UNLV Law School Overview
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas William S. Boyd School of Law is the first and the only law school in Nevada. Located in a dynamic and peaceful area, UNLV offers its students an intimate environment where they can study the basics and principles of law. The school, also known as UNLV Boyd Law, takes advantage of its location to offer studies of gaming law. Students can also study intellectual property, health law, and dispute resolution. In 2018, the school added Business and Commercial Law as separate educational programs.
The university is accredited by the American Bar Association and is an official member of the Association of American Law Schools. As the only law school in the area, UNLV prides itself on strong employment numbers for its graduates. For the class of 2019, around 88% of the students secured jobs after graduation – about 58% in law firms, 7% in local and federal state government, and the rest in business or academia.
The full-time law school is guided by well-respected and experienced legal educators who place great importance on educating students about the basics and principles of law.
At UNLV, students will have access to outstanding facilities, materials, and digital support as they pursue their law education. The famous Thomas and Mack Moot Court facility provides a scene for judicial proceedings and supports the school’s advocacy programs. It includes a 100-seat auditorium and a courtroom where legal education, discussions, and argument simulation occur. The Wiener-Rogers Law Library holds the most extensive collection of documents in Nevada. Students have access to a rich legal collection of materials, classrooms, computer labs, and conference rooms.
At UNLV Law School, the IT department provides a wide variety of technology services. Students have access to computer-based exams, databases, lab, and technology-mediated classrooms. UNLV even offers the first LLM in Gaming Law, covering topics in sports betting, gaming regulation, lottery, employment relations, licensing, and zoning. Students can gain practical experience through internships, externships, and experiential learning opportunities.
UNLV Law School Rankings
When considering job candidates coming out of law schools, reputable law firms, governments, and other prospective employers often weight their choices based on the schools the candidates graduated from. Those from the highest-ranking law schools have an easier time getting the jobs of their dreams.
Compared with other law schools and universities, UNLV ranks No. 62 among Best Law Schools out of 194 accredited programs rated by U.S. News & World Report. And UNLV ranks No. 20 among Part-Time Schools.
The school’s Lawyering Process Program ranked first among the top legal writing programs. The writing program at UNLV covers three semesters and allows students to prepare for legal analysis, discussions, and negotiation, and to acquire oral, research, counseling, and interviewing skills. For the past 10 years, the writing program has ranked among the top five programs in the country.
UNLV Law School Admissions
What Is The UNLV Law School Acceptance Rate?
As students prepare to apply to law schools, many factors must be considered, including program options, tuition, and ranking. Another key factor is the acceptance rate.
Students can increase their chances of studying at the law schools of their dreams by applying to schools that have higher acceptance rates and are less competitive. Regardless of the acceptance rate, getting accepted into any law school requires having a good GPA and a high LSAT score.
Acceptance rates vary from one law school to another. During the 2018-2019 admission cycle, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, had an official acceptance rate of 30.8%. In terms of national student selectivity, UNLV Law School ranks No. 36.
| Applications | Offers | Matriculated | |
| Class of 2023 | 947 | 258 (27.24%) | 130 (13.73%) |
| 25% | Median | 75% | |
| GPA | 3.24 | 3.69 | 3.81 |
| LSAT | 154 | 159 | 161 |
| Applications | Offers | Matriculated | |
| Class of 2024 | 696 | 224 (32.18%) | 104 (14.9%) |
| 25% | Median | 75% | |
| GPA | 2.98 | 3.32 | 3.58 |
| LSAT | 155 | 158 | 161 |
UNLV Law School LSAT Percentiles
| 75th percentile | 161 |
| 50th percentile | 158 |
| 25th percentile | 155 |
Want to get into UNLV Law School? Sign up for LSATMax.
2019 Entering Class Profile
| Number of Students | 130 |
| LSAT Score | 158 |
| Undergraduate GPA | 3.24 – 3.81 |
| % Women | 56% |
| % Students of Color | 37% |
| % Enrolled Directly After College | N/A |
What Is The Tuition For UNLV Law School?
| In-State Resident | Non-Resident | |
| Full Time | $25,749 | $37,149 |
| Part Time | $19,469 | $27,995 |
What Are The Living Expenses At UNLV Law School?
| On-Campus | $15,141 |
| Off-Campus | $21,464 |
What Are The Housing Options At UNLV Law School?
| On-Campus | Yes |
| Off-Campus | Yes |
BAR Passage Rates At UNLV Law School
| Reporting | 88.2% |
| First-Time Takers | 135 |
| UNLV Law School Average | 68.9% |
| Nevada Average | 67.9% |
| National Average | 79.64% |
Application Deadlines
When will UNLV Law School application materials be available?
UNLV Boyd Law application materials are available on the school website. Applications are processed through the Law School Admission Council. Applicants must register and regularly update a file with the LSAC Credential Assembly Service.
When does the UNLV begin accepting applications?
Generally, applications for UNLV Boyd Law are accepted from October 1 through March 15. All applications after March 15 will be considered as space permits.
How are applications to UNLV Law School submitted?
UNLV accepts electronic applications through LSAC. The following documents must be submitted for an application to be considered complete:
- A completed online application form
- A personal statement (double-spaced, 12-point font, maximum of three pages)
- A resume (covering educational background, community service activities, work experience, honors)
- A brief statement (for part-time applicants only)
- $50 non-refundable application fee
Students submitting CAS reports must include these documents:
- Official transcripts from the schools attended
- LSAT score
- A letter of recommendation
After applying, a student will receive two emails – one with MyUNLV ID and another with a password. The student can use the ID and password to log in to their account for more details.
Does the UNLV Law School have an “early admission” or an “early decision” process?
The Admissions Committee prefers to review applications before March 15 to have all decisions by the end of April. Applications received after March 15 will still receive full consideration, but only as class size and space permit; decision dates may be extended as well.
The Admissions Committee reviews applications on a rolling basis. Students who submit applications by March 15 will receive decisions at the beginning of April.
How much is the application fee, and when is the deadline?
| Application Fee | $50 |
| Early Decision Deadline | April 1 |
| Regular Decision Deadline | April 30 |
Does the UNLV Law School grant interviews?
Yes, the UNLV Law School grants interviews. The earliest date for a student to be invited for an interview is in mid-August. The official admissions interview season starts in September and ends in February.
Employment After UNLV Law School
| Median Salary Private Sector | $80,000 |
| Median Salary Public Sector | $62,300 |
As the first and only law school in Nevada, UNLV has produced many graduates who have achieved enormous success. Many graduates have found their dream jobs within the legal field.
Even with a focus on law and a degree in hand, graduates face many decisions on how to apply their skills. Should they work in the business field using corporate law skills or be a part of the government sector? For those who are still considering options, UNLV offers Career Services.
Both current students and alumni have 24/7 access to a recruiting system (called Handshake) that is designed to help graduates find their dream jobs. Within Handshake, students and alumni can manage their profiles and look for internships and job postings for all sectors.
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas Boyd School of Law’s class of 2019 had a high employment rate of 87%. The 2019 graduates reported their employment status nine months post-graduation as follows:
- About 58% of graduates found work in law firms.
- Among other graduates, 8% found employment in the business sector, 5% in the public interest sector, 7% in the government sector, and 2% in the academic sector.
- About 87% of UNLV Law School graduates found work in Nevada. The next most popular work destinations were Utah 3% and California 3%.
