Harvard Law School : Ranking, Fees, Courses, Requirements
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The Harvard Law School Graduate courses application deadlines are as follows:
- JD (Jury Doctor) Program Round 1: Jan 6, 2025
- JD (Jury Doctor) Program Round 2: Feb 10, 2025
- JD (Jury Doctor) Program Round 3: Mar 17, 2025
- VS/VR Program for Fall 2025: Apr 15, 2025
- J.D. Program (2025-26): Apr 1, 2025
- About Harvard Law School
- Harvard Law School Courses and Fees 2025
- Harvard University Law Popular Programs
- Harvard University Law Popular Courses
- Harvard Law School Rankings 2025
- Harvard Law School Admission Dates 2025
- Harvard Law School Admissions Requirements 2025
- Harvard Law School Placements
- Harvard Law School or Yale Law School: Which is better?
- Harvard Law School Campus Life
- Harvard Law School Notable Alumni
About Harvard Law School
Founded in 1817, Harvard Law School (HLS)l is the Law School of Harvard University which is a private research university situated in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Harvard Law School is the oldest Law School in the United States which is still in operation.
Harvard Law School provides many graduate-level Law programs, including JD, SJD, LLM etc. HLS is home to the world’s largest academic Law Library too. Approximately 1,990 students attend HLS each year. With 1750 being J.D. students, 180 being LL.M students, and 60 being S.J.D. candidates. Harvard Law School boats a large community of noteworthy alumni who were able to make a significant contribution to their fields. The Notable alumni of Harvard Law School include Rutherford B. Hayes and Barack Obama, the 19th and the 44th presidents of the United States. HLS students are involved in publishing and preparing the Harvard Law Review which is one of the most highly cited university law reviews.
The Law School is well-renowned for its research programs and centers such as the Animal Law & Policy Program, Berkman Klein Centre for Internet and Society, Centre on the Legal Profession, Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race and Society, etc. The Harvard Law campus is built on the land of 1000 acres which was given by Isaac Royall Jr. With 119 full-time faculty members, the student-to-faculty ratio is 7:1 at Harvard Law School which indicates the level of attention these HLS students receive from their faculty. With an extreme focus on high employability skills, Harvard Law School's placement rate stands at 97.3% for the HLS class of 2023.
The Law school has a career support department named Office of Career Services (OCS) which is a team of advisors and professionals who work with students to help them land their dream jobs. These career services are also open for the HLS alumni.
Things to Know about Harvard Law School
Harvard Law School is known for its large network of 40,000 alumni scattered all over the world. This Law School is considered quite competitive to get into as the Harvard Law School acceptance rate stands at 11% for its J.D. class of 2027, where the school received 7,235 applications, and only 793 were offered admissions.
Here are some more highlights for Harvard Law School:
Harvard Law School (MBA) |
Validation |
---|---|
Acceptance Rate (J.D. Class 2024) |
11% |
US World and News Ranking (2024) |
#4 |
Known for |
Clinical Programs, Jury Doctor, Constitutional Studies, Criminal Law Studies |
Nobel Laureates |
1 (Cass R. Sunstein) |
J.D. (Jury Doctor) Class Size (2027) |
793 |
Placement Rate (2023) |
97.3% (Within 10 months after Graduation) |
Average LSAT Score (Class 2027) |
176 |
Average Package after graduating (2023) |
USD 215,000 (INR 1.81 Cr) |
Average GRE Quant Score (Class 2027) |
169 |
Average GRE Verbal Score (Class 2027) |
169 |
Average GPA (J.D. Class 2027) |
4.0 on a scale of 4.0 |
(USD 1 = INR 84.30)
Harvard Law School is focused on inclusion and promoting diversity at its campus, 53% of the J.D. class 2027 was women, followed by the students of color which was 43%.
Diversity and Enrolment Breakdown Class 2026 |
Data |
---|---|
Women |
53% |
International |
9% |
LGBTQ+ |
22% |
Students of Colour |
43% |
First Generation/Low-income college students |
11% |
According to the official website, out of the entire MBA class profile 2026, 9% of the students are International, indicating their commitment towards inclusion.
