USD School of Law and Several of Its Programs Rise in the Latest U.S. News & World Report Best Law School Rankings

The University of San Diego (USD) School of Law climbed three spots to #54 in the U.S. News & World Report Best of 2026 Law School Rankings. The part-time program rose to #6 nationally and maintained its rank as #1 in California. Several specialty programs also had significant gains, including Tax Law which rose six spots to rank #12 nationally and Clinical Training, which rose 30 spots. Ranking in the top 30% are Intellectual Property Law, Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, Contracts and Commercial Law, Health Care Law, and Environmental Law.

“It’s especially meaningful to see our programs recognized at this level,” said Dean and C. Hugh Friedman Professor of Law Robert Schapiro. “This distinction reflects the continued dedication of our outstanding faculty and the drive and talent of our students, who elevate these areas of excellence year after year. While rankings offer a valuable snapshot, what matters most is the strength of our community and the transformative legal education we provide. We remain deeply committed to building on this momentum and preparing the next generation of lawyers to make a meaningful difference in the world.”

According to U.S. News & World Report, the rankings are designed for prospective students looking to further their education beyond college. The Best Graduate Schools rankings evaluate programs in a variety of disciplines, including business, education, engineering, law, medicine, and nursing. Prospective students can see how the University of San Diego compares to other institutions and how the rankings are calculated on USNews.com.