Why University of Dayton?
The University of Dayton School of Law emphasizes a blend of theory and practice, individual attention, and a commitment to service within a collaborative community.
University of Dayton is a less selective JD program with an acceptance rate of approximately 28.3%. The median entering 1L profile is a 3.60 GPA and 154 LSAT, with the 25th–75th percentile bands at 3.31–3.87 GPA and 152–157 LSAT. The full-time first-year class is approximately 133 students. Recent graduates have placed most heavily in Ohio, Indiana, and Pennsylvania — useful context if your geographic preference shapes your school list. In the 2025 ABA reporting cycle, University of Dayton admitted 4 transfer students into the 2L class.
Specialty strengths
Class profile
- US News rank
- #112
- Median GPA
- 3.60
- 25th–75th: 3.31–3.87
- Median LSAT
- 154
- 25th–75th: 152–157
- Acceptance rate
- 28.3%
- Class size (FT 1L)
- 133
- Transfers admitted (2025)
- 4
- ABA 2025 reporting cycle
2025 transfer admit profile
Actual GPAs of students University of Dayton admitted as transfers in the 2025 ABA cycle.
- 25th percentile
- —
- Suppressed (small cohort)
- Median
- —
- 50th percentile
- 75th percentile
- —
- Suppressed (small cohort)
Top employment markets
- 1Ohio
- 2Indiana
- 3Pennsylvania
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 Dayton's practical training. Mention specific clinic names in your "Why University of Dayton" essay where they align with your interests.
- Administrative Law ClinicStudents represent clients in administrative hearings, gaining hands-on experience.
- Civil Law ClinicStudents work on civil cases, providing legal representation to those in need.
- Criminal Law ClinicStudents gain real-world experience in criminal defense, including court appearances.
- Immigration Law ClinicStudents assist clients with asylum and adjustment of status cases.
- Law ClinicProvides legal representation to indigent clients accused of misdemeanors.
Notable journals
Student-edited publications you could write for or cite as a research interest.
- University of Dayton Law Review— A nationally recognized journal of legal scholarship publishing articles by students, judges, practitioners, and academics.
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.
- Christopher RoedererConstitutional Law, Legal Theory
- Thaddeus HoffmeisterCriminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Evidence
- Susan WawroseLegal Profession, Professional Responsibility, Legal Writing
- J. Michael KeyesIntellectual Property, Patent Law, Copyright
- Denise Platfoot LaceyCivil Procedure, Conflict of Laws, Remedies
- Tracy ReillyProperty Law, Land Use, Environmental Law
- Eric ChaffeeBusiness Law, Securities Regulation, Corporate Governance
- Victoria VanZandtLegal Research & Writing, Appellate Advocacy
- Charles J. RussoEducation Law, Constitutional Law, Disability Law
- Andrew StraussInternational Law, Human Rights, National Security Law
What makes University of Dayton distinctive
Programs, history, or institutional features that set this school apart beyond rank.
- ·Offers an Online Hybrid J.D. Program, blending online and on-campus instruction.
- ·Provides an accelerated two-year J.D. option.
- ·Features a Program in Law and Technology (PILT), one of the first of its kind in the country.
- ·Includes a Human Rights Collaborative, partnering with the University's Human Rights Center for global advocacy.
- ·Offers joint degree programs including J.D./M.B.A., J.D./M.P.A., and J.D./M.S. in Educational Administration.
- ·Grounded in the Marianist tradition and Catholic affiliation, emphasizing service and community. [cite: 9 (from previous search)]
- ·Offers a Summer Study Abroad Program in Innsbruck, Austria.
Using this for your "Why University of Dayton" 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 Dayton
What is the median GPA and LSAT at University of Dayton?▾
University of Dayton's most recent entering 1L class had a median GPA of 3.60 and a median LSAT of 154. The 25th–75th percentile range was 3.31–3.87 GPA and 152–157 LSAT. Per ABA 509 disclosures.
What is University of Dayton's acceptance rate?▾
University of Dayton's most recent reported acceptance rate was approximately 28.3%, per ABA 509 disclosures.
What clinics does University of Dayton offer?▾
University of Dayton's notable clinical programs include: Administrative Law Clinic, Civil Law Clinic, Criminal Law Clinic, Immigration Law Clinic, Law Clinic. Visit the school's official clinical programs page for the full list.
What journals does University of Dayton publish?▾
University of Dayton's notable student-edited journals include: University of Dayton Law Review.
Where do University of Dayton graduates work?▾
University of Dayton graduates concentrate employment in Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania, per the school's most recent ABA 509 employment summary.
How many transfer students does University of Dayton admit?▾
University of Dayton admitted 4 transfer students into the 2L class in the 2025 ABA reporting cycle.
Schools similar to University of Dayton
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 Dayton?
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Try Case Cub free →Sources (13) — verify any fact above
- https://www.justia.com/law-schools/ohio/university-of-dayton-school-of-law/
- https://www.lsac.org/choosing-law-school/explore-jd-options/university-dayton-school-law
- https://www.nationaljurist.com/news/students-can-get-bachelors-and-jd-in-five-years-at-the-university-of-dayton
- https://ecommons.udayton.edu/udlaw_review/
- https://www.educatly.com/university/university-of-dayton/program/jd-mba-joint-degree-program
- https://catalog.udayton.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=30&poid=3324
- https://www.msj.edu/academics/graduate-programs/pathway-to-the-university-of-dayton-school-of-law-3-2-law-degree/
- https://www.lsac.org/llm-other-law-degrees/llm-programs/university-dayton-school-law
- https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-university-of-dayton-school-of-law-and-2u-inc-partner-to-offer-an-innovative-new-hybrid-jd-program-300654164.html
- https://www.nationaljurist.com/news/dayton-law-to-offer-certificate-in-social-justice-in-llm-and-msl-programs
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Dayton_School_of_Law
- https://ecommons.udayton.edu/law_fac_pub/
- https://www.aals.org/member-schools/deans-database/university-of-dayton-school-of-law/
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.