Legal studies enthusiasts from all of the world apply to Harvard Law School for the state-of-the-art learning infrastructure, its rich cultural heritage, and Legal Clinics.
Below are the detailed Job Sectors the Harvard Law School graduates were placed after graduation:
Harvard Law School Graduates Job Sectors (2023) |
---|
Law Firm |
Judicial Clerkship |
Business & Industry |
Government |
Public Interest |
Education |
Read more: Harvard Law School Employment Report 2023
Commonly asked questions On About Law
Q: Why is Harvard Law School so famous?
Harvard Law School is under the Umbrella of Harvard University which holds an Ivy League status. This Law School is famous for the Return on investment which is significant, and the status a student receives after the completion of their educational journey. The HLS placement rate stands at 97.3% with an average annual package of USD 215,000 in top Law firms of the US.
Moreover, Harvard Law School is located near Boston City making it accessible for the HLS students to build professional connections and take up internships and clerkships. According to the US world and news ranking body, the Harvard University Law courses are ranked #4 among the best 196 Law schools around the world.
Q: Is it hard to get admission to Harvard Law School?
The Law courses at Harvard University are ranked at #4 by the US World and News. The students from all over the world apply to these courses due to the state-of-the-art curriculum, high employability, and internships & clerkships provided by the school. The Harvard Law School acceptance rate stands at 11% for its JD program. The low acceptance rate suggests that out of every 100 applicants, only 11 students are rolled out an offer letter. It is hard to get Harvard Law School.
Although with right preparation, the students can bag their offer letter. Below are some basic requirements as an Indian student:
· A four years Bachelor's Degree from Accredited university
· Scanned copies of all the Academic Records
· An online application done through Law School Admissions Council (LSAC)
· Letters of recommendation (Submit at least 1
· Essay
· Standardized entrance test scores (LSAT/GRE)
Q: Is Harvard Law School expensive?
Yes, Harvard Law School can be perceived as an expensive school because the tuition can range between USD 73,400 (INR 61 L) to USD 77,100 (INR 65 L). The HLS JD program can cost a student USD 77,100 (INR 65 L) for the first year without including the other expenses such as accommodation, living expenses etc. The School provides some financial relief to the students by providing them with scholarships.
Below is the table mentioning a standard students budget for most of the Harvard Law courses:
HLS Standard Budget First year tuition fee (2024-25) | Amount |
---|---|
Tuition | USD 77,100 (INR 64 L) |
Health Insurance and Health Services Fees | USD 5,794 (INR 4.8 L) |
Activities Fee | USD 400 (INR 33.7 K) |
Housing | USD 18,000 (INR 15.1 L) |
Food | USD 6,131 (INR 5.16 L) |
Personal Expenses | USD 5,650 (INR 4.76 L) |
Books and Supplies | USD 1,675 (INR 1.41 L) |
Travel | USD 1,750 (INR 1.47 L) |
Total Expenses | USD 116,500 (INR 98.2 L) |
(USD 1 = INR 84.30)
Harvard Law School Rankings 2025
Harvard Law School is the Law School of Harvard University which is also a part of the elite educational group ‘the Ivy League’. According to the US World and News rankings body in 2024, HLS is ranked #4 in the list of the best 196 Law schools around the world.
According to the QS World Ranking 2024, the Law courses offered by Harvard University are ranked at number 4 with an overall score of 96.8 out of 100 based on factors like academic reputation, citations per faculty, employment outcomes, employer reputation, faculty-student ratio, etc.
THE (Times Higher Education) 2024, gave the Law Courses of Harvard University a ranking of #1.
Below table which mentions the rankings of the Law course specialties according to the US World and News ranking 2024:
Harvard Law School Speciality Rankings |
Rank |
---|---|
Business/Corporate Law |
2 |
Clinical Training |
16 |
Constitutional Law |
1 |
Contracts/Commercial Law |
2 |
Criminal Law |
2 |
Dispute Resolution |
3 |
Environmental Law |
10 |
Health Care Law |
7 |
Intellectual Property Law |
12 |
International Law |
2 |
Legal Writing |
132 |
Tax Law |
10 |
Trial Advocacy |
36 |
Commonly asked questions On Rankings
Q: How prestigious is Harvard Law School?
