University of Tennessee Law School Overview
Since its inception in 1890, the University of Tennessee Law School has been recognized as a highly respected learning institution. Named one of the top 20 law schools nationwide by the Princeton Review in 2018, UT Law has the country’s longest-running legal clinical program.
The Legal Clinic program at the University of Tennessee Law School was ranked 9th among public universities and 20th among all schools in the nation by U.S. News and World Reports. By providing students with actual clients needing legal recourse, the Legal Clinic program sets students up for future success as they increase their knowledge and review their work and that of their peers.
A variety of other programs and centers give the University of Tennessee Law School students opportunities to delve into specific areas of their law training. That includes centers that focus on advocacy and dispute resolution, entrepreneurial law, and legal writing. Additionally, programs are available that provide mentorship and opportunities for pro-bono work.
Students at the University of Tennessee Law School can also undertake externships, field placements with businesses or non-profits, and a capstone semester in residence with an employer. For a multicultural experience, study abroad options are offered for second- and third-year students in Cambridge, England; Beijing, China; and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The University of Tennessee Law School offers some unique experiences that help set their students up for success. The Problem-Solving Seminar, introduced in the first year, helps bridge the gap between classwork and final exams, the bar exam, and actual law practice. This goal is accomplished through mentorship relationships with students in the upper level and practice sessions that teach critical analysis, problem-solving, and stress and time management.
For upper-level students, UT Law provides a variety of seminars focused on different aspects of the bar exam. That includes information about the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam, guidance on choosing the best commercial bar course, and skills and strategies necessary for passing the bar exam.
Another way the University of Tennessee Law School provides opportunities for their students’ success is through the Bettye B. Lewis Career Center. This center provides assistance to students and alumni alike and was instrumental in helping 95% of graduates find employment in the first ten months after finishing school in 2019.
With a ratio of 14.8 students to 1 faculty member, students at the University of Tennessee Law School can expect hands-on learning guided by experts in their field. The Social Science Research Network ranks UT Law as one of the top five law schools in the nation based on downloads per paper written by its faculty members. Additionally, five faculty members are Fulbright Scholars.
As a historic and renowned law school, the University of Tennessee Law School has many notable alumni. Some of these include:
- Cheri Beasley – The first African American woman to serve as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in North Carolina
- Howard Henry Baker, Jr. – Chief of Staff for President Ronald Reagan, U.S. Senator from Tennessee, and U.S. Diplomat to Japan
- Victor Henderson Ashe – Former U.S. Ambassador to Poland
University of Tennessee Law School Rankings
Researching a school’s ranking is an important step when searching for a law school. Not only does a law school’s ranking reveal information about the quality of education you will receive, but it also gives you an idea of how likely you are to be accepted. Additionally, employers tend to look at the ranking of prospective employees’ alma mater to understand their credentials.
Rankings can be found from various independent sources, but the most official is the U.S. News and World Reports. This report looks at a variety of factors, including GPA and LSAT scores, quality of faculty, and post-graduation employment rates.
The University of Tennessee Law School ranks as 59th nationwide according to the U.S. News and World Reports, and among public law schools, it ranks as 30th. In 2018, it was named one of the Princeton Review’s 20 best law schools in the U.S.
University of Tennessee Law School Admissions
What Is the University of Tennessee Law School Acceptance Rate?
With an acceptance rate of 37%, the University of Tennessee Law School is considered moderately competitive. Compared to highly competitive schools like Harvard or Yale, with acceptance rates below 12%, chances of admission are significantly higher. However, it is still below the average national acceptance rate of 45%.
Generally speaking, the lower the acceptance rate is at a school, the higher quality you can expect. That includes factors like well-qualified faculty members, superb education programs, and secure infrastructure.
To increase your chances of being accepted at any competitive school, it helps to:
- Get a good GPA in your undergraduate program. UT Law’s current average undergrad GPA is 3.6.
