Why University of Colorado?
University of Colorado Law School offers a rigorous legal education with nationally recognized programs in natural resources, technology, and American Indian law, all within a vibrant, community-focused environment at the foot of the Rocky Mountains.
University of Colorado is a selective JD program with an acceptance rate of approximately 31.2%. The median entering 1L profile is a 3.81 GPA and 164 LSAT, with the 25th–75th percentile bands at 3.62–3.91 GPA and 159–166 LSAT. The full-time first-year class is approximately 165 students. Recent graduates have placed most heavily in Colorado, Texas, and California — useful context if your geographic preference shapes your school list. University of Colorado admitted few or zero transfer students in the most recent reporting cycle — transfer-in slots are extremely limited.
Specialty strengths
Class profile
- US News rank
- #54
- Median GPA
- 3.81
- 25th–75th: 3.62–3.91
- Median LSAT
- 164
- 25th–75th: 159–166
- Acceptance rate
- 31.2%
- Class size (FT 1L)
- 165
- Transfers admitted (2025)
- 0
- ABA 2025 reporting cycle
Top employment markets
- 1Colorado
- 2Texas
- 3California
Where the most recent graduating class concentrated employment, per the school's ABA 509 employment summary. Use this as a signal of where the alumni network and OCI recruiting pipeline are strongest.
Signature clinics
Clinical programs that define University of Colorado's practical training. Mention specific clinic names in your "Why University of Colorado" essay where they align with your interests.
- American Indian Law ClinicStudents represent tribal governments and individual Native Americans in a variety of legal matters.
- Civil Practice ClinicStudents develop civil practice skills while advocating for economic justice in employment and housing law cases.
- Criminal Defense ClinicStudents represent low-income clients in misdemeanor and traffic cases in local counties.
- Entrepreneurial Law ClinicStudents provide pro bono legal services to local businesses, entrepreneurs, and startups.
- Natural Resources, Energy & Environmental Law ClinicStudents work on cases related to natural resources, energy, and environmental law and policy.
Notable journals
Student-edited publications you could write for or cite as a research interest.
- University of Colorado Law Review— General legal scholarship, publishing four times per year.
- Colorado Environmental Law Journal— Issues related to natural resources, energy, and environmental law and policy.
- Colorado Technology Law Journal— Technology and telecommunications law, including intellectual property and internet law.
- University of Colorado Law Review Forum— Online companion to the University of Colorado Law Review, featuring shorter legal commentary.
Faculty highlights
Well-known faculty grouped by primary specialty. If a professor's scholarship aligns with your interests, name them in your essay and reference a specific paper or course.
- S. James AnayaInternational Human Rights Law, Indigenous Peoples Law
- Amy BauerLegal Writing, MSL Program Director
- Frederic BloomCivil Procedure, Federal Courts
- Violeta ChapinCriminal Defense, Immigration Law
- Melissa HartCivil Rights, Employment Discrimination
- Lolita Buckner InnissProperty Law, Critical Race Theory (Dean)
- Margot KaminskiLaw and Technology, Privacy Law
- Melanie KayEthics and Compliance
- Suzette MalveauxCivil Procedure, Class Actions, Civil Rights
- Pierre SchlagLegal Theory, Constitutional Law
What makes University of Colorado distinctive
Programs, history, or institutional features that set this school apart beyond rank.
- ·The Wolf Law Building is LEED Gold certified and features state-of-the-art classrooms and two high-tech courtrooms.
- ·Home to the William A. Wise Law Library, one of the largest and most comprehensive law libraries in the Rocky Mountain region.
- ·Features three prominent research centers: the Byron R. White Center for the Study of American Constitutional Law, the Silicon Flatirons Center for Law, Technology, and Entrepreneurship, and the Getches-Wilkinson Center for Natural Resources, Energy, and the Environment.
- ·Offers a variety of dual degree programs including JD/MBA, JD/MD, JD/MPA, JD/MST, JD/MURP, and JD/MS or PhD in Environmental Science.
- ·Provides a Master of Studies in Law (MSL) degree program with a concentration in Ethics and Compliance for non-JD students.
Using this for your "Why University of Colorado" essay
Strong "Why X Law School" essays are concrete and specific to the school — not interchangeable templates. Use these facts to anchor your essay, then layer on what you've found from the school's own faculty pages, clinical program descriptions, and journal listings.
Important note: admissions committees actively reject AI-written personal statements and "Why X" essays. Use this page as research material to write your own essay — never as a template to copy. Authentic, specific, personally-grounded reasoning is the only thing that wins these essays.
Frequently asked about University of Colorado
What is the median GPA and LSAT at University of Colorado?▾
University of Colorado's most recent entering 1L class had a median GPA of 3.81 and a median LSAT of 164. The 25th–75th percentile range was 3.62–3.91 GPA and 159–166 LSAT. Per ABA 509 disclosures.
What is University of Colorado's acceptance rate?▾
University of Colorado's most recent reported acceptance rate was approximately 31.2%, per ABA 509 disclosures.
What clinics does University of Colorado offer?▾
University of Colorado's notable clinical programs include: American Indian Law Clinic, Civil Practice Clinic, Criminal Defense Clinic, Entrepreneurial Law Clinic, Natural Resources, Energy & Environmental Law Clinic. Visit the school's official clinical programs page for the full list.
What journals does University of Colorado publish?▾
University of Colorado's notable student-edited journals include: University of Colorado Law Review, Colorado Environmental Law Journal, Colorado Technology Law Journal, University of Colorado Law Review Forum.
Where do University of Colorado graduates work?▾
University of Colorado graduates concentrate employment in Colorado, Texas, California, per the school's most recent ABA 509 employment summary.
Schools similar to University of Colorado
Other schools at a comparable rank tier — useful for building a transfer list, balanced 0L application list, or essay-research shortlist.
About to start at University of Colorado?
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Try Case Cub free →Sources (4) — verify any fact above
- https://www.colorado.edu/law/academics/clinics
- https://www.colorado.edu/law/academics/journals
- https://www.colorado.edu/law/academics/areas-study
- https://www.colorado.edu/law/faculty
Generated from public sources via search-grounded AI on 4/27/2026. If any fact looks wrong, click through to verify and let us know.