The University of Iowa College of Law
http://www.law.uiowa.edu/
Collegial. Cooperative. Community-minded.
Sitting on a wooded hilltop overlooking the Iowa River and Iowa City's historic downtown, Iowa Law boasts a sophisticated yet intimate atmosphere. Part of the larger University of Iowa campus, Iowa Law reflects Iowa City's unique cultural community. Students, faculty, and staff work together in a friendly, relaxed, and productive environment that puts students' needs first. Iowa Law students participate in diverse organizations and contribute to our four scholarly publications.
The University of Iowa College of Law is the oldest law school west of the Mississippi. Iowa Law's progressive history mirrors that of our state. In 1839, the Iowa Territorial Supreme Court ruled that a slave brought into Iowa must be freed. Thirty years later, the Iowa Bar admitted the first woman licensed to practice law in the United States. Alexander Clark, Jr., graduated from Iowa Law in 1879 as the school's first African-American student. His father, Alexander Clark, Sr., had helped pave the way by winning an Iowa Supreme Court case ensuring his children's right to attend public school in 1868. Clark, Sr. also attended Iowa Law, a few years after his son.
Student Demographics
Each year, approximately 200 first-year students enter our JD program and 15 foreign-trained legal scholars and practitioners enter our LLM program, preparing to join generations of professional and civic leaders. Our students share a unique law school experience that develops analytical skills, independence of mind, and keen personal integrity.
2010 Entering Class
203 JD Candidates
58% men
42% women
18% minorities
48% residents
52% nonresidents
3.59 median GPA
161 median LSAT
Age range from 21 to 49
Representing 35 states and foreign countries
Representing 93 undergraduate institutions
Career Statistics
Historically, 99% of Iowa Law graduates are employed within nine months of graduation. Our students perform extremely well on the Iowa Bar Examination and can prepare at Iowa Law for other states' exams as well.
2009 Employment Statistics
54.9% of graduates entered private practice, with a median salary of $120,000
13.6% received jobs in business
10.3% took government positions
8.2% pursued public interest careers
7.6% entered judicial clerkships
5.4% are working in academia
Alumni Statistics
The College of Law has more than 9,000 alumni. Forty percent of our alumni practice in Iowa. Other top states include illinois, Minnesota, California, Florida, Arizona, Colorado, Missouri, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin. Iowa alumni also have an international presence. Nearly 200 graduates are located outside the United States in such countries as Angola, China, England, France, Russia, South Korea, and United Arab Emirates.