Academic Index Last updated: June 23, 2026

100 Best Universities in California for Law

We ranked the top 100 universities for Law in California based on strict academic metrics. To determine these leaders, we isolated 3.4M specialized research publications which collectively generated 166.68M citations. This targeted approach bypasses general university reputation, directly revealing the strongest programs.

Active Filters: Law California Clear All

Ranking Methodology Notice

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Field of Study

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1

Stanford

Stanford University

For Law

#3 in United States #3 in North America

4% Acceptance

47,335 Enrollment

1545 Avg SAT

1885 Founded

2

Berkeley

University of California – Berkeley

For Law

#4 in United States #4 in North America

11% Acceptance

26,133 Enrollment

1175 Avg SAT

1868 Founded

3

Los Angeles

University of California – Los Angeles

For Law

#11 in United States #12 in North America

9% Acceptance

37,297 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1919 Founded

4

Los Angeles

University of Southern California

For Law

#23 in United States #25 in North America

10% Acceptance

47,335 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1880 Founded

5

San Diego

University of California-San Diego

For Law

#30 in United States #32 in North America

27% Acceptance

47,335 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1960 Founded

6

San Francisco

University of California – San Francisco

For Law

#36 in United States #38 in North America

13% Acceptance

2,942 Enrollment

1100 Avg SAT

1864 Founded

7

Davis

University of California – Davis

For Law

#37 in United States #40 in North America

42% Acceptance

25,685 Enrollment

1545 Avg SAT

1905 Founded

8

Irvine

University of California – Irvine

For Law

#42 in United States #48 in North America

29% Acceptance

47,335 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1965 Founded

9

Santa Barbara

University of California – Santa Barbara

For Law

#56 in United States #66 in North America

33% Acceptance

45,882 Enrollment

1535 Avg SAT

1921 Founded

10

Pasadena, CA

California Institute of Technology

For Law

#89 in United States #103 in North America

3% Acceptance

26,133 Enrollment

1535 Avg SAT

1891 Founded

11

Riverside

University of California – Riverside

For Law

#103 in United States #121 in North America

76% Acceptance

25,685 Enrollment

1175 Avg SAT

1954 Founded

12

Santa Cruz

University of California – Santa Cruz

For Law

#108 in United States #126 in North America

66% Acceptance

45,882 Enrollment

1535 Avg SAT

1965 Founded

13

San Diego

San Diego State University

For Law

#122 in United States #140 in North America

36% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1125 Avg SAT

1897 Founded

14

Santa Clara, CA

Santa Clara University

For Law

#190 in United States #217 in North America

48% Acceptance

37,661 Enrollment

1420 Avg SAT

1851 Founded

15

Los Angeles

Loyola Marymount University

For Law

#204 in United States #232 in North America

45% Acceptance

1,006 Enrollment

1345 Avg SAT

1911 Founded

16

Monterey

Naval Postgraduate School

For Law

#236 in United States #267 in North America

23% Acceptance

837 Enrollment

1335 Avg SAT

1909 Founded

17

Camarillo

California State University – Channel Islands

For Law

#746 in United States #810 in North America

95% Acceptance

18,492 Enrollment

1240 Avg SAT

2002 Founded

18

Los Angeles

Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science

For Law

#554 in United States #608 in North America

39% Acceptance

1,144 Enrollment

1100 Avg SAT

1966 Founded

19

Malibu

Pepperdine University

For Law

#247 in United States #278 in North America

63% Acceptance

1,006 Enrollment

1370 Avg SAT

1937 Founded

20

Angwin

Pacific Union College

For Law

#1389 in United States #1470 in North America

47% Acceptance

5,891 Enrollment

1450 Avg SAT

1882 Founded

21

Santa Clarita

Master’s University and Seminary

For Law

#904 in United States #974 in North America

84% Acceptance

27,636 Enrollment

1525 Avg SAT

1927 Founded

22

Azusa

Azusa Pacific University

