Kaplan Survey: Law School Admissions Officers Increasingly Say the Rankings Have Lost Prestige

Leading global education company Kaplan finds that 62 percent of law school admissions officers believe that the U.S. News & World Report rankings — the 2025 list was just released today — "have lost some of their prestige over the last couple of years."* This marks a significant increase from the 51 percent who held this view in a 2023 Kaplan survey. Admissions officers shared the following opinions:

• "We play the game, but the reality of it is they are biased and don't take into consideration the ‘fit' of a law school for students."
• "It certainly should not be the only thing candidates look at and hopefully it will lose some of its magnetic pull."
• "Law school rankings as a whole are pernicious, but I do value the information they provide. I just wish applicants understood exactly what the rankings assess."

But in sharp contrast to law school admissions officers who think the rankings have lost standing in the court of credibility, only 26 percent of pre-law students said it would be a "positive development for both law schools and applicants to no longer have law school rankings at all."** Prospective law school students who are pro-rankings said they are helpful in determining which schools to apply to. Those who object to the rankings say that they add too much pressure to an already competitive admissions process and cause feelings of "inadequacy," which could discourage pre-law students from applying at all.

Kaplan's survey results come amid a law school applicant surge. According to the Law School Admission Council, the number of applicants this admissions cycle is up 20 percent compared to the 2023-2024 cycle and up 25 percent compared to the 2022-2023 cycle. And while explanations vary on the why, some attribute the steep increase to a potential recession on the horizon and an increased interest in politics and public policy.

Amit Schlesinger, executive director of legal and government programs, Kaplan, said:

"The pressure surrounding law school rankings can be intense for both law school leaders and applicants, alike. Law school leaders face high expectations to rank highly, as the rankings impact student recruitment and alumni donations—and, in some situations, their own job security. While some admissions officers acknowledge the rankings' flaws and a few schools have even withdrawn in protest, the majority still participate, highlighting the rankings' enduring power. The rankings can be a useful aggregate for important stats like post-graduation job numbers and starting salaries, but the risk is giving a school's ranking too much weight in determining where to ultimately enroll. Our top piece of advice for applicants: Identify the law schools that best align with your personal and professional goals."

Reporters who'd like more information can contact [email protected].

*Admissions officers from 93 of the nation's 197 American Bar Association-accredited law schools were polled by email between July and September 2024. Among the 93 law schools that participated are 34 of the top 50, as ranked by U.S. News & World Report.

**Based on the results of a Kaplan survey of 306 of its LSAT® students and prospective students in February 2025.

LSAT® is a registered trademark of the Law School Admission Council, Inc, which does not review or endorse specific test preparation materials or services.

About Kaplan

Kaplan, Inc. is a global educational services company that helps individuals and institutions advance their goals in an ever-changing world. Our broad portfolio of solutions help students and professionals further their education and careers, universities and educational institutions attract and support students, and businesses maximize employee recruitment, retainment, and development. Stanley Kaplan founded our company in 1938 with a mission to expand educational opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Today, our thousands of employees working in 27 countries/regions continue Stanley's mission as they serve about 1.2 million students and professionals, 15,000 corporate clients, and 3,300 schools, school districts, colleges, and universities worldwide. Kaplan is a subsidiary of the Graham Holdings Company (NYSE:GHC). Learn more at kaplan.com.

Note to editors: Kaplan is a subsidiary of Graham Holdings Company (NYSE:GHC)

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Press: Russell Schaffer, [email protected]