Practice Management

North Carolina Central University School Of Law

By chucknewton

I understand that value in the way of legal education often depends much on location than anything else.  State schools charge out of state applicants more money.  Some in California, let us say, do not want to attend law school in North Carolina.  But, there is no getting around the fact that North Carolina Central University School of Law has been ranked by PreLaw Magazine as the best value law school in the country.

Let us start with the obvious.  The in-state tuition is only $4,625.00 per year.  Out of state tuition, although much higher, is still only $17,000, which is about what many public law schools charge for in-state tuition in the first place.  It has an average bar passage rate of 81% for first time test takers, which ranks it above the state average of only 71%.  And, 89.80% of its graduates find employment soon after graduation.

Established in 1939 in Durham, North Carolina, the law school has about 550 students split between its day and evening programs.

Founded during the time of lawful segregation in this country, the University and Law School were originally called the North Carolina College for Negroes, it provided African-Americans with the opportunity for a legal education.  In 1944 the first woman was admitted, and now 60% law school's student population is female.  In 1965 white students were enrolled, and the Law School is now considered one of the most diverse law schools in the country.

Dean Raymond Pierce told PreLaw Magazine that "law school in general is so expensive these days and it doesn't have to be.  Our law school clearly demonstrates that a quality legal education can be provided at an affordable price".  Pierce states that the Law School tries to keep its tuition in check by setting spending priorities, and said, "law schools need to resist the costly temptation of spending funds simply for the purpose of improving its rankings.  You can spend a lot of money on classes and other items not related to the creation of lawyers.  I'd rather put my money on the students."

The school also keeps its costs under control and in assisting its students by sharing faculty with nearby Duke University School of Law and the University of North Carolina School of Law.

Full post as published by Chuck Newton on January 04, 2008 (boomark / email).