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Reviewed: 3/18/25
This article covers some of the best schools for family law in the United States.
Family law covers various aspects that affect our everyday lives. Family lawyers may handle cases that involve domestic abuse, child custody, divorce, education advocacy, juvenile rights, reproductive rights, asset distribution, and adoption and surrogacy, to name a few.
Family lawyers work closely with their clients to advocate for them during pivotal points in their lives. While practicing family law can, at times, be emotionally complex and challenging, family lawyers have the opportunity to make effective, positive changes in clients’ lives.
If you have an interest in family law, continue reading for a list of the best schools for family law. We also have included a brief FAQ section to help you start your journey into family law.
Here is a list of the best law schools for family law. Tuition costs are all based on in-state rates. Please note that all median GPAs and LSAT scores are based on the ABA Standard 509 reports for the 2024 first-year class.
Why pick Harvard: Harvard Law School offers a “Domestic Violence and Family Law” Clinic where students have the opportunity to interview clients, negotiate with opposite parties, represent clients, draft legal documents, and more.
Acceptance rate: 10.97%
Median LSAT Score: 174
Median GPA: 3.95
Tuition: $80,760 per year
Why pick Columbia: Columbia University has a renowned family law program that focuses on the intersections of family, gender, and sexuality. Ruth Bader Ginsburg was the first woman who was a full-time professor at the Law School.
Acceptance rate: 11.75%
Median LSAT Score: 173
Median GPA: 3.90
Tuition: $81,888 per year
Why pick DePaul University: DePaul’s College of Law has an innovative family law program with a variety of options for students, including a Domestic Violence Practicum, Externship Program, and a Family Law Field Clinic.
Acceptance rate: 45.37%
Median LSAT Score: 158
Median GPA: 3.65
Tuition: $53,716 per year
Why pick Maurer School of Law: Maurer School of Law has a strong family law program with various student activities and publications that pertain to family law topics like gender, marriage, and reproductive rights. The school also provides students with hands-on experience working in a family law office through their family office program.
Acceptance rate: 39.45%
Median LSAT Score: 164
Median GPA: 3.91
Tuition: $36,950 per year
Why pick New York Law School: NYU recently launched a year-long “Juvenile Defender Clinic” that allows students to work closely with youth and youth-related issues, including alcohol abuse and educational neglect.
Acceptance rate: 52.71%
Median LSAT score: 156
Median GPA: 3.59
Tuition: $79,954
Why pick Michigan Law: Michigan Law has a team of acclaimed faculty as well as a law library with over 500,000 titles.
Acceptance rate: 11.85%
Median LSAT score: 171
Median GPA: 3.86
Tuition: $72,552
Why pick Maurice A. Deane School of Law: Hofstra’s law school has programs and training in areas prominent in current family law, including youth advocacy, immigration, and community development. The school also has one of the best Child and Family Advocacy Fellowships in the nation.
Acceptance rate: 50.86%
Median LSAT score: 155
Median GPA: 3.62
Tuition: $70,870
Why pick Drake University: Drake University has been named one of the top law schools in the U.S. for family and child law several times, based on curriculum, course offerings, and clinics.
Acceptance rate: 60.17%
Median LSAT score: 156
Median GPA: 3.56
Tuition: $50,920
Why pick Emory University School of Law: Emory is the 42nd best law school to attend and is also a top 25 in various other categories, including its reputation among lawyers and judges. They offer an LLM concentration in Child Law and Policy.
Acceptance rate: 40.12%
Median LSAT score: 165
Median GPA: 3.81
Tuition: $67,480
Why pick the University of Oregon: The University of Oregon was ranked #1 in Legal Research and Writing in the state of Oregon. The school also has domestic abuse and child advocacy concentrations.
Acceptance rate: 66.42%
Median LSAT score: 159
Median GPA: 3.56
Tuition: $45,516
Still have questions about going into family law? Continue reading as we answer some frequently asked questions about family law.
While no perfect undergraduate degree will ensure your success in family law, it is best to pick a program that interests you and relates to your future career goals.
Majors like political Science, psychology, and criminal justice are some of the most common undergraduate programs taken by applicants accepted into law school. Other majors that may help prepare you for family law include English, history, and economics.
However, remember that your overall GPA and LSAT score are more important when applying for law school than your undergraduate program title. Degrees that will help build your empathy, critical thinking skills, writing skills, time management skills, and political knowledge are probably the best options for an aspiring family lawyer.
To become a family law lawyer, you'll need to start with a strong GPA and LSAT score to get into a good law school—like the ones listed here! Pick one with a solid family law program or clinics, take relevant courses, and gain hands-on experience through internships.
Make sure to network with your peers and professors throughout law school, as they can help you land a job postgraduation. After completing your JD, you’ll be able to apply to nonprofits, government jobs, or private practice openings, depending on your interests.
Studying family law takes the same amount of time as most other areas of law. To become a family lawyer, you must complete your J.D. like any other law student. This typically takes three years if you are studying full-time.
As mentioned previously, there is no specific undergraduate degree or courses that will ensure your success in family law. However, subjects that cover government, politics, and the humanities may increase your understanding of topics relevant to family law.
While you complete your J.D., you should take as many family law courses as you can. Taking a variety of courses will also help you discover the area of focus you’re most interested in.
Choosing the best school for family law can be challenging. If you are seriously considering practicing family and child law, this article aims to show you that there are many great family law schools out there.
With so many options, you’re sure to receive an education with extensive and exceptional course offerings, programs, and clinics to build your expertise and career.
David Merson was the original author of this article. Snippets of his work may remain.