- Do well on the LSAT. Even if your undergrad GPA is below the median, getting a good score on the LSAT can greatly increase your chances of acceptance.
- Write a purposeful, genuine application letter. Universities want to know the intentions and diverse life experiences you will bring to campus, so highlighting these in a well-written letter can be your application’s deciding factor.
In 2022, the University of Tennessee Law School had 1,004 applications. Out of these, 374 received offers. 116, or 11.6% of the original number, ended up enrolling in the school.
The acceptance rate at the University of Tennessee Law School has remained around 37% since 2016. The year before, the number of applicants, admitted students, and test score levels all rose for the first time in five years, and have continued to rise in the following years.
| Applications | Offers | Matriculated | |
| Class of 2023 | 1,004 | 374 (37.25%) | 116 (11.6%) |
| 25% | Median | 75% | |
| GPA | 3.31 | 3.64 | 3.8 |
| LSTAT | 153 | 158 | 161 |
University of Tennessee Law School LSAT Percentiles
| 75th Percentile | 161 |
| 50th Percentile | 158 |
| 25th Percentile | 153 |
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2019 Entering Class Profile
| Number of Students | 385 |
| LSAT Score | 158 |
| Undergraduate GPA | 3.64 |
| % of Women | 45.50% |
| % Students of Color | 9.9% |
| % Enrolled Directly After College |
What Is the Tuition For the University of Tennessee Law School?
| In-State Resident | Non-Resident | |
| Full Time | $19,256 | $37,903 |
| Part Time | N/A | N/A |
What Are the Living Expenses at the University of Tennessee Law School?
| On-Campus expenses | N/A |
| Off-Campus expenses | $21,072 |
What Are the Housing Options at the University of Tennessee Law School?
| On-Campus housing | No |
| Off-Campus housing | Yes |
BAR Passage Rates at the University of Tennessee Law School
| Reporting | 87.2% |
| First Time Takers | 148 |
| University of Tennessee Law Average | 83.7% |
| State Average | 74.5% |
| National Average | 79.64% |
Application Deadlines
When will the University of Tennessee application materials be available?
Application materials for the University of Tennessee Law School are available year-round on the school’s website.
When does the University of Tennessee begin accepting applications?
UT Law accepts applications on a rolling basis and encourages prospective students to apply early, as their application will be reviewed as soon as it is received.
How are applications to the University of Tennessee submitted?
You can submit your application via the Law School Admissions Council website.
Does the University of Tennessee have an “early admission” or “early decision” process?
The University of Tennessee requests that prospective students make a commitment to enrolling in UT Law if accepted through the early decision process. If offered a place, the applicant must pay a $500 deposit within ten days after accepting the offer.
How much is the application fee and when is the deadline?
| Application Fee | $15 |
| Early Decision Deadline | December 1 |
| Regular Decision Deadline | January 15 |
Does the University of Tennessee grant interviews?
The University of Tennessee does not grant interviews.
Employment After the University of Tennessee Law School
| 2021 Median Salary Private Sector | $63,750 |
| 2021 Median Salary Public Sector | $51,700 |
The University of Tennessee Law School had an excellent post-graduation employment rate of 95% in 2019, and that number has steadily increased over the past several years. Part of the secret to this success is UT Law’s well-connected career center that helps connect students with prospective employers.
Out of 113 students who found employment after graduation in 2021, 90 are employed full-time in long-term positions requiring the bar exam. For prospective students who hope to have a career in law, this is a clear indicator that the University of Tennessee Law School is an effective program.
Other jobs related to the legal field that employ UT Law alumni include government, business and industry, and clerkships. Employees of private law firms tend to be the highest paid, followed by government jobs. Typical salaries range from $61,000 to $100,000.
Many of the graduates working in these fields go on to have successful careers in the South Central and South Atlantic regions of the United States. Over the past several years, most found employment in Tennessee, while others worked in states like Ohio, North Carolina, Kentucky, and Georgia.