Harvard Law School is under the umbrella of Harvard University which is among the prestigious group of Ivy League.
Harvard Law School is ranked at #4 by the US News and World Ranking body 2024 among the best 196 Law schools of the world. HLS Law graduates are known for their calibre in understanding the Legal implications and country laws. QS World ranking body has ranked HLS at #1 with a score of 99.7 %.
The HLS Placement rate for the class 2023 stands at 97% (within 10 months of graduation) with the average median salary of USD 215,000 (INR 1.81 Cr.) at Law firms.
Q: What is Harvard Law School ranked?
Harvard Law School being the Law School of Harvard University which is also a part of the elite educational group 'the Ivy League'. According to the US World and News rankings body in 2024, HLS is a ranked at #4 in the list of the best 196 Law schools around the world.
According to the QS World ranking 2024, the Law courses offered by Harvard University are ranked at number 1 with an overall score of 96.8 out of 100 based on the factors like academic reputation, citations per faculty, employment outcomes, employer reputation, faculty student ratio etc.
THE (Times Higher Education) 2024, gave the Law Courses of Harvard University a ranking of #1.
Below table which mentions the rankings of the Law course specialities according to US World and News ranking 2024:
Harvard Law School Speciality Rankings | Rank |
---|---|
Business/Corporate Law | 2 |
Clinical Training | 16 |
Constitutional Law | 1 |
Contracts/Commercial Law | 2 |
Criminal Law | 2 |
Dispute Resolution | 3 |
Environmental Law | 10 |
Health Care Law | 7 |
Intellectual Property Law | 12 |
International Law | 2 |
Legal Writing | 132 |
Tax Law | 10 |
Trial Advocacy | 36 |
Q: Should I go to Yale Law School or Harvard Law School?
While both the universities are considered two of the best in the entire world, Harvard enjoys the location of Cambridge, Massachusetts which has close proximity to Boston where the Law students have better access to internships and clerkships, on the other hand Yale Law School is situated at New Haven which makes it a bit isolated Law School, away from a lot of important Law universities.
According to the rankings released by the US World and News 2024, the Law studies offered by Harvard University under HLS are ranked #4 among the top 196 Law schools in the world, for Yale University, this ranking is #1.
The table compares these two best Business schools in depth:
Criteria | Harvard Law School | Yale Law School |
---|---|---|
Location | Cambridge, Massachusetts | New Haven |
Average Starting Salary | USD 215,000 (INR 1.47 Cr) | USD 210,000 (1.47 Cr) |
Acceptance Rate (Class 2026) | 8.07% | 11.8% |
First-Year Tuition (MBA) | USD 77,100 (INR 74.6 L) | USD 71,540 (INR 71.6 L) |
Top Job Sectors Hiring | 65% of all Yale Law graduates 2023 started their careers at Law firms | 55% of all Yale Law graduates 2023 started their careers at Law firms |
Ranking (US World and News 2024) | #4 | #1 |
Placement Rate (2023) within 10 months after graduation | 97.3% | 98% |
(USD 1 = INR 84.30)
Harvard Law School Admission Dates 2025
Admissions at Harvard Law School are done on a round and season basis. The deadlines for the same are mentioned in the table below:
JD Rounds (August Entry) |
Application Deadline |
---|---|
Round 1 |
Jan 6, 2025 |
Round 2 |
Feb 10, 2025 |
Round 3 |
Mar 17, 2025 |
Below are the HLS Masters in Science program deadlines:
HLS Masters in Science Program Stages (Fall Entry) |
Date |
---|---|
Applications Opened |
Sept 12, 2024 |
Application Deadline |
Jan 16, 2025 |
Decisions to be Rendered |
Mar, 2025 |
Harvard Law School Admissions Requirements 2025
HLS is one of the top-notch Law Schools which ranks #4 in the list of the 196 best Law schools all over the world, by US World and News Ranking Body 2024. Accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA), a prestigious accreditation. The Harvard Law School JD acceptance rate for the class that entered in 2024 was 11%, meaning out of every 100 applications, only 11 students rolled out an offer letter, which makes it quite difficult to get admission at Harvard Law School.
