Why University of Idaho?
The University of Idaho College of Law offers a high-quality, affordable legal education with a strong focus on practical training and two distinct campus options in Moscow and Boise.
University of Idaho is a less selective JD program with an acceptance rate of approximately 66.8%. The median entering 1L profile is a 3.54 GPA and 152 LSAT, with the 25th–75th percentile bands at 3.07–3.81 GPA and 149–156 LSAT. The full-time first-year class is approximately 148 students. Recent graduates have placed most heavily in Idaho, Washington, and Arizona — useful context if your geographic preference shapes your school list. In the 2025 ABA reporting cycle, University of Idaho admitted 2 transfer students into the 2L class. 5 1Ls transferred out.
Specialty strengths
Class profile
- US News rank
- #148
- Median GPA
- 3.54
- 25th–75th: 3.07–3.81
- Median LSAT
- 152
- 25th–75th: 149–156
- Acceptance rate
- 66.8%
- Class size (FT 1L)
- 148
- Transfers admitted (2025)
- 2
- ABA 2025 reporting cycle
2025 transfer admit profile
Actual GPAs of students University of Idaho admitted as transfers in the 2025 ABA cycle.
- 25th percentile
- —
- Suppressed (small cohort)
- Median
- —
- 50th percentile
- 75th percentile
- —
- Suppressed (small cohort)
5 1Ls transferred out of University of Idaho in the same cycle — context for how portable University of Idaho's 1L credit is among admissions committees elsewhere.
Top employment markets
- 1Idaho
- 2Washington
- 3Arizona
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 Idaho's practical training. Mention specific clinic names in your "Why University of Idaho" essay where they align with your interests.
- Entrepreneurship Law ClinicHelps small businesses and startups with business formation, contracts, and compliance.
- Family Justice ClinicProvides free legal services to survivors of domestic and sexual abuse.
- Immigration Litigation and Appellate ClinicAdvocates for immigrants seeking asylum, permanent residency, citizenship, and relief from removal.
- Low-Income Taxpayer ClinicAssists low-income taxpayers and individuals with limited English proficiency in resolving tax disputes with the IRS.
- Tribal Law ClinicOffers free legal services to Tribal Citizens, Tribal Governments, Tribal Agencies, and Tribal-led nonprofits.
- Community Law ClinicProvides legal services in areas like misdemeanor defense, family law, consumer protection, and landlord-tenant disputes.
Notable journals
Student-edited publications you could write for or cite as a research interest.
- Idaho Law Review— The scholarly voice of the College of Law, publishing three editions annually including a symposium edition.
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.
Interim Dean and Professor of Law
- Aliza Plener Cover
Associate Dean of Faculty (Boise) and Assistant Professor of Law
- Jessica Gunder
Professor of Law
- Dylan Hedden-Nicely
- Geoffrey Heeren
- Jerrold Long
- David Pimentel
Director of the Native American Law Program
- Julie Leavitt
Clinical Professor of Law
- Jessica Long
What makes University of Idaho distinctive
Programs, history, or institutional features that set this school apart beyond rank.
- ·Offers full three-year J.D. programs at two distinct campus locations: Moscow (traditional college town) and Boise (state capital, legal and governmental hub).
- ·Strong emphasis on practical training with multiple in-house legal clinics, externships, and a required pro bono service program.
- ·Provides concurrent degree programs, including J.D./M.B.A., J.D./M.S. in Accountancy, Taxation, J.D./M.P.A., and J.D./M.S. in Environmental Science.
- ·Offers in-state tuition for all first-year students, with pathways to maintain in-state rates through the Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) or establishing Idaho residency.
- ·Features a Legislative Research Assistance Program, allowing students to gain direct legal experience supporting the Idaho State Legislature.
Using this for your "Why University of Idaho" 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 Idaho
What is the median GPA and LSAT at University of Idaho?▾
University of Idaho's most recent entering 1L class had a median GPA of 3.54 and a median LSAT of 152. The 25th–75th percentile range was 3.07–3.81 GPA and 149–156 LSAT. Per ABA 509 disclosures.
What is University of Idaho's acceptance rate?▾
University of Idaho's most recent reported acceptance rate was approximately 66.8%, per ABA 509 disclosures.
What clinics does University of Idaho offer?▾
University of Idaho's notable clinical programs include: Entrepreneurship Law Clinic, Family Justice Clinic, Immigration Litigation and Appellate Clinic, Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic, Tribal Law Clinic. Visit the school's official clinical programs page for the full list.
What journals does University of Idaho publish?▾
University of Idaho's notable student-edited journals include: Idaho Law Review.
Where do University of Idaho graduates work?▾
University of Idaho graduates concentrate employment in Idaho, Washington, Arizona, per the school's most recent ABA 509 employment summary.
How many transfer students does University of Idaho admit?▾
University of Idaho admitted 2 transfer students into the 2L class in the 2025 ABA reporting cycle.
Schools similar to University of Idaho
Other schools at a comparable rank tier — useful for building a transfer list, balanced 0L application list, or essay-research shortlist.
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Try Case Cub free →Sources (3) — verify any fact above
- https://www.uidaho.edu/law/academics/clinics
- https://www.uidaho.edu/law/academics/journals
- https://www.uidaho.edu/law/our-people/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.