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Top Law Schools in Nevada

April 16, 2024
5 min read

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Reviewed by:

David Merson

Former Head of Pre-Law Office, Northeastern University, & Admissions Officer, Brown University

Reviewed: 4/16/24

Before you become a lawyer, the American Bar Association requires you to graduate from an accredited Law School. Read on and find out the top accredited law schools in Nevada.

Studying at one of the state's accredited law schools had many benefits. You can take your bar examination in any state in the US, and there are higher chances of getting jobs at the top legal firms. Before accreditation, the ABA monitors the applying school over three years to ensure that the law schools teach from a similar curriculum. 

If you plan to apply for law school in Nevada and do not know where to start, find a list of all schools with ABA accreditation. Here is a list of ABA-approved law schools in Nevada.

Top Law Schools In Nevada

Law School U.S. News Ranking Acceptance Rate Median LSAT
William S. Boyd School of Law, UNLV #89 34.3% 160

Nevada is a state with a growing economy and a diverse legal landscape. There are about 200 law schools in the United States, but only one exists in Nevada. The William S. Boyd School of Law is at the University of Las Vegas, Nevada. 

William S. Boyd School of Law

Law School U.S. News Ranking Acceptance Rate Median LSAT Median GPA Bar Passage Rate
William S. Boyd School of Law, UNLV #89 34.3% 160 3.78 72.5%

The William S. Boyd School of Law at UNLV offers a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree and a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree in gaming law. This law school was accredited by the American Bar Association in 2003 as one of the best law schools in Nevada. It is among the top 100 law schools in the USA, with a strong reputation for academic excellence.

You must pay a tuition of $48,400 plus mandatory fees of $2,800 and other optional fees of $1,200 for the 2023-2024 academic year. You can opt for a single or joint degree program that allows you to earn a JD/MBA or JD/MPH dual degree. The full-time day program requires three years, whereas the part-time programs take four years.

In addition, UNLV Boyd Law offers a strong practical program that enables students to obtain real-world experience through externships and legal clinics with regional charities and government organizations. 

With more than 15,000 active members, the school has a vibrant alumni network ready to support current students as they pursue successful legal professions following graduation.

Top Universities with Law Degrees in Nevada

Apart from being the only law school in Nevada, other institutions offer legal and law courses you can take before or after law school. Here are some of the top universities with law degrees in Nevada.

University of Nevada, Reno

University of Nevada, Reno Offers a Master's degree in Judicial Studies (MJS) and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Judicial Studies. In the United States, a JD degree is the highest education available in the legal profession.

It is the first professional graduate degree in law school. The Juris Doctor program is usually a three-year, full-time program, while a Ph.D. in judicial studies takes between four to six years. 

College of Southern Nevada

There is an opportunity at the College of Southern Nevada to study to serve as a legal professional in the law practice. The legal coursework combines paralegal with preparations in legal procedures, research, and writing high-quality legal services under the direction of an attorney. 

The Paralegal Program at this college is a member of the American Association for Paralegal Education, a national organization for high standards in paralegal education.

Nevada State College

The Nevada State College offers courses on criminal justice and law enforcement administration. NSC is one of the best law schools in Nevada that offers a Pre-law minor. With a pre-law minor, you can combine your major with classes that prepare you for law school. 

A Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Criminal Justice confirms that you have a sound knowledge of the criminal justice system and the management of law enforcement or criminal justice agencies.

Touro University Nevada

Touro University Nevada is primarily known for its health sciences programs but also offers legal studies or courses related to healthcare law. The curriculum covers healthcare regulations, medical ethics, and legal considerations within the healthcare industry. 

Touro University Nevada primarily focuses on the intersection of law and healthcare, and the duration of programs in this field can vary. 

Truckee Meadows Community College

TMCC's legal studies curriculum is designed to provide students with a well-rounded understanding of legal principles. You undergo legal writing, litigation procedures, and substantive law courses. 

The program may incorporate practical skills training and internships to enhance readiness for the workforce. Legal studies programs at TMCC, such as paralegal studies, typically take around 2 years.

TMCC has the Westlaw online research tool. It is the only community college in northern Nevada to do so. With this research tool, you can transfer some of your credits from the paralegal or law degree program to other Nevada state four-year colleges.

Great Basin College

GBC's legal studies curriculum is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in legal principles and practices. Within 2 years, you cover theoretical courses on legal writing, research, and various legal specialties, backed with practical experiences, such as internships or moot court participation.

Western Nevada College

WNC's legal studies curriculum combines introductory law courses with more advanced topics. It is one of the rare universities with a 100% acceptance rate. You can choose between contract law, torts, criminal law, and legal research. Legal studies programs at WNC, such as their associate degree in paralegal studies, typically take around 2 years.

DeVry University-Nevada

DeVry University typically integrates legal studies into its broader business-focused curriculum. Programs at DeVry aim to equip students with a unique skill set that combines legal knowledge with a strong foundation in business and technology. The duration of legal studies programs at DeVry University takes about 4 years to earn a bachelor's degree.

Phoenix University-Nevada

Legal courses at Phoenix University emphasize the relationship between law and business as part of the larger business and management curriculum.  The subjects cover compliance, ethics, business law, and legal issues in a business setting. The length of University of Phoenix programs can vary, even those having legal components, but bachelor's degree programs typically take four years.

Carrington College-Las Vegas

The legal studies program at Carrington College is designed to get you ready for jobs as a paralegal. Legal writing, research, and core principles are all covered in the courses. The program may also involve internships to expose students to the real world. Carrington College offers paralegal studies programs, among others, that last one to two years on average.

How to Find More Law Schools Near Nevada

Utilize our free tool to discover ideal law schools near Las Vegas, Nevada.

FAQs: Top Law Schools in Nevada

Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions by students considering law schools in Nevada.

1. How Many Law Schools Are in Nevada?

There is only one law school in Nevada, the William S. Boyd School of Law at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). However, about 200 law schools are distributed across the United States.

2. What Is the Best Law School in Nevada?

UNLV's William S. Boyd School of Law is the best law school in Nevada for its programs and faculty.

3. Is UNLV Law School Hard to Get Into?

Getting into UNLV Law School is not overly difficult, but it does require meeting certain criteria such as undergraduate GPA, LSAT scores, letters of recommendation, personal statements, and work experience. 

However, it's important to note that gaining admission to any law school involves a considerable level of dedication, stress, and workload compared to traditional colleges and universities.

4. What Is the LSAT Score for UNLV?

The LSAT score needed for admission to UNLV Law School can vary each year and is influenced by the overall applicant pool. Typically, the median LSAT score for UNLV for the 2023-2024 session is 160. It's advisable to check the latest data from UNLV's admissions office.

Final Thoughts

The William S. Boyd School of Law at UNLV is the top law school in Nevada, dedicated to shaping legal minds. If you're looking to become a lawyer in Nevada, focus on aligning your individual goals with the distinctive offerings of UNLV. 

Admission is usually competitive, with an acceptance rate of about 34%. Employ a holistic application strategy to help you excel in each requirement, from GPA and LSAT scores to crafting compelling personal statements.

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