Discover the McGeorge School of Law ranking in 2024, its acceptance rate, bar passage rate, and its trial advocacy specialty.
When I first started looking at law schools, I was obsessed with rankings. Who isn’t, right? Picking the right law school is not just about prestige—it’s about your future career, bar passage rates, job placement, and even your experience in law school.
I remember sitting at my desk, browsing ranked law schools in California, attempting to discern where I’d fit in. That’s when I stumbled upon the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law ranking. I knew McGeorge, naturally—its trial advocacy and government law reputation was solid. But I wanted to know more.
So, if you’re asking, “Is McGeorge a good law school?” or “Where does McGeorge rank among the best law schools in California?”, you’re in the right place. Let’s break it down.
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McGeorge School of Law Ranking in 2024
Let’s talk numbers. McGeorge School of Law ranking stands at #159 in the country, according to the 2025 U.S. News & World Report. Though the ranking places it in the middle of the pack of law schools nationwide, McGeorge is a leader in a number of areas.
Specialty Rankings Where McGeorge Excels
That is, although McGeorge does not place in the national top 100, it excels in practical, skills-based legal education.
How Does McGeorge Compare to Other Ranked California Law Schools
California is home to some of the country’s top-ranked law schools—Stanford, UCLA, UC Berkeley, USC, and UC Davis are all powerhouses. If you’re looking for a good, solid legal education without the backstabbing competitiveness of the elite schools, though, McGeorge is well worth a look.
McGeorge vs. Other California Law Schools
Compared to the other highly ranked California law schools, McGeorge is less difficult to gain admission to, making it an excellent choice for students who do not have the very highest LSAT scores but who still want to receive a top-notch legal education.
McGeorge’s Bar Passage & Career Outcomes
Bar passage rates are among the most critical factors in choosing a law school. What’s the use of law school if you won’t be able to pass the bar, anyway?
California also has one of the toughest bar exams in the country, and although McGeorge’s bar passage rate is lower than that of more highly ranked law schools, it is similar to that of many mid-ranked law schools.
Career Opportunities Following McGeorge
McGeorge has a strong Sacramento and Northern California alumni network. If government law interests you, this is the perfect school for you with its #1 specialty ranking.
Graduates are usually hired in:
The McGeorge Experience: Is It the Right One for You?
McGeorge is located in Sacramento, CA, a perfect place for future government and public policy lawyers. The city is home to the California State Capitol, offering great internship and networking opportunities for students.
I remember speaking with a McGeorge grad who said, “If you are interested in government or public policy work, McGeorge puts you in the middle of it.” The Sacramento legal community is also less competitive than San Francisco or Los Angeles, so it is not as hard to distinguish yourself.
Campus Life & Community
Unlike Saint George Law School in Sacramento, CA (which, by the way, doesn’t actually exist—maybe a common confusion with McGeorge), McGeorge offers a small law school, close-up experience. With a low student-faculty ratio, you get more direct contact with professors.
FAQs
1. What is the McGeorge School of Law ranking in 2024?
The University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law ranking is #159 in the nation, according to the 2025 U.S. News & World Report. The law school also ranks #20 in Trial Advocacy, #21 in Dispute Resolution, and #9 in Moot Court. McGeorge was also ranked #1 in the nation in the course subject area of Government Law by preLaw Magazine.
2. How does McGeorge compare to the other California ranked law schools?
McGeorge ranks 15 out of 18 ABA-accredited California law schools. It is not among California’s elite law schools like Stanford or UCLA but holds its own when it comes to trial advocacy, conflict resolution, and government law, making it a viable choice for students who prefer practical legal training.
3. What is the acceptance rate and bar passage rate of McGeorge?
McGeorge achieved a 57% July 2022 first-time California Bar Exam pass rate. The school’s acceptance rate is 61.3%, with LSAT percentiles at 152-158 and GPA percentiles at 2.94-3.63.
4. Is McGeorge School of Law good for government law or public service?
Yes, McGeorge is an excellent school for public service or government law. It is ranked #1 in the nation in Government Law by preLaw Magazine and is located in Sacramento, CA, near the California State Capitol, offering students excellent networking and internship opportunities in government and public policy roles.
Final Thoughts: Should You Go to McGeorge?
If a first-tier, nationally recognized law school is what you’re looking for, then McGeorge is probably not the school for you.
But if you’re looking for:
✔ Top-notch trial advocacy & dispute resolution programs
✔ Well-rounded government law program (#1 ranking)
✔ Great networking opportunities in Sacramento
✔ Less rigorous admissions process
Then McGeorge School of Law ranking should not hold you back—it may be exactly what you’ve been looking for.
Personally, I wish I had known about McGeorge’s moot court and trial advocacy specialties—I would have given it serious consideration. Law school does not have to be all about rankings—it’s about the right place to learn your skills and advance your career.
Additional Resources
If you’re still researching, here are some valuable resources:
