least 17 countries.
Interestingly, the Wayne State University Law School is the most affordable law school in Michigan on our list. It is one of the most renowned and well-known law schools in the country.
The tuition and fees at Wayne State University Law School in 2023 are $33,935 for Michigan residents and $37,008 for out-of-state residents.
It’s a good time to join this queue of excellent scholars. Click the link below to apply.
4. The University of Detroit Mercy School of Law
Full-time, part-time, and extended part-time JD programs, as well as several dual degrees, including a J.D./M.B.A. and Dual J.D. program, are available at Detroit Mercy Law.
So, if you’re in any of the categories above, you can start by checking their programs and apply to this top law school Michigan has ever produced.
Contracts, Civil Procedure, Property, Torts, Criminal Law, Introduction to Legal Research and Communication, and Applied Legal Theory and Analysis are part of the first-year curriculum at Detroit Mercy Law (ALTA).
Constitutional Law, Evidence, Federal Income Taxation, and Professional Responsibility are among the other compulsory courses.
Definitely, you’ll stay informed before the end of your program.
Part-Time Law Schools in Michigan
Sometimes having a job and trying to go to school can be stressful. If that is your case, then attending a part-time school will be best for you to balance your work time and school time.
There is currently only one part-time law school in Michigan, which is:
5. The Michigan State University College of Law
The school’s part-time day program provides a more flexible choice than their full-time program. Students who choose this option can tailor their timetables to their requirements.
Students who choose this path work over 20 hours a week or have other obligations preventing them from studying full time.
Michigan State’s part-time program allows students to work to balance their work and school time.
MSU College of Law’s vibrant programming and supportive staff attracts a remarkable group of students from all around the country (and the world) and positions them for success.
Also, MSU Law graduates work in a variety of legal settings, including private firms, Fortune 100 companies, global nonprofits, and government agencies—alumni of MSU Law practice law in all 50 states and around the world.
Above all, an open, collaborative environment, a wide range of hands-on learning experiences, and an extraordinary curriculum characterize the MSU Law experience.
Get more information about your law career when you apply to this exceptional law school in Michigan.
Best Pre-law Schools in Michigan
Pre-law schools are schools that prepare you for law school. They set the standard and teach you what to expect in a law school.
The best pre-law schools to attend before entering a law school include:
6. Madonna University
Madonna University offers Paralegal Studies.
The Paralegal Studies Program’s goals and objectives are to generate very skilled and well-rounded persons who will be able to help an attorney in a variety of legal disciplines.
In addition to a liberal arts background, the curriculum emphasizes practical paralegal skills. Graduates will be able to provide useful talent to a modern, multicultural society.
7. Northern Michigan University
The 3+3 Legal Education Accelerated Program (LEAP) offered in this school allows qualified students to complete three years of undergraduate work at Northern Michigan University and three years of law school at Michigan State University to complete both the baccalaureate and the JD (Doctor of Jurisprudence) degrees in six years rather than seven.
Double-counting credits obtained during the first year of law school toward both the JD and the Baccalaureate degree allows for this enhanced legal education.
According to the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) scores and law school placements, NMU is one of the best pre-law schools in Michigan.
8. University of Detroit Mercy
If you have interest in being a lawyer, the Pre-Law Program at the University of Detroit Mercy offers a challenging curriculum and a variety of undergraduate judicial politics courses that will help you build a solid foundation in legal terminology, conducting legal research, writing legal briefs, and constructing logical legal arguments.
While this is not a degree program, you will obtain a Certificate in Legal Studies upon fulfilling the 24-credit hour requirements.
9. Alpena Community College
Alpena Community College offers Pre-law programs in Criminal Justice. Credits earned in this program can be used to transfer into a law school for further law studies.
The Top Law Schools in Michigan
From our analysis, they’re the three top law schools in Michigan based on bar passage rates, graduate employment, and even the institution’s acceptance rate.
They include:
The University of Michigan Law School:
The University of Michigan (UM) Law School is one of the top law schools in the United States. According to the US News & World Report, it is the eighth-best city in the United States.