However, a student can get admission to this B-School by fulfilling the below-mentioned requirements:
Harvard Law School JD Requirements as an International Student:
- A four-year Bachelor’s Degree from an Accredited university
- Scanned copies of all the Academic Records
- An online application is done through the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC)
- Letters of recommendation (Submit at least 1
- Essay
- Standardized entrance test scores (LSAT/GRE)
Harvard Law School LLM admissions requirements as an International student:
- Law Degree (Have a Juris Duty) from an ABA-approved US Law School or a first Law degree from a foreign law school
- English proficiency test scores (TOEFL)
- An online application
- Letters of recommendation (At least 2, by the superiors who can access the qualitative skills of the candidate)
- Standardized tests (LSAT/GRE)
- Statement of purpose
- Certification of finances
- Essay
- Resume/CV
Harvard Law School Admission Process 2025:
Step 1-Choose a program
Step 2- Fill out the application form: Go to the official website,
Step 3-Pay application fee: Students must pay the application fee of USD 85 (INR 7,164) for the JD and LLM programs.
Step 4-Wait for a response: Harvard Law School will review the application and within a few weeks they will provide an offer letter to join the program.
Step 5-Attend Interview: Harvard Law School conducts interviews for a very small percentage of students so it’s only on an invitation basis.
(USD 1 = INR 84.30)
Commonly asked questions On Admission Requirements
Q: Can Indians apply for admission to Harvard Law School?
Students from all over the world apply to HLS. The Harvard Law School applications are open for Indian students, although there are certain requirements that an Indian student has to meet.
Below mentioned are the documents and exam requirements an Indian student has to meet to apply to HLS Law programs:
Harvard Law School JD Requirements as an International student:
· A four years Bachelor's Degree from Accredited university
· Scanned copies of all the Academic Records
· An online application done through Law School Admissions Council (LSAC)
· Letters of recommendation (Submit at least 1
· Essay
· Standardized entrance test scores (LSAT/GRE)
Q: What GPA do I need for admission to Harvard Law School?
Harvard Law School follows a strict approach in selecting the best candidates out of a large pool of applications. To stay competitive and relevant till the end of the HLS application process can be tough for many. The students are required to show great academic scores and extra-curricular activities and such. The JD Class 2027, 50% of the students had a GPA of 3.95.
Other than the GPA, the table below shows the average scores for other requirements:
HLS Requirements | HLS JD class 2027 Average scores |
---|---|
Average LSAT Score (Class 2027) | 174 |
Average GRE Quant Score (Class 2027) | 167 |
Average GRE Verbal Score (Class 2027) | 165 |
Average GPA (J.D. Class 2027) | 3.95 on a scale of 4.0 |
Q: What is the entrance exam for Harvard Law School?
Out of a large amount of applications, Harvard Law School tries to select the best candidates for their Law programs. To apply for Harvard Law School, international students have to take an entrance exam. The students can either take GRE or the Law schools admissions test (LSAT).
Both the previously mentioned exams are valid, and the school says, that it does make it an advantage if the students take both the exams.
The table below shows the average scores for other requirements:
HLS Requirements | HLS JD class 2027 Average scores |
---|---|
Average LSAT Score (Class 2027) | 174 |
Average GRE Quant Score (Class 2027) | 167 |
Average GRE Verbal Score (Class 2027) | 165 |
Average GPA (J.D. Class 2027) | 3.95 on a scale of 4.0 |
Harvard Law School Placements
The recent employment report by Harvard Law School is released for the year 2023, where its Law graduates were given placement in top law firms like Davis Polk, Paul, Weiss, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, etc. Harvard Law School gave 570 graduates in the year 2023, out of which 554 graduates reported employment within 10 months of graduating from the school which gives a whopping Harvard Law School placement rate of 97.7%. Out of all HLS graduates, 372 got placed in the top Law firms with an average median package of USD 215,000 (USD 1.81 Cr) followed by Judicial Clerkship with a compensation of USD 70,005 (INR 59 L).
