The University of New Mexico School of Law is rated fourth among the nation’s law schools in a survey of law students by Above the Law, a website that provides news and insights about the legal profession.

UNM School of Law tied for fourth place with Vanderbilt University. Coming in first place is the University of Virginia School of Law; second place is Washington and Lee University School of Law and third place is Stanford University School of Law.

David J. Herring, dean, UNM School of Law, said, “We are very pleased and impressed that this rating comes directly from our students. The UNM School of Law belongs in the company of the best law schools in the country. It provides a special educational environment that our students fully appreciate.”

Schools were rated by current students based upon academics, financial aid advising, career services, practical/clinical training and social life.

Above the Law also included a representative survey comment for each of the top 10 schools in its findings. “UNM School of Law has a tight-knit, supportive environment,” reads the survey comment. “The professors all maintain open-door policies and are always approachable. The career services department is committed to helping each and every student find the right place and is incredibly helpful along the way. The integrated clinic program as well as other classes give every student the opportunity to learn real world skills that will be carried forward. Every student who comes to UNM School of Law is encouraged and helped to succeed on every level.”

The ratings are based on a scale from 1-4, with 1 representing “very unsatisfied” and 4 “very satisfied.” UNM’s overall score was 3.46.

Other categorical findings for UNM include:

  • Quality of faculty and academic instruction category, 3.60;
  • Practical/clinical training for the practice of law, 3.65;
  • Career counseling and job search help, 3.42;
  • Social life, 3.40; and
  • Financial aid advising, 3.24.

The new rating is not the same as the ATL Law School Rankings, which assess schools based on a range of employment outcomes. In the 2013 ATL Top 50 Law School ranking, UNM Law placed 26th among all law schools and 8th among public law schools.

About the University of New Mexico School of Law
Small class size, renowned faculty, collegial environment, and reasonable tuition rates make the UNM School of Law one of the best educational values in the country. The Law School offers the Juris Doctor (JD) program and certificates in Indian Law and in Natural Resources and Environmental Law. New Mexico’s only law school offers a 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio and is known nationwide for its pioneering, required Clinical Law Program. Frequently rated as one of the most popular and most diverse law schools in the country, the UNM Law School is a member of the Association of American Law Schools (AALS) and is approved by the American Bar Association (ABA).