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Law Courses at Cornell University
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Last updated on 3 Mar '25Cornell LawWhat's new?
Upcoming deadlines for admission to J.D. & LL.M. programs is given below:
- D. course Final deadline for J.D. (Juris Doctor) program is Jul 1, 2025
- Last date for applying to M. program is Dec 15, 2025
Applications received post Dec 15 will be considered on the basis of seat availability.
- About Cornell Law School
- Cornell Law School Courses and Fees
- Cornell Law Popular Courses
- Cornell Law Popular Programs
- Cornell Law School Rankings
- Cornell Law School Admission Dates 2025
- Cornell Law School Admission Requirements 2025
- Cornell Law School Placements
- Cornell vs Stanford vs Columbia: Which is better?
- Cornell Law School Campus Life
- Cornell Law School Notable Alumni
- Cornell Law Students reviews
About Cornell Law School
Cornell Law is a part of the prestigious Cornell University located in Ithaca, New York.
The Law School founded in 1887 by Andrew Dickson White, began with the aim of educating “a fair number of well-trained, large-minded, morally-based lawyers in the best possible manner.” He hoped the law school’s graduates would become a blessing to the country, at the bar & in various other public bodies.
It is known to offer a range of law course across several prominent areas of study such as: Administrative Law, Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Corporate Law, Criminal Law & more. The most prominent programs offered by the law school however are its 3-year JD (Juris Doctor) & L.L.M. programs.
The institute is rated highly by several prominent university ranking platforms including Shiksha. As part of its latest popularity rankings Shiksha ranks the law school #15 for its overall Law studies among US institutions. As a result of its high ranking, it receives thousands of applications from across the globe for admission to a few hundred seats. However, the law school only accepts a select number of students as evidenced by its acceptance rate of 23%.
Commonly asked questions On About Law
Cornell is special for a number of reasons, but the most prominent one being its world class faculty & small but diverse student body. The total number of students pursuing a LL.M. or J.S.D. course is 132, representing over 29 countries.
The low student count allows a more supportive & friendly environment & the university's faculty to give better attention to the students.
Yes, Cornell Law is a part of the Cornell University which falls under the umbrella of the Ivy League institutions.
Members of the Ivy League are considered the best educational institutions in the US & are known for their world class infrastructural facilities, quality education & providing students an enriching learning environment.
Cornell has an acceptance rate of 23% suggesting it is very selective at granting admission to its law courses.
Interested candidates must perform really well in past academics & entrance level exams to secure admission.
The law school ranks very highly as part of university rankings of several prominent platforms including Shiksha. As part of its the latest popularity rankings, Cornell ranks #15 for its LL.M. programs & overall law studies.
The tuition fee for a full-time JD (Juris Doctor) programme at Cornell is USD 81, 306 (INR 71.02 L).
There are some other costs that student may incur as part of living at Cornell such as rent, food, travel, utilities, insurance, etc. The estimated cost of accommodation for JD students is around USD 28,330 (INR 24.75 L).
Cornell Law School Courses and Fees
Students can choose from a range of law based courses that are available to be pursued in a part-time, full-time & dual program basis.
Its 3-year JD program is one of its most popular courses to which interest is shown by both domestic & international students. Apart from the JD program, it is also known for its General L.L.M program. Students can also choose from a range of international law programs allowing them to better understand other diverse cultures & legal systems around the globe.
Mentioned below are some of the popular international law courses that are available to students:
- Comparitive Law
- International & Foreign Legal Research
- International Taxation
- Public International Law
- International Trade & WTO Law
A select number of students also get the opportunity to pursue dual degree programs, allowing them to earn both a Cornell J.D. & graduate law degree. Listed below are some of the popular dual degree courses offered at Cornell:
- J.D. & LL.M. Degree with honors in International & Comparitive Law
- J.D. with honors in International Legal Affairs
- J.D/LL.M. Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne University
Cornell Law School Fees
The Cornell Law tuition fee varies based on the course & the specialisation students opt to pursue.
The tuition fee for a single LL.M academic year is around INR 68.3 L. While a 3-year J.D. program has an overall tuition fee of around INR 71.02 L.
Apart from the tuition fee, students must also plan for other accommodation costs over the duration of studies at Cornell.
New York is considered among the costliest cities in the U.S. & thus students must plan carefully, taking all possible costs into consideration.
Mentioned below are some possible costs LL.M. students may incur over the duration of studies:
|
Fee Component |
Cost |
|---|---|
|
Tuition |
INR 68.3 L |
|
Hostel |
INR 9.57 L |
|
Insurance |
INR 3.22 L |
|
Transportation |
INR 2.68 L |
|
Other Expenses |
INR 4.66 L |
|
Total Fee |
INR 88.42 L |
| Courses | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Duration & Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
LL.M.(1 course) | INR 70 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 1 year Exam Accepted: IELTS: 7 & Above, TOEFL: 100 & Above, Duolingo |
Commonly asked questions On Fees and Eligibility
The overall cost of attendance at Cornell is based on the course & the standard of lifestyle students decide to pursue.
The estimated cost of attendance as part of the J.D. programme is around USD 109,636 (INR 95.77 L).
This includes the tuition fee of around USD 81,306 (INR 71 L). The rest of the cost is covered as part of living & other miscellaneous expenses such as: housing, meals, books, loans, application costs, transportation, etc.
The cost of a LL.M. programme from Cornell is around INR 68.73 L. Students must also plan for some other costs they may incur over the duration of studies such as rent, utilities, travel, personal expenses, etc.
The starting costs of living in NYC is higher than other cities in the U.S. & lies somewhere in the region of INR 25-30 L for students living as part of university owned apartments.
The law school is selective at admitting students to its courses & only considers highly qualified candidates. The median GPA of the J.D. Class of 2027 is 3.89. Students belonging to the 25th percentile for GPA secured an average score of 3.73 while individuals belonging to the 75th percentile secured a GPA of 3.96.
Cornell LawPopular Courses
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Cornell LawPopular Programs
Cornell Law School Rankings
Cornell is part of the illustrious Cornell University & is rated highly by numerous university ranking platforms both in the U.S & abroad. Shiksha popularity rankings ranks the law school #15 for its LL.M. courses & for its overall law based studies.
The institute also receives an overall university rank of #12, placing it among the best instituions in the US.
Another prominent university ranking platform, ranks the law school #14 out of 196 law institutions as part of its Best Law Schools Rankings (US). While another publication ranks it #35 for best law schools in the United States.
Commonly asked questions On Rankings
Cornell is ranked very highly by several prominent ranking platforms for its courses & overall infrastructure.
Listed below are some of the top accolades Cornell law has achieved:
· #12 overall university rank (Shiksha)
· #14 for best law schools in the US (Unofficial source)
· #15 for LL.M. programs (Shiksha)
· #15 for overall law courses (Shiksha)
· #35 for best law studies in the US (Unofficial source)
Cornell Law School Admission Dates 2025
Admission deadlines at Cornell Law varies with courses, every course has its own specific deadline.
Mentioned below are the upcoming deadlines to the J.D. & LL.M. courses:
- Final Deadline for applying to J.D. course is Jul 1, 2025
- Deadline for applying to LL.M course is Dec 15, 2025
The applications received after the Dec 15, will be considered on the basis of whether any seats are available or not.
The university advises international students to submit respective admission applications as soon as the window opens to allow enough time for document processing.
Cornell Law School Admission Requirements 2025
Students looking to pursue their higher law studies from Cornell must satisfy the law school’s admission requirements.
As part of the application process, students must submit a set of documents as proof of past qualifications & some other travel documents such as proof of valid visa & passport to secure admission.
