The Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University jumped seven spots to achieve a #85 placement in the U.S. News & World Report's 2026-2027 Best Law Schools rankings. Released on April 7, 2026, this is Duquesne Kline School of Law’s highest ranking yet.
The recently released rankings mark another meaningful rise in the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Law Schools rankings, showing several consecutive years of significant upward movement. The consistent climb coincides with a significant update to U.S. News & World Report's ranking methodology in 2022, which placed greater emphasis on bar passage rates and graduate employment outcomes, two areas in which Duquesne Kline School of Law has demonstrated strength. This sustained trajectory reflects the school's deep and ongoing commitment to preparing graduates for successful legal careers.
Year after year, Duquesne Kline School of Law has consecutively outperformed national averages in employment results and state averages in bar results, most recently ranking among the top 50 law schools nationally for its 2022 Ultimate Bar Passage rate, according to the American Bar Association.
Duquesne Kline School of Law Dean April Barton said, “Duquesne Kline Law has always been guided by a commitment to preparing exceptional lawyers who serve their clients, their communities, and the profession with integrity. To see that mission reflected in our continued rise in the U.S. News rankings is deeply gratifying. I could not be more proud of our students, faculty, and staff, whose hard work and dedication made this possible.”
The flexible part-time evening program offered by Duquesne Kline School of Law also increased, climbing six spots to a #38 placement for the part-time program category in the 2026-27 rankings. This convenient J.D. program for working professionals and adults with other commitments has been offered by Duquesne Kline School of Law for more than a century, and is the only part-time J.D. program offered in the Western Pa. area.
In addition to the U.S. News & World Report ranking, Duquesne Kline School of Law is ranked #10 nationally for Professor Accessibility based on ratings from Princeton Review and ranked #6 in the nation for bar preparation by preLaw Magazine.
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