Law Schools in New Jersey
2 ABA-approved schools · ABA disclosures · updated November 2, 2026
New Jersey has two ABA-approved law schools: one public and one private. Median LSAT scores for the class that entered in fall 2025 run from 158 at Rutgers University to 161 at Seton Hall University.
New Jersey law schools compared
| School | Median LSAT | Median GPA | Accepted | Tuition | Bar pass | Lawyer jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seton Hall University School of Law Newark · Private | 161 | 3.71 | 34.3% | $71,550 | 87.1% | 87% |
| Rutgers Law School Newark · Public | 158 | 3.66 | 33.5% | $35,607 | 79.1% | 85.3% |
Tuition is full-time tuition and fees for 2025-26, at the in-state rate for public schools. Bar pass is the first-time rate on 2025 exams in every state where graduates sat; lawyer jobs is the share of 2025 graduates in full-time, long-term jobs requiring bar passage. Each school's page has the detail.
Seton Hall University had the highest first-time bar passage rate, 87.1%. Seton Hall University placed the largest share of 2025 graduates in lawyer jobs, 87%. Rutgers University was the hardest to get into, accepting 33.5% of applicants. Rutgers University charged the least, $35,607.
The New Jersey bar exam
In 2025, 71.1% of graduates of ABA-approved law schools who took the New Jersey bar exam for the first time passed, as the ABA reports it. That is the yardstick each school's rate is compared with when its graduates sit here.
Graduates of these schools took it most often in 2025 (schools with at least 10 first-time takers here):
| School | Takers | Passed | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rutgers University | 250 | 196 | 78.4% |
| Seton Hall University | 156 | 136 | 87.2% |
| Widener University Delaware Law School | 44 | 32 | 72.7% |
| Pace University | 36 | 20 | 55.6% |
| New York Law School | 18 | 18 | 100% |
| Penn State Dickinson Law | 12 | 11 | 91.7% |
| Villanova University | 11 | 10 | 90.9% |
Out-of-state schools that send graduates to New Jersey
Each school reports the three states where most of its employed graduates work. These schools outside New Jersey count it among their top three:
- Pace University (NY): 53 employed 2025 graduates
- Widener University Delaware Law School (DE): 51 employed 2025 graduates
- New York Law School (NY): 25 employed 2025 graduates
- Drexel University (PA): 19 employed 2025 graduates
- Villanova University (PA): 19 employed 2025 graduates
- Cardozo School of Law, Yeshiva University (NY): 17 employed 2025 graduates
- Penn State Dickinson Law (PA): 16 employed 2025 graduates
- Hofstra University (NY): 15 employed 2025 graduates
- Fordham University (NY): 14 employed 2025 graduates
- Temple University (PA): 13 employed 2025 graduates
Practicing in New Jersey: New Jersey Rules of Civil Procedure · New Jersey procedural guides · Divorce in New Jersey.
Check your own numbers against these schools with the LSAT and GPA school finder.
Frequently asked questions
How many law schools are in New Jersey?
New Jersey has 2 ABA-approved law schools: Rutgers Law School, Seton Hall University School of Law.
Which New Jersey law school has the highest bar passage rate?
Seton Hall University School of Law, where 87.1% of first-time takers passed in 2025.
What is the cheapest law school in New Jersey?
Rutgers Law School, at $35,607 a year in full-time tuition and fees for 2025-26 (in-state rate).
What is the hardest law school to get into in New Jersey?
By acceptance rate, Rutgers Law School, which accepted 33.5% of applicants for fall 2025, with a median LSAT of 158.
What is the New Jersey bar exam pass rate?
In 2025, 71.1% of first-time takers from ABA-approved law schools passed the New Jersey bar exam, as the ABA reports it.