The admission requirements may vary with courses, listed below are the requirements for admission to J.D. courses:
- A bachelorette degree from an accredited international institution
- Must have taken the LSAT, GRE or GMAT exam
- Provide educational transcripts
- Provide at-least two letters of recommendation
- Proof of valid passport & student visa
- Statement of Purpose
- A Professional Resume
Given below are the admission requirements for students looking to pursue the LL.M. program:
- A Credential Assembly Service (CAS) report
- Official certificate of each degree obtained
- Two letters of recommendation
- Statement of Interest
- A Professional Resume
- Character & Fitness addendum (if required)
- ESL waiver request (if applicable)
- Payment of a non-refundable standard application fee of USD 80 (around INR 7,000)
- Satisfy the below listed language scores:
|
Test |
Minimum Score |
|---|---|
|
IELTS |
7.5 |
|
Duolingo English Test |
130
|
|
TOEFL iBT |
100
|
Admission process for International Students
Candidates interested to admissions at the institute must follow the steps mentioned below to successfully file respective admission applications:
- Create an account on the official university portal
- Choose Cornell Law School from the list of institutions
- Choose the deadline to which you wish to apply
- Submit all mandatory documents
- Submit any additional course-specific documents
- Provide proof of language test scores
- Complete your application & pay the standard application fee
- Submit the application
- Wait for an official response to arrive
- Accept the offer letter
- Pack your bags to commence your studies at Cornell
Commonly asked questions On Admission Requirements
Students looking at pursuing law studies from Cornell, must satisfy its admission requirements & submit an admission application by following the steps mentioned below:
· Create an account on the official portal
· From the list of institutions, select the law school
· Choose a decision deadline you wish to apply to
· Submit all important documents such as SOPs, LORs, Professional Resume, etc.
· Provide valid language test scores
· Pay the application fee & submit the application
· Wait for the law school's official response
· Review all conditions & accept the offer letter
· Pack your bags for NYC
As per the latest data available on the law school's website, the median LSAT score secured by the students of the Class of 2027 JD & LL.M. programs is 173.
Students belonging as part of the 25th percentile secured an LSAT score of 169, while those part of the 75th percentile secured a LSAT score of 175.
The minimum IELTS score needed for admission to Cornell is 7.5. Apart from IELTS, students can also provide some other test scores as part of their applications.
The minimum TOEFL iBT (Internet Based Test) score students must secure is 100, while the minimum Duolingo English test score needed for admission is 130.
The last date for applying to the Juris Doctor program for the upcoming session is Jul 1, while the latest deadline for applying to the LL.M. course is Dec 15.
Cornell Law School Placements
Cornell maintains a solid reputation for being one of the best employing institutions in the US & worldwide.
Cornell graduates go through a rigorous academic curriculum & are trained under the supervision of some of the best educational instructors in the country. Thus, its graduates are always in demand to some of the top public & private law firms.
Mentioned below are some of the top firms hiring Cornell law graduates:
- Latham & Watkins
- Simpson & Thatcher
- Kirkland & Ellis
- Simpson Thatcher & Bartlett LLP
Cornell graduates are paid highly for their services in the industry. As per the latest employment data available on the law school’s website, the median salary earned by Cornell’s graduate Class of 2023 being USD 215,000 (INR 1.87 Cr.).
Of the overall law student population, 98.3% of graduates secured employment within first 10 months of graduation, while 96.41% of graduates passed the 2024 bar exam.
Graduates are employed across a range of sectors in law based positions, listed below is a detailed breakdown of the sectors Cornell graduates are employed in:
|
Industry |
Percentage |
|---|---|
|
Legal |
34.4% |
|
Business Development |
14.19% |
|
Entrepreneurship |
12.27% |
|
Education |
6% |
|
Operations |
3.47% |
|
Other |
29.6% |
Commonly asked questions On Placements
Cornell graduates are very much in demand to some of the top public & private law firms in the US & worldwide.
They are paid handsomely for respective contributions to the industry, with the median salary being around USD 215,000 (INR 1.87 Cr).
Cornell Law graduates are providing legal services to several prominent businesses & public organizations.
They are no longer limited to the courts & are working in key consultancy & law regulation roles in several industries. Mentioned below is a detailed breakdown of the same:
Industry | Percentage |
|---|---|
Legal | 34.4% |
Business Development | 14.19% |
Entrepreneurship | 12.27% |
Education | 6% |
Operations | 3.47% |
Other | 29.6% |
Cornell Law Graduates are scouted by numerous prominent public & private organizations for their highly skilled nature & ability to get the job done.
