U.S. News & World Report ranking underscores the law school's commitment to justice
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U.S. News & World Report named the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth's School of Law (UMass Law) as one of the top law schools in the country for preparing graduates for public interest careers, earning a spot at #22 nationwide in the newly released list of Law Schools with the Most Graduates Working in Public Interest Law.
The new category—ranked for the first time this year as part of U.S. News's 2025 Best Graduate Schools package—highlights the institutions that send the highest percentage of recent graduates into full-time public interest roles for at least one year.
Among law schools in Massachusetts, UMass Law was the second highest-ranked, growing its reputation as a leading destination for students committed to using their legal education to pursue justice and serve the public good.
"This ranking reflects UMass Law's mission-driven focus on justice, access, and service," said UMass Law Dean Sam Panarella. "We're incredibly proud of our graduates who are using their law degrees to pursue justice and make a difference in the communities that need them most."
As the only public law school in the Commonwealth, UMass Law has made access to affordable legal education and a commitment to public service cornerstones of its identity. The school's Public Interest Law Fellowships, extensive clinical offerings, and Justice Bridge Legal Center provide students with the hands-on experience and professional support they need to thrive in public service careers.
"Our students come to UMass Law because they want to practice with purpose," said UMass Dartmouth Provost Ramprasad Balasubramanian. "This national recognition is a testament to their passion and to the strength of our academic and experiential programs."