NLU vs Non-NLU: Which one is better?

To have a succesful career in law, it is extremely important to get into a good law college. Candidates must be very careful in choosing the law college they wish to pursue their BA LLB, LLM or PhD course. But the question remains is which one is better NLU or private law colleges? Read further to know more.

NLU vs Non-NLU: Which one is better?

For every law aspirant, securing admission in one of the National Law Universities (NLUs) in the country is a dream. However, it’s important to understand that non-NLU institutions also offer quality legal education and opportunities. Both NLU and non-NLU colleges have their own advantages and disadvantages. The key to a successful career in law lies in selecting the right law college for your education. Candidates must be careful while choosing a college to pursue a law degree.

Latest Update: CLAT Counselling Registration (Begins) 2025: Fees, Admissions for Top NLUs & Non NLUs and Live Updates

CLAT Result 2025 (OUT) Live Updates: Scorecard Download @consortiumofnlus.ac.in, Expected Cutoff for NLUs

In case a candidates do not get admission in the desired NLU they should not get disheartened as there are many options still available in autonomous colleges.  In this article, we have tried to explain the difference between studying from an NLU vs. non-NLU and how to choose. Candidates who are not able to make a decision regarding this can find important details in this article.

Also Read: Legal Maxims for CLAT 2025

Law Courses offered at NLUs

Undergraduate and postgraduate degree courses, Ph.D., and diploma courses are offered at NLUs include:

Tier 1 National Law Universities (NLUs)

All those NLUs that are established in tier 1 cities are called as the Tier 1 NLUs that are amongst the most important NLUs. Check the list of NLUs below that are mostly ranked in top 15 law colleges in National Institute Ranking Framework (NIRF) Rankings 2023.

Check the complete list of NLUs here

Benefits of studying at NLU

Candidates can check the list of benefits to study at NLU below:

Placement

The placement at NLUs are amongst the best as every renowned company visits to recruit students. As per the data, NLU students get more Pre-placement offers as compared to non-NLU students. NLU students mostly get first priority. All major PSUs, Private entities and law firms know about the NLUs and set preferences accordingly.

Job Interviews

NLU students are often given preference during interviews at various law firms. The brand name of NLU itself is sufficient to fetch job at top law companies.

Fee Structure

One of the major difference between studying at NLU or private university is the fee structure. NLU fees are very low and since they are government universities the NLUs have subsided fee structure and hence have low fees. However, some of the private law colleges also have lower fee structure compared to NLUs. Candidates must check the fee structure before enrolling.

Alumni Network

NLU student have a very strong networks that can prove beneficial in terms of networking & career growth. A good alumi connect helps job seekeers fetch good positions in good companies.

Moot Court

Though all private institutes don’t offer moot court facilities to their students, every NLU do provide the same to its students. NLU also offer students the opportunity to compete in national and internation moot court contests. Though now some of the private institutions have started providing moot court facility, the event that is hosted by an NLU carries more importance.

Also Read: CLAT Sample Papers 2025 (PDF Link) - Past Years' Sample Paper Download Here

Cons of studying from NLU

Ya, it might sound surprising but yes there are certain cons or disadvantages of studying from NLUs. However, they are not such major flaws and can be ignored considering NLUs at the time of admission. We have listed out disadvantages of cons of NLUs below:

Courses

Candidates must note that all specialisations are not offered at every NLU. For example, in case, a student wants to pursue BBA LLB, then he needs to take admission in NLU Gandhinagar/ NLU Patna/ NLU Jodhpur/ NLU Cuttack because only these four NLUs offer the undergraduate programme in BBA LLB. Candidates must be very carefully before choosing from list of NLU Courses. 

Teaching Method

NLUs as compared to private institutions follow the old and traditional pedagogy of teaching. This in turn makes the institute lag behind when it comes to latest teaching methods and techniques.

Number of seats

Since the admission to NLUs is through Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) or in case of NLU Delhi, it is done through All India Law Entrance Test (AILET), the race to secure a seat is tough and competition is fierce. The number of seats available in NLUs are limited making it mandatory for candidates to score really good in entrance exam. As per the data, only 5 per centstudents manage to get a desirable place in the NLUs. Around 75,000 students appear for the entrance exams, out of which only 300 (approx.) get selected.

Pressure & Competition

While there is a competition to get admission in one of the NLUs, the pressue is immensely high even on the students already enrolled. Students are subjected to immense peer pressure as well as familial pressue. The best way to deal with it is to undertaking quality internships, participating in National Moot Courts competition and publishing in well-known journals.

Also Read: What are NLUs? How are these Different from Other Law Schools?

Benefits of studying from a Private Law College

Today, many private law colleges in the country have established themselves among the leading law institutes in the country and stand at par with the NLUs. One of the best example is Symbiosis School of Law, that has been maintaining top place in NIRF ranking for years now. Some of the benefits of studying in private law colleges have been mentioned below:

Infrastructure

The infrastructure of private law colleges is top-notch with all latest technologies and well-equipped classrooms. The teaching rooms are equipped with e-learning, audio-visual learning experience. The classrooms in most of the private law colleges are air-conditions.

Diversity

The best part of private law colleges is that unlike NLUs, the college has students from other departments and courses such as engineering, management, mass communication etc. This inturn help in imporving versatility among the law students.

Internship

Private universities ensure that internship and placements assistance is offered to all students. Non- NLU law students are given more time to intern that helps them to gain more practical experience and strengthen their working relationships with associates and partners.

International Visiting Faculties

Several international advocates visit the private college regularaly, that helps the non-NLU students to get all required exposures. This helps non-NLU students with a diverse range of experiences and knowledge, making them well-equipped for a successful legal career, despite not being part of NLU network.

Also Read: How to clear CLAT 2025 in first attempt?

Disadvantages of studying from non-NLU college

Candidates can check out cons of studying from non-NLU colleges below:

Fees

The major difference between NLU and non-NLU is the fee structure. The fee of private law colleges or non-NLUs is comparatively higher than the fees of NLUs. While maximum non-NLU have high fee structure, there are some NLUs too that charge higher fees too.

Placement

While non-NLUs ensure good placements, NLU students comes with a brand and are given prefernces accordingly. NLUs are favoured by top-tier law firms over the autonomous ones. So, getting a job in top law firms is quite challenging for non-NLU students.

Lack of internship options

While NLUs provide abundant internship opportunities, it is not the same with non-NLU colleges. It becomes really difficult for many students to bag internship in good firm in this highly competitive field.

Curriculum

The private law colleges have vast curriculum. Most of the time, the effort is put in theoretical learning more than the experiential leaning. Students pursuing law degrees from private law schools have too much syllabus to cover and the emphasis is less on practical learning and gaining knowledge.

Top 10 private law colleges (non-NLUs) in India

Candidates can check the list of top 10 law colleges in India by NIRF 2023 Ranking below:

Also Read: New CLAT Exam Pattern

Top 10 Private Law Colleges in India - India Today Ranking

Given below are the list of top private law colleges in India as per India Today Rankings 2021:

(Note: NP- Not Participated)