For Law

#578 in United States #633 in North America

88% Acceptance

910 Enrollment

1111 Avg SAT

1899 Founded

23

Atherton

For Law

#921 in United States #991 in North America

68% Acceptance

1,771 Enrollment

1370 Avg SAT

1927 Founded

24

Riverside

California Baptist University

For Law

#1142 in United States #1218 in North America

85% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1350 Avg SAT

1950 Founded

25

Chico

California State University – Chico

For Law

#377 in United States #418 in North America

93% Acceptance

31,943 Enrollment

1290 Avg SAT

1887 Founded

26

San Diego

San Diego Mesa College

For Law

#1472 in United States #1557 in North America

100% Acceptance

23,453 Enrollment

1229 Avg SAT

27

Fresno

Fresno Pacific University

For Law

#1318 in United States #1396 in North America

64% Acceptance

1,874 Enrollment

1470 Avg SAT

1944 Founded

28

Claremont, CA

For Law

#659 in United States #719 in North America

25% Acceptance

1,771 Enrollment

1490 Avg SAT

1963 Founded

29

Orange, CA

Chapman University

For Law

#283 in United States #314 in North America

65% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1350 Avg SAT

1861 Founded

30

Belmont, CA

Notre Dame de Namur University

For Law

#1272 in United States #1350 in North America

81% Acceptance

1,874 Enrollment

1470 Avg SAT

1851 Founded

31

Pleasant Hill

John F. Kennedy University

For Law

#211 in United States #239 in North America

100% Acceptance

31,943 Enrollment

1290 Avg SAT

1964 Founded

32

San Diego

Alliant International University – San Diego

For Law

#396 in United States #438 in North America

915 Enrollment

1111 Avg SAT

2001 Founded

$25,481 Net Price

33

Costa Mesa

Vanguard University of Southern California

For Law

#1143 in United States #1219 in North America

62% Acceptance

15,182 Enrollment

1229 Avg SAT

1920 Founded

34

Whittier

Whittier College

For Law

#745 in United States #809 in North America

81% Acceptance

23,453 Enrollment

1450 Avg SAT

1887 Founded

35

Pomona

California State Polytechnic University – Pomona

For Law

#306 in United States #342 in North America

75% Acceptance

38,313 Enrollment

1525 Avg SAT

1938 Founded

36

San Diego

Thomas Jefferson School of Law

For Law

#803 in United States #872 in North America

50% Acceptance

1,006 Enrollment

1345 Avg SAT

1969 Founded

37

Los Altos Hills

Foothill College

For Law

#1562 in United States #1650 in North America

100% Acceptance

18,258 Enrollment

38

San Rafael

Dominican University of California

For Law

#789 in United States #858 in North America

83% Acceptance

518 Enrollment

1255 Avg SAT

1890 Founded

39

San Diego

University of San Diego

For Law

#243 in United States #274 in North America

52% Acceptance

18,492 Enrollment

1350 Avg SAT

1949 Founded

40

Claremont, CA

Keck Graduate Institute

For Law

#962 in United States #1033 in North America

50% Acceptance

44,256 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1997 Founded

41

Berkeley

Graduate Theological Union

For Law

#816 in United States #886 in North America

91% Acceptance

124 Enrollment

1265 Avg SAT

42

Seaside

California State University – Monterey Bay

For Law

#585 in United States #640 in North America

97% Acceptance

28,467 Enrollment

1045 Avg SAT

1994 Founded

43

Irvine

Brandman University

For Law

#1118 in United States #1194 in North America

100% Acceptance

1,771 Enrollment

1515 Avg SAT

2009 Founded

44

Santa Barbara

Westmont College

For Law

#1033 in United States #1107 in North America

77% Acceptance

38,313 Enrollment

1345 Avg SAT

1937 Founded

45

Claremont, CA

Claremont Graduate University

For Law

#217 in United States #245 in North America

35% Acceptance

18,492 Enrollment

1111 Avg SAT

1925 Founded

46

San Diego

Northcentral University

For Law

#862 in United States #932 in North America

81% Acceptance

910 Enrollment

1060 Avg SAT

47

Santa Monica

Pardee RAND Graduate School

For Law

#806 in United States #875 in North America

13% Acceptance

15,182 Enrollment

1111 Avg SAT

1970 Founded

48

Oakland

For Law

#550 in United States #602 in North America

17% Acceptance

9,724 Enrollment

1470 Avg SAT