Here are the highlights of placements of the Harvard Law School graduates class of 2023:
Harvard Law School Particulars (2023) |
Data (2023) |
|
---|---|---|
Average Median Base Salary (Law Firms) |
USD 215,000 (INR 1.81 Cr) |
|
Average Sign on bonus |
Varies by firms |
|
Top Employers |
· The Judiciary · Law Firms · Government |
|
Average LSAT Score (Class 2027) |
176 |
|
Average GRE Quant Score (Class 2027) |
169 |
|
Average GRE Verbal Score (Class 2027) |
169 |
|
Average GPA (J.D. Class 2027) |
4.0 on a scale of 4.0 |
|
(USD 1 = INR 84.30)
Here is the table showing top Salaries of Full-time Employed Graduates by Job Sector:
Harvard Law School MBA Graduates’ Top Industries (Class 2023) |
No. of HLS Graduates |
Average Median Salary of HLS MBA graduate (2023) |
---|---|---|
Law Firm |
372 |
USD 215,000 (INR 1.81 Cr) |
Judicial Clerkship |
81 |
USD 70,005 (INR 59 L) |
Business & Industry |
10 |
USD 191,000 (INR (INR 1.61 Cr) |
Government |
20 |
USD 74,975 (INR 63.2 L) |
Public Interest |
54 |
USD 65,000 (INR 54.8 L)) |
Education |
4 |
USD 66,500 (INR 56 L) |
(USD 1 = INR 84.30)
The average median salary for the year 2024 given by Law firms increased by USD 10,000 (INR 8.43 L) from USD 205,000 (INR 1.72 Cr) in 2023 to USD 215,000 (INR 1.81 Cr) in 2024.
Commonly asked questions On Placements
Q: What is the highest package offered at Harvard Law School?
According to the employment data 2023 published by Harvard Law School, the top industry where the HLS graduates are getting the highest package is Law firms job sector which is USD 215,000 (INR 1.81 Cr).
Here is the table showing top Salaries of Full-time Employed Graduates by Job Sector:
Harvard Law School MBA Graduates' Top Job Sectors (Class 2023) | Average Median Salary of HLS MBA graduate (2023) |
---|---|
Law Firm | USD 215,000 (INR 1.81 Cr) |
Judicial Clerkship | USD 70,005 (INR 59 L) |
Business & Industry | USD 191,000 (INR (INR 1.61 Cr) |
Government | USD 74,975 (INR 63.2 L) |
Public Interest | USD 65,000 (INR 54.8 L) |
Education | USD 66,500 (INR 56 L) |
(USD 1 = INR 84.30)
Q: How much do Harvard lawyers earn?
Harvard Law School is well renowned for its state-of-the-art learning infrastructure, high quality graduates, and faculty to students' ratio. The HLS graduates are able to secure placement at Law firms as Lawyers with a median basic salary of USD 215,000 (INR 1.81 Cr).
According to Glass door, the lawyers who graduated from Harvard are able to get USD 100,000 (INR 84 L) a year to USD 200,000 (INR 1.68 Cr) a year.
Q: Where do most Harvard Law School graduates work?
The Harvard Law School graduates go on to take up diverse roles and positions over the span of their careers. According to the Harvard Law School employment report 2023, 372 graduates got placed at Law firms followed by 81 students going into Judicial Clerkships.
Harvard Law School MBA Graduates' Top Industries (Class 2023) | No. of HLS Graduates |
---|---|
Law Firm | 372 |
Judicial Clerkship | 81 |
Business & Industry | 10 |
Government | 20 |
Public Interest | 54 |
Education | 4 |
Below is the table mentioning the HLS graduates with various locations:
Locations | Employed HLS Graduates |
---|---|
New York | 193 |
District of Columbia | 96 |
California | 75 |
Employed in Foreign Countries | 10 |
Harvard Law School Campus Life
Located in the heart of Cambridge, Massachusetts, Harvard University takes pride in its rich cultural history. Harvard Law School has a beautiful campus with a happening atmosphere, as the students studying here have close proximity to great restaurants, movie theatres, clubs, recreational activities centers, etc. The HLS campus is surrounded by beautiful neighborhoods and parks.
