We are pleased to share good news about the University of Georgia School of Law and its vision to be the best return on investment in legal education.
The School of Law is now ranked 27th in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, its second highest ranking in history. This news comes on the heels of the School of Law being named the best value in legal education for the third consecutive year - a first for the National Jurist ranking. For each of the past several years, we have seen a reduction in aggregate student indebtedness, average student indebtedness and the percentage of students who need to borrow at all.
Several years ago, the School of Law laid the foundation of its return-on-investment vision. The school examined its spending and increased scholarship aid for students. The school prioritized outcomes like bar passage and employment in addition to expanding experiential learning offerings and support for students, including first-generation college graduates and veterans.
"The people of this law school remain its most extraordinary strength as thousands invested in that vision," Dean Peter B. "Bo" Rutledge said. "Our alumni, alumnae and friends contributed indispensable financial resources, mentored students and offered jobs. UGA President Jere Morehead (J.D.'80) provided unflagging support for our efforts to help keep a first-rate legal education affordable. Our faculty and staff demonstrated a deep and abiding commitment to prepare our students to become the legal leaders of tomorrow. Our students rose to the challenge and sought opportunities to serve the citizens of our state and an increasingly global society."
The School of Law also posted gains in the specialty areas of international law (to 18) and clinical training (to 24), which highlights two centers of excellence at the state of Georgia's flagship law school. "The School of Law strives to provide first-rate legal training for tomorrow's legal leaders. Both areas contribute to that vision through global practice preparation and meaningful hands-on learning," Rutledge said.