University of Houston Law Center Leaps to No. 54 in U.S. News & World Report Rankings, Three Programs in Top 10

April 7, 2026 – The University of Houston Law Center climbed nine spots to No. 54 overall in the latest U.S. News & World Report Best Law Schools rankings. The Law Center also maintained its reputation as a national leader in specialized programs, earning three top 10 distinctions in the rankings. The Part-time Law Program ranked No. 5 and Health Care Law ranked No. 9 again, while Intellectual Property climbed five spots to No. 7.

This jump puts UHLC within striking distance of its goal to be among the top 50 law schools in the nation.

“We all know that UH Law is a top-tier law school, which affords our graduates best value with an excellent return on investment. The Law Center provides our students with a world-class education enabling them to succeed in any endeavor, University of Houston Law Center Dean Leonard M. Baynes said. “It is rewarding to know that our U.S. New’s ranking is aligning with the Law Center’s inherent value and merit. Many thanks to all who helped contribute to our law faculty, student achievement, and alumni success.”

The annual U.S. News & World Report evaluate law schools based on several factors, including employment outcomes, bar passage rates, faculty resources, and peer assessments by legal professionals and educators nationwide.

“Several factors have contributed to this rise,” Baynes said. “UHLC’s entering class is the strongest in the Law Center’s history, with a median LSAT of 163 and a median GPA of 3.79. Nearly one-quarter of the class also comes from first-generation college backgrounds.”

Baynes said the Law Center’s graduating class included in U.S. News latest analysis delivered strong results as well, posting a 94% employment rate 10 months after graduation and a nearly 90% first-time bar passage rate.

He said the rankings also reflect UHