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The Midwest is home to several of the country's strongest law schools, including the University of Chicago, Northwestern (Pritzker), and the University of Michigan, alongside Washington University in St. Louis, Notre Dame, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, and Ohio State. In the U.S. News 2026-27 ranking, Chicago is 2nd (tie), Northwestern and Michigan tied at 9th, Washington University in St. Louis 13th (tie), Notre Dame 20th (tie), and Minnesota 22nd (tie).
By Ali Unar, JD candidate at Georgetown Law and founder of Lovare Institut. Last updated August 2026. Every figure on this page was verified in August 2026 against the sources listed below.
The Midwest hosts several of the country's strongest law schools, from national leaders like the University of Chicago, Northwestern, and the University of Michigan to well-regarded public and private programs across the region. The table below lists prominent Midwest schools; the wider region also includes Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Ohio State, and others.
Law schoolLocationU.S. News rankMedian LSATMedian GPAUniversity of Chicago Law SchoolChicago, IL2nd (tie)1743.97Northwestern Pritzker School of LawChicago, IL9th (tie)1733.96University of Michigan Law SchoolAnn Arbor, MI9th (tie)171See ABA 509 reportWashington University School of LawSt. Louis, MO13th (tie)175See ABA 509 reportUniversity of Notre Dame Law SchoolNotre Dame, IN20th (tie)1703.89University of Minnesota Law SchoolMinneapolis, MN22nd (tie)1713.88
Ranks come from the U.S. News 2026-27 Best Law Schools ranking; median LSAT and median GPA come from each school's 2025 ABA Standard 509 report. Where a school does not report a single median GPA in that data, read the figure from its ABA 509 report.
Outcomes vary widely across the region. The top national schools place graduates into elite firms and clerkships across the country, while strong public schools such as Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa place heavily within their states and neighboring markets. Compare first-time bar passage and JD-required employment from each school's ABA 509 report, since those outcome figures are not captured in this reference.
Choose a Midwest law school around where you want to practice and the total cost after scholarships. Public schools like Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, and Ohio State can offer strong value for in-state students, while private national schools offer wider reach. Match your LSAT and GPA to each school's medians to see where you stand.
The Midwest's strongest law schools include the University of Chicago, Northwestern, and the University of Michigan at the national top tier, followed by Washington University in St. Louis, Notre Dame, Minnesota, and Ohio State. In the U.S. News 2026-27 ranking, Chicago is 2nd (tie), Northwestern and Michigan tied at 9th, and Washington University in St. Louis 13th (tie).
First-time bar-passage rates differ by school and state, and the regional leader shifts year to year. The leading Midwest programs generally clear their state averages comfortably, but you should read each school's most recent first-time bar-passage figure from its ABA Standard 509 report, since those rates are not captured in this reference.
There is no single number. Chicago reports a median LSAT of 174, Northwestern 173, and Michigan 171 in their 2025 ABA 509 reports, while regional schools admit a broader range. Find your target school's median LSAT in its ABA 509 report and aim to meet or exceed it for admission and scholarship consideration.
Verified August 2026.
August 21, 2026
August 21, 2026