Listed below are some of the law school's top recruiters:
· Latham & Watkins
· Kirkland & Ellis
· Simpson Thatcher & Bartlett LLP
· Simpson & Thatcher
Cornell vs Stanford vs Columbia: Which is better?
Cornell, Stanford Law & Columbia Law are all considered among the prestigious law schools in the US.
Each of these institutions stand out when it comes to providing a quality standard of education & world class infrastructural facilities to go along with regular networking opportunities with some of the top lawyers in the country.
While both Cornell & Columbia law schools fall under the umbrella of Ivy League universities, Stanford isn’t part of that group. However, it still stands out as one of the best non-Ivy law institutions in the country & remains a popular destination for students.
Though there’s not much to separate these law schools, there does exist some differences students must consider before choosing between them.
Listed below is a comparison between these law schools based on some important parameters:
|
Criteria |
Cornell |
Stanford |
Columbia |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Location |
Ithaca, New York |
Stanford, California |
116th Street, New York |
|
Acceptance Rate |
23% |
7-9% |
11.7% |
|
Popular Programs |
Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, Corporate Law, International Law
|
Administrative Law, Criminal Defense Law, Environmental Law, Advanced Legal Research Law |
J.D, LL.M, Executive LL.M., J.S.D Public Interest & Public Service |
|
Tuition Fee (LL.M.) |
INR 68.3 L |
INR 62.5 L |
INR 68.79-70.44 L |
|
Shiksha Popularity Ranking (Country-level) |
#15 |
#3 |
#6 |
It can be inferred from the acceptance rate that each of these institutions are selective when it comes to accepting students. Preference is given to students who align with the nature of its diverse & smart student bodies, with an urge to solve complex problems.
Studying at one of the above law schools doesn't come cheap either as the tuition fee ranges upwards of INR 60 L for each of them. Despite not being a part of the illustrious Ivy League, Stanford ranks above both Cornell & Columbia as part of Shiksha’s country level university ranking.
Cornell Law School Campus Life
Located in Ithaca, New York the Cornell Law School campus offers the perfect blend of urban & natural beauty to students.
The campus provides an inclusive learning environment where everyone feels valued & part of a larger family of law students, faculty & university staff.
Its fully equipped world class rooms, labs & libraries combine well with its sunny courtyards & gardens providing students a welcome respite to the institute’s rigorous academic curriculum.
A key feature of the law school is its emphasis on practical implementation of concepts learned in classrooms for a more holistic development of students. Community interaction is at the heart with workshops & conversations with some of the best & most experienced minds of the industry taking place regularly over the duration of the academic year.
Student groups also go on lunch & dinner breaks at the city’s best restaurants with friends, & on some occasions the law school faculty to unwind & enjoy.
Mock trials are conducted in its specialised law practicing facility, providing students better exposure to the day-to-day demands & workings of the law industry.
There are some other facilities such as study halls, recreation halls, sports grounds & courts as well as student clubs & societies for students to explore & take part in based on personal interest.
Housing facilities are available to students at the law school campus:
- Cornell Housing: The law school maintains accommodation facilities of its own as part of its Hasbrouck Apartments & Cooperative Housing. Studio rooms, 1-bed, shared 2-bed apartments & townhouses are available to students with all other essential facilities provided. Both housing facilities offer a family-friendly neighbourhood, ideal for families with young children.
- Off-Campus: Cornell does not maintain off-campus housing facilities of its own, however it does maintain a house listing platform for students to find the best apartments/living facilities near the university campus at the best prices. There are certain other portals that can be looked at for off-campus accommodation including: The Ithaca Journal, The Cornell Daily Sun, Trulia, etc.
Commonly asked questions On Campus Life
The majority of Cornell Law students live in the Lower Collegetown region located between the Law School & downtown. The reason being it is much quieter, less-expensive & features more parking spots than the Collegetown region.
Students living as part of the UG accommodation residences are not air-conditioned. The newest UG residences are designed to maintain a temperature between 70 & 75 degrees.
Some residents who require adaptive housing for health reasons are provided with air-conditioned rooms.
