Law may offer veterans an opportunity to continue the good fight, but this time in the courtroom rather than the battlefield. Below are law schools that are veteran-friendly.
School Comparison
| School Name | Institution Type | Location | In-State Graduate Tuition* (2022-2023) | Tuition Assistance/Military Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgetown University | Private not-for-profit, 4-year | Washington, DC | $56,592 | Military Law Society, veterans' alumni association |
| University of Chicago | Private not-for-profit, 4-year | Chicago, IL | $65,145 | Dedicated veteran staff, student veteran organization |
| University of California, Berkeley | Public, 4-year | Berkeley, CA | $11,700 | Veterans Practicum, dedicated contact staff |
| Quinnipiac University | Private not-for-profit, 4-year | Hamden, CT | $19,710 | Military Law Society, part-time classes |
Source: *National Center for Education Statistics;
Good Law Schools for Veterans
When it comes to law, there are many branches and specialties. Veterans will find that among the following law schools, there is a wide range of choices covered. There are small specialty law schools, as well as large institutions, which offer a variety of choices and dual-degree options.
Georgetown University - Georgetown Law
Veterans may enjoy Georgetown for its proximity to the nation's capital, almost as much as for the military-friendly programs and extensive academic choices. Georgetown features Military Awareness Month in November. The school also has a Military Law Society and the Georgetown University Student Veteran Alumni Association. This school also offers college credit for applicable military training, as well as a dedicated contact office for veterans.
According to U.S. News & World Report in 2023, Georgetown University Law Center has one of the most highly ranked programs in the country. It is within walking distance of the Capitol and the Supreme Court, and the law school has the largest full-time faculty in the nation. The school offers a number of degree programs, as well as interdisciplinary joint degrees, and eight certificates. This college also offers distance learning options and study abroad programs, as well as weekend and evening courses.
University of Chicago Law School
There are a number of benefits for veterans attending the law school at Chicago University, and among them is the provision of a dedicated staff to handle veterans' affairs, a student veterans' organization, and the Maroon Veterans Alliance.
University of Chicago is a leader in the fields of economics and law, particularly in how economics affects law and society. The law school offers a number of specialty disciplines as well as programs for developing leadership in a variety of areas. The school hosts the Pro Bono Service Initiative as well as the Public Service and Public Interest program, which law students can work in to gain legal experience prior to graduation. The school also offers law clinics where law students can cut their teeth on legal cases.
University of California, Berkeley Law
Berkeley offers veterans a number of benefits, such as the student veterans' organization and a veterans' services office. But the school also hosts a Veterans Practicum, which is a program that offers free legal service through the San Francisco VA Medical Center. It is an opportunity for veteran law students to help veteran citizens. The Berkeley Law Career Development Office also provides assistance to veterans who are interested in pursuing clerkships, an area of the law in which military personnel are under-represented.
University of California, Berkeley is a public university. Graduate students may take part in distance learning programs. There are approximately 45,000 students enrolled.
Quinnipiac University School of Law
This school allows college credit for military training, provides dedicated staff for veteran interests, and has a student veterans' organization. It also offers part-time law degrees, as well as distance learning options, which may be a benefit for veterans. In addition, Quinnipiac hosts a Military Law Society.
There are two primary areas in which Quinnipiac School of Law is focused, including healthcare law and dispute resolution. For veterans interested in these fields, this may be an excellent choice. In 2017, the Law School had a pass-rate for first-time takers of the bar at 85%, while the state average was 79%.