There are over 200 student organizations, 17 student journals, and 47 clinics, externships & SPOs at Harvard Law School. The students are presented with the option to opt for on-campus and off-campus. More than 1/3 of the HLS students live on-campus making the on-house campus a popular choice. The students can apply for on-campus housing at Harvard via the official portal.
The HLS has residential buildings of different styles with variations in cost:
- Dormitory-Style Residential Rooms: The academic year cost for the Dormitory Standard Single room is USD 8,361 (INR 7.06 L).
- Apartment-Style Rooms: The academic year cost for a Single Large Studio Apartment is USD 23,148 (INR 19.5 L).
There are other kinds of room and apartment types too, the students are suggested to keep their budget in mind while selecting these on-campus accommodation options.
Commonly asked questions On Campus Life
Q: Do Harvard Law School students live on campus?
More than 1/3 of the HLS students live on-campus making the on-house campus a popular choice. The students can apply for the on-campus housing at Harvard via the official portal.
The HLS has residential building of different styles with variation in the cost:
· Dormitory-Style Residential Rooms: Academic year cost for Dormitory Standard Single room is USD 8,361 (INR 7.06 L).
· Apartment-Style Rooms: Academic year cost for Single Large Studio Apartment is USD 23,148 (INR 19.5 L).
There are other kinds of room and apartment types too, the students are suggested to keep their budget in mind while selecting these on-campus accommodation options.
A few details:
· 67% of the HLS student body lives off campus
· 86% of HLS students living off campus live in private off campus housing
· 14% of HLS students living off campus live in Harvard University Housing
The average monthly rent paid by an HLS student in 2015 was USD 1,500 (INR 1.26 L).
(USD 1 = INR 84.30)
Q: How is the life at Harvard Law School?
Harvard University is known for its quality of life, and the students say that they live a great life at this university. There are more than 200 student led organisations available, 17 student journals, unparalleled libraries, acclaimed museums and theatres, communities, enriching extracurricular activities.
There are on-campus and off-campus housing options available for the Harvard Law students.
· 67% of the HLS student body lives off campus
· 86% of HLS students living off campus live in private off campus housing
· 14% of HLS students living off campus live in Harvard University Housing
· The average monthly rent paid by an HLS student in 2015 was USD 1,500 (INR 1.26 L)
Harvard University LawExplore Other Streams
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Student Forum
Answered a week ago
Although it is not a guarantee, Harvard University does employ its own PhD grads as faculty. Faculty selection is influenced by a number of factors, and the university's employment process is quite competitive.
Harvard's Graduate School of & Sciences, for example, offers a strong PhD programme that o
R
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
During your four years at Harvard, you are not required to reside on campus. Students have a variety of housing alternatives even though Harvard encourages on-campus living, particularly during the first year of undergraduate education.
This is a summary:
1. The majority of the 17 freshmen housing hal
R
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 weeks ago
Harvard University is very selective and highly competitive for any course so candidates need to score very high in academics and must have extra curriculars to show as part of their profile. Students who wish to take admission at Harvard must fulfill the basic eligibility including a bachelor's deg
S
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 2 weeks ago
Yes, it is difficult for international students to get admission at Harvard University because of its high acceptance rate. Harvard University acceptance rate is 3.41%, which means the admissions are moderatly competative. The university is highly selective and the chances of getting admitted increa
S
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 5 days ago
The cost to study at Harvard University in Indian rupees depends on the course level and program:
Course level Annual tuition fee
Undergraduate INR 49.78 L–51.97 L
Postgraduate INR 16.76 L–64.97 L
MBA INR 37,24,228 for one year
Harvard offers need-based fellowships to almost 50% of its students each ye
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Does Harvard hire its own PhD graduates as faculty members?