Basically, to be admitted to UM Law, you must have a strong GPA and an LSAT score, while the median GPA was 3.76. It has a 28% acceptance rate.
Over the years, the university had a 93.3 percent bar passage rate, with 82.7 percent of graduates finding work within ten months of graduation.
The second top law school in Michigan on our list is;
Michigan State University College of Law:
The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 15:1, which is ideal for students who want to interact with professors more.
The median LSAT in 2018 was 154, and the median GPA was 3.46. Admission to MSU Law is difficult due to the school’s high rankings. MSU Law has a 47% acceptance rate, making it one of Michigan’s most challenging law schools to get into.
The school also had a 79.6 percent bar passage rate, with 71.8 percent of graduates finding work within ten months of graduation.
The third on our list is;
The University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) School of Law:
The Institution has a 61% acceptance rate, so they accept slightly more than half of the applicants.
Over the years, the typical LSAT score for accepted applicants was 151, with a 3.11 GPA. An astounding 82 percent of graduates found work within the first 10 months of graduation.
In 2018, the bar passage rate was 67.8%, which was lower than the state average of 69.5 percent.
Top Criminal Law Schools in Michigan
Criminal lawyers serve an important role in our society and the administration of justice, whether they are prosecuting those who break the law, defending those who have been accused of crimes, or doing other related tasks.
Top Michigan law schools with Criminal Law programs include:
- Michigan State University
- Madonna University
- Ferris State University
- Wayne State University.
- University of Michigan-Dearborn
- Saginaw Valley State College
- Western Michigan University.
- Lake Superior State University
- Grand Valley State University
Law Enforcement Schools in Michigan
Michigan is among the states in the US to have good Law enforcement schools.
Law Enforcement schools in Michigan are:
- Wayne State University Law School.
- Michigan State University College of Law,
- Law School in Detroit Mercy
- Marygrove College
- North Central Michigan College
Environmental Law Schools in Michigan
In the United States, the environment is still a hot topic. Everyone has an opinion on the state of the environment, from politicians to your next-door neighbor.
As you might expect, there are numerous environmental rules, and there is a growing demand for environmental lawyers who are familiar with the ins and outs of constantly changing legislation.
That is why there are law schools that offer environmental law in the USA.
Environmental law schools in Michigan include:
- University of Michigan Law School
- Wayne State University Law School.
- Michigan State University College of Law
- Western Michigan University. Law School of Thomas M. Cooley
- University of Law in Detroit Mercy
- Saginaw Valley State University
- University of Central Michigan
Conclusion
Having read this, you can come to the conclusion that Michigan is one of the States in the USA that has a good number of Law Schools to get a degree in Law.
Therefore, choosing a Law School in Michigan won’t be a bad idea for a person trying to get a degree in the Legal Profession.
Frequently Asked Questions
What GPA Do I Need for Michigan Law?
In 2019, approved applicants to the University of Michigan Law School had an average undergraduate GPA of 3.76. When compared to other elite law schools, such as Harvard (3.86) or Yale (3.86), this average is relatively low (3.93).
How Much Does it Cost to Attend the University of Michigan Law School?
It cost about $64,098 for state residents and $67,098 for out-of-state residents.
How Do You Become an Environmental Lawyer in the US?
Educational environmental lawyer requirements include a bachelor’s degree and a law degree, typically a Juris Doctor (JD). Upon graduating, they must complete successfully the bar exam. Those seeking a more senior or specialized role after graduating from law school may consider a post-graduate program.
Is Environmental Law a Good Career?
Environmental law can be a rewarding professional path, particularly for people with prior experience working in a regulated business, regulatory agency, or advocacy group.
References
- testmaxprep.com – Top law schools in Michigan
- Justia.com – Michigan Law Schools
- Michigan.law.umich.edu – Programs of Study
- Universities.com – Best Pre-Law Studies colleges in Michigan
- lawschool.uslegal.com – Michigan Accredited Law School
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