The 2025 Best Law Schools rankings, released by U.S. News & World Report on April 8, have given Vanderbilt Law School a significant boost, with the institution placed at No. 14. This is a remarkable five-place increase from its previous ranking of No. 19 last year. The improvement in VLS’s ranking can be attributed to the updated methodology used by U.S. News, which was introduced in 2023. The current ranking is derived through scoring on ten unique factors, which are categorized into four main areas. These categories include:
- Placement success and bar passage weighted at 58%
- Quality assessment at 25%
- Selectivity at 10%
- Faculty and library resources at 7%
These factors contribute to Vanderbilt Law School’s ranking, which reflects its commitment to providing an exceptional legal education. Third-year law student Miles Brinkley noted that the change in U.S. News’s methodology aligns with the strengths of VLS. According to the American Bar Association Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar, Vanderbilt reported a 96.97% first-time bar passage rate in 2023, 92.05% in 2022 and 95.15% in 2021. “We’re finally being recognized for what we do,” Brinkley said. “[VLS has been] consistent at a high level, but I have noticed a huge jump in our employment [department] — the career services office have doubled or tripled their efforts.”
Brinkley emphasized the role of VLS faculty in helping him balance his academics and social life. He praised the institution’s close knit and varied environment, which he believes has contributed to his well-rounded education. “I hope we keep our character — the people are good people,” Brinkley said. “I hope that as we rise [in ranking], we keep that spirit about us, the thing that I think makes us special.”
Junior Serena Celi discussed the jump in ranking to No. 14 and its implications for undergraduates on the pre-law track. She noted that the rise did not come as a surprise to her, given VLS’s reputation for providing a consistent and intentional support for its students. “[VLS’s] faculty greatly cares for its students,” Celi said. “There are consistent speaker events with provided lunches, and its small size allows [VLS] to host classes only on Monday through Thursday so that students can intern or work at local firms on Fridays.”
Celi highlighted the Coffee Chats with Local Lawyers program, which is expected to expand. She also emphasized the importance of Vanderbilt’s undergraduate pre-law students advancing their legal careers in the T14 Law Schools and credited assistant dean for legal studies, Kelly Bahiraei, for helping VPLS grow its offerings.