1852 Founded

49

San Francisco

University of San Francisco

For Law

#229 in United States #259 in North America

62% Acceptance

12,326 Enrollment

1290 Avg SAT

1855 Founded

50

San Anselmo

San Francisco Theological Seminary

For Law

#1447 in United States #1531 in North America

91% Acceptance

124 Enrollment

1265 Avg SAT

51

Vallejo

California State University Maritime Academy

For Law

#634 in United States #691 in North America

95% Acceptance

2,441 Enrollment

1135 Avg SAT

1929 Founded

52

Claremont, CA

Claremont McKenna College

For Law

#329 in United States #367 in North America

10% Acceptance

1,771 Enrollment

1515 Avg SAT

1946 Founded

53

Rancho Palos Verdes

Marymount California University

For Law

#1573 in United States #1661 in North America

100% Acceptance

38,313 Enrollment

1535 Avg SAT

1932 Founded

54

Carpinteria

Pacifica Graduate Institute

For Law

#1122 in United States #1198 in North America

75% Acceptance

1,890 Enrollment

1265 Avg SAT

1974 Founded

55

San Diego

Point Loma Nazarene University

For Law

#874 in United States #944 in North America

84% Acceptance

19,212 Enrollment

1270 Avg SAT

1902 Founded

56

Stockton

University of the Pacific

For Law

#416 in United States #460 in North America

71% Acceptance

15,924 Enrollment

1332 Avg SAT

1851 Founded

57

Whittier

Southern California University of Health Sciences

For Law

#1174 in United States #1251 in North America

100% Acceptance

959 Enrollment

$51,174 Net Price

58

Burbank

Woodbury University

For Law

#974 in United States #1045 in North America

82% Acceptance

1,771 Enrollment

1345 Avg SAT

1884 Founded

59

Moraga

Saint Mary’s College of California

For Law

#592 in United States #647 in North America

87% Acceptance

9,724 Enrollment

1470 Avg SAT

1863 Founded

60

Loma Linda

Loma Linda University

For Law

#300 in United States #334 in North America

74% Acceptance

3,665 Enrollment

1100 Avg SAT

1905 Founded

61

Vallejo

Touro University California

For Law

#865 in United States #935 in North America

1,367 Enrollment

1100 Avg SAT

1997 Founded

62

Santa Monica

Santa Monica College

For Law

#1216 in United States #1293 in North America

100% Acceptance

5,592 Enrollment

1240 Avg SAT

63

San Marcos, CA

California State University – San Marcos

For Law

#403 in United States #447 in North America

95% Acceptance

18,492 Enrollment

1350 Avg SAT

1989 Founded

64

San Bruno

Skyline College

For Law

#1546 in United States #1633 in North America

100% Acceptance

18,258 Enrollment

1125 Avg SAT

65

Berkeley

Wright Institute

For Law

#913 in United States #983 in North America

91% Acceptance

1,057 Enrollment

1255 Avg SAT

1969 Founded

66

Pomona

Western University of Health Sciences

For Law

#555 in United States #609 in North America

8% Acceptance

3,738 Enrollment

1100 Avg SAT

1977 Founded

67

Claremont, CA

For Law

#365 in United States #405 in North America

7% Acceptance

38,313 Enrollment

1525 Avg SAT

1887 Founded

68

Anaheim

West Coast University – Orange County

For Law

#1368 in United States #1449 in North America

100% Acceptance

1,926 Enrollment

1255 Avg SAT

1909 Founded

69

Riverside

La Sierra University

For Law

#1074 in United States #1150 in North America

91% Acceptance

28,467 Enrollment

1450 Avg SAT

1971 Founded

70

Redlands

University of Redlands

For Law

#586 in United States #641 in North America

83% Acceptance

18,492 Enrollment

1229 Avg SAT

1907 Founded

71

Fullerton

California State University – Fullerton

For Law

#201 in United States #229 in North America

91% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1350 Avg SAT

1957 Founded

72

Berkeley

Church Divinity School of the Pacific

For Law

#1564 in United States #1652 in North America

82% Acceptance

124 Enrollment

73

Santa Clarita

California Institute of the Arts

For Law

#1477 in United States #1562 in North America

32% Acceptance

19,212 Enrollment

1150 Avg SAT

1961 Founded

74

Hayward, CA

California State University – East Bay

For Law

#499 in United States #545 in North America

97% Acceptance

31,943 Enrollment

1290 Avg SAT

1957 Founded

75

Pasadena, CA

Pacific Oaks College

