UNC School of Law is No. 18 in U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 Best Law Schools rankings for the second year, placing Carolina Law among the top 10% of law schools and tying with Georgetown University Law Center.  

The back-to-back ranking is no accident. Carolina Law has invested deeply in what happens inside the classroom. The school’s Research, Reasoning, Writing, and Advocacy Program grounds students in foundational lawyering skills from their first day on campus, a commitment recognized nationally with a No. 16 ranking in legal writing.   

That investment pays off after graduation. An extraordinary 99.5% of the Class of 2024 secured full-time legal employment within 10 months of earning their degrees. Carolina Law graduates also consistently outperform the national bar passage rate by double digits in every jurisdiction where they take the exam.  

“This ranking speaks to our consistency and our commitment to excellence,” said Interim Dean Andy Hessick. “Our ranking last year was not a fluke. Our consistency confirms our quality.”  

Chancellor Lee H. Roberts said the ranking captures the heart of what Carolina has always set out to do.  

“At Carolina, we believe our role is not only to educate scholars, but to prepare engaged and effective citizens,” Chancellor Roberts said. “The enduring and growing strength of our Law School reflects our commitment to developing the next generation of leaders, policymakers, and critical thinkers.”  

U.S. News evaluates law schools on peer assessment, bar passage rates, employment outcomes, and faculty resources. Prospective students can compare schools and explore the full methodology at USNews.com.  

UNC School of Law is a top-ranked public law school dedicated to training the next generation of lawyers, leaders, and public servants.