How does the University of Florida Levin College of Law compare to other law schools in the Southeast?
Executive summary
The University of Florida Levin College of Law sits among the stronger public law schools in the Southeast, consistently ranked in the top 40 nationally by U.S. News and described as the top law school in Florida by multiple sources [1] [2]. Its nationally elite tax program, competitive admissions metrics, relatively low in-state tuition and strong employment and bar outcomes are the primary factors that separate it from many regional peers, though rankings fluctuate across different publications and some student critiques point to trade-offs in class size and placement depth beyond the top tier [3] [4] [5].
1. Reputation and rankings: a stable regional leader with variable national placement
Levin is regularly cited as the leading public law school in Florida and appears in the U.S. News top ~30–40 range in recent reporting — U.S. News lists it at No. 38 (tie) in one dataset while other outlets place it between the high 20s and low 30s, reflecting differences in methodology and timing [1] [6] [7] [8]. This variability matters: prospective students comparing Southeast options should read the rankings as correlated signals rather than immutable facts, because third‑party lists and the school’s own claims emphasize different strengths [3] [6].
2. Academic strengths and signature programs: tax law and breadth of certificates
UF Law highlights a top‑three national ranking in tax law and claims more full‑time tax faculty than any other school, and external sources corroborate a renowned tax program and multiple certificate options in areas like environmental law and IP — a rare concentration that gives specialists a clear regional advantage [3] [2] [5]. At the same time, U.S. News specialty placements show mixed results in clinical training and certain practice areas (e.g., tied in Clinical Training and IP rankings), so depth of specialty matters more than blanket prestige [2].
3. Admissions selectivity, student credentials and cost/value calculus
Recent aggregated data report high median credentials — LSAT and GPA medians in competitive ranges — and acceptance rates reported between roughly 17–28% depending on the source and year, which places Levin among selective public programs in the Southeast [9] [10] [4]. Tuition is notably lower for in‑state students compared with private regional rivals (in‑state full‑time ~$21,800; out‑of‑state ~$38,000), a factor frequently cited by students and Princeton Review reviewers as strong “value for price” relative to peers [1] [5] [4].
4. Outcomes: bar passage and employment — strong but context dependent
Levin touts high employment and bar outcomes: ABA disclosures and summaries report employment rates near 90–95% for graduates in bar‑passage‑required or JD‑advantage roles within nine months and first‑time passage rates that outperformed the Florida average in recent administrations [2]. Independent snapshots show first‑time bar passage in the low‑80s and an “ultimate” two‑year pass rate near 93% for a recent class, metrics that rival or exceed many regional public law schools but should be compared against state‑by‑state baselines [2] [10].
5. Student experience, size, and alumni network: access with scale tradeoffs
Student reviews praise faculty accessibility and a well‑resourced program with diverse cohorts and strong alumni connections in Florida and national markets, while criticisms flag large first‑year sections and a placement system that some say favors top students — a common dynamic at sizable public law schools that offer both breadth and bureaucratic complexity [5] [11]. The school’s Gainesville location and ties to UF’s broader campus life amplify recruitment advantages in state markets but may matter less for candidates targeting other Southeastern legal hubs.
6. Comparative verdict and tradeoffs for applicants
Compared with other Southeastern law schools, Levin is a compelling option for applicants seeking a high-ranked public law school with a best‑in‑class tax program, strong bar/employment performance in Florida, and lower in‑state cost; however, those prioritizing boutique clinical training, ultra‑small class intimacy, or dominant placement in markets outside Florida may find alternatives elsewhere in the region [3] [2] [5]. Readers should weigh current ranking snapshots, specialty fit, geographic ambitions and the possibility that different ranking methodologies yield different “best” answers [1] [6].