Michiganders have no shortage of options for legal study. Excellent state and private schools offer opportunities for obtaining a legal education whose quality is on par with the top schools in the nation.
Michigan's history as an industrial hub and business center — home to "the Big Three" American auto manufacturers, Kellogg Co., and other major corporate entities — means that graduates have an exciting and diverse practice environment upon graduation. The following article provides a brief overview of top law schools located in Michigan's pleasant peninsulas.
University of Michigan Law School
Located in Ann Arbor, the University of Michigan Law School is consistently ranked among the top law schools in the nation. As a result, admissions at UM are extremely competitive. Only about a quarter of applicants are accepted for admission. Attendance is also a costly proposition, with tuition around $67,000 a year.
Wayne State University Law School
While not as lauded as the University of Michigan, Wayne State University Law School has a solid reputation. Its location in Detroit's midtown also means students are close to the city's cultural and business opportunities.
Wayne State has excellent law clinics that ensure students have a chance to acquire practical experience prior to graduation. Another significant advantage of studying at Wayne State is the fact that the school's tuition is about half that of the University of Michigan — around $34,000 a year.
Michigan State University College of Law
Michigan State University College of Law (MSU) isn't as highly ranked as Wayne State and costs a bit more, though still significantly less than the University of Michigan. The school's location in the state capital of Lansing makes it attractive to those interested in government, and the city is also the headquarters of four national insurance companies.
MSU has also made efforts to ensure that its students have access to an innovative study environment. For example, MSU's LegalRnD Lab provides special courses focused on technology and innovation in the law.
University of Detroit Mercy School of Law
University of Detroit Mercy School of Law is a private Roman Catholic institution whose religious affiliation may be attractive to some law students. It is the oldest and most prestigious private law school in Michigan.
Detroit Mercy Law is known for its longstanding clinical program and Moot Court Competition. The school emphasizes hands-on experience from the start, placing 1Ls in "mini-clinics" where they can learn from local attorneys.
Continue Planning Your Legal Career
Deciding where to attend law school is just one of many crossroads someone on the path to a legal career will face. Along the way, you'll need to finance school, learn effective test-taking skills, and decide on an area of practice. FindLaw's Law Students section has articles on these and many other topics of interest to help you make wise decisions during your legal education and beyond.