New York is among the costlier US based cities to study & live in. Rents for private apartments for individual living are sky-high, hence why most students prefer on-campus housing due to its affordable nature.
The estimated cost of living in NYC is around INR 25-30 L. This figure may change based on the standard of living students decide to pursue.
Cornell is not known to maintain off-campus accommodation of its own, however it does maintain an off-campus house listing website for students looking at living near the heart of the city. Other portals that offer similar facilities includes: The Ithaca Journal, The Cornell Daily Sun & Trulia.
Cornell Law School Notable Alumni
Cornell Law has given many individuals who have gone on to make significant contributions to the law & some other popular industries by using their knowledge & talents.
Some of the most popular members of the Cornell Law alumni network are given below:
- Edmund Muskie: Former US Secretary of State
- William P. Rogers: Attorney & Former US Secretary of State
- William J. Lynn III: Former US Deputy Director of Defence
Mentioned below are some other notable individuals that form part of the Cornell alumni network:
|
Alumni Name |
Alumni Profession |
Alumni |
|---|---|---|
|
Robert Boochever |
Former Judge |
 |
|
Tsai Ing-wen |
Politician & Legal Scholar |
 |
|
Phillip Perry |
American Attorney |
Commonly asked questions On Alumni
Cornell is home to a number of notable individuals who have made significant contributions to respective industries & brought about a positive change in society.
Listed below are some of the most popular individuals who form part of Cornell's alumni network:
· Robert Boochever: Former Judge
· Tsai Ing-wen: Politician & Legal Scholar
· William J. Lynn III: Former US Deputy Director of Defence
· Phillip Perry: American Attorney
· William P. Rogers: Attorney & Former US Secretary of State
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- 40% students never faced discrimination in this university
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 14 hours ago
These are a few of Cornell's firsts:
- One of the first to admit students of color in Mid-1880s
- The founding institution for Alpha Phi Alpha, the first African-American Undergraduate fraternity in 1906
- In 1916, Cornell Uni became the founding institution for Rho Psi, the first Asian fraternity in the Ivy
C
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 14 hours ago
A comparison of Cornell with Columbia, University of Pennsylvania, and Yale University is given as follows:
Particulars | Cornell | Columbia | UPenn | Yale |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Location | Ithaca, New York | NY City | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | New Haven, Connecticut |
QS Rankings 2026 | #16 | #38 | #15 | #21 |
Acceptance rate | 8.41% | Around 4% | Around 6% | 4.5% |
Annual total cost | INR 55-60 L | INR 60-65 L | INR 52 L – INR 58 L | INR 58 L – INR 62 L |
Top courses | CS, Business, Engineering | Business, CS, Finance, Journalism | MBA, CS | Law, History, Pol. Science |
Notable Alumni | Ratan Tata, Shantanu Narayen | Arvind Krishna, Dr. Raj Chetty | Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, Sundar Pichai | Indra Nooyi |
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 14 hours ago
Yes, the MPS in Management course at Cornell is a STEM-based program. The duration of this course is 10-months. The STEM designation means students are going to find Analytics, Databases, Machine Learning and other technologically driven tools and practices covered throughout the course. Internation
I
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 14 hours ago
Cornell offers need-based financial aid to admitted international students who have applied for financial aid and have demonstrated financial aid. So, admission decision for financial decisions are need-based. This means that applications for international students are evaluated for admission with c
G
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 3 weeks ago
The trends for number of students who apply to Cornell Uni admissions each year, the number of students who get selected, along with the acceptance rate each year are given below:
Academic Year | Number of Applications Received | Number of Students Accepted | Cornell University Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
2024-25 | 65,612 | 5,516 | 8.4% |
2023-24 | 67,846 | 5,358 | 7.8% |
2022-23 | 71,164 | 5,168 | 7.3% |
2021-22 | 67,380 | 5,852 | 8.7% |
2020-21 | 51,500 | 5,514 | 10.7% |
R
Contributor-Level 10
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| University City | Ithaca, New York, USA |
| Size of city | Small |
| Population of City | 30,756 |
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