For Law

#1513 in United States #1600 in North America

34% Acceptance

30,746 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1945 Founded

76

Bakersfield

Bakersfield College

For Law

#1570 in United States #1658 in North America

100% Acceptance

27,248 Enrollment

1265 Avg SAT

77

Thousand Oaks

California Lutheran University

For Law

#917 in United States #987 in North America

76% Acceptance

18,492 Enrollment

1240 Avg SAT

1959 Founded

78

Arcata

Humboldt State University

For Law

#326 in United States #364 in North America

98% Acceptance

18,258 Enrollment

1175 Avg SAT

1913 Founded

79

Cypress

Trident University International

For Law

#1063 in United States #1137 in North America

69% Acceptance

9,489 Enrollment

1111 Avg SAT

$13,916 Net Price

80

Pasadena, CA

Art Center College of Design

For Law

#1456 in United States #1541 in North America

75% Acceptance

19,212 Enrollment

1229 Avg SAT

1930 Founded

81

Turlock

California State University – Stanislaus

For Law

#605 in United States #660 in North America

98% Acceptance

15,257 Enrollment

1240 Avg SAT

1960 Founded

82

Long Beach, CA

California State University – Long Beach

For Law

#200 in United States #228 in North America

46% Acceptance

38,313 Enrollment

1350 Avg SAT

1949 Founded

83

Berkeley

Pacific School of Religion

For Law

#1352 in United States #1432 in North America

97% Acceptance

200 Enrollment

1265 Avg SAT

84

Santa Barbara

Fielding Graduate University

For Law

#657 in United States #717 in North America

82% Acceptance

518 Enrollment

1255 Avg SAT

1974 Founded

85

Carson, CA

California State University – Dominguez Hills

For Law

#458 in United States #503 in North America

93% Acceptance

18,492 Enrollment

1240 Avg SAT

1960 Founded

86

Redding

Simpson University

For Law

#1308 in United States #1386 in North America

86% Acceptance

622 Enrollment

1285 Avg SAT

1921 Founded

87

Los Angeles

Southwestern Law School

For Law

#909 in United States #979 in North America

31% Acceptance

650 Enrollment

1345 Avg SAT

1911 Founded

88

San Francisco

California Institute of Integral Studies

For Law

#818 in United States #888 in North America

90% Acceptance

1,057 Enrollment

1265 Avg SAT

1968 Founded

89

Merced

University of California – Merced

For Law

#309 in United States #346 in North America

91% Acceptance

45,882 Enrollment

1175 Avg SAT

2005 Founded

90

Cypress

Cypress College

For Law

#1390 in United States #1471 in North America

100% Acceptance

24,427 Enrollment

1125 Avg SAT

91

Oakland

Saybrook University

For Law

#739 in United States #803 in North America

85% Acceptance

1,874 Enrollment

1111 Avg SAT

1971 Founded

92

Bakersfield

California State University – Bakersfield

For Law

#522 in United States #572 in North America

94% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1965 Founded

93

San Luis Obispo

California Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo

For Law

#272 in United States #303 in North America

31% Acceptance

27,636 Enrollment

1175 Avg SAT

1901 Founded

94

Los Angeles

Pacific States University

For Law

#1556 in United States #1644 in North America

100% Acceptance

38,313 Enrollment

1365 Avg SAT

95

Culver, CA

Antioch University

For Law

#809 in United States #878 in North America

81% Acceptance

1,771 Enrollment

1111 Avg SAT

96

Claremont, CA

Harvey Mudd College

For Law

#661 in United States #722 in North America

13% Acceptance

26,133 Enrollment

1535 Avg SAT

1955 Founded

97

San Diego

Southern States University

For Law

#1281 in United States #1359 in North America

95% Acceptance

41,137 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

$2,640 Net Price

98

Oakland

Samuel Merritt University

For Law

#1040 in United States #1114 in North America

66% Acceptance

959 Enrollment

1070 Avg SAT

1909 Founded

99

Palo Alto

Palo Alto University

For Law

#331 in United States #369 in North America

12% Acceptance

3,007 Enrollment

1100 Avg SAT

1975 Founded

100

Fresno

California State University – Fresno

For Law

#304 in United States #339 in North America

95% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1125 Avg SAT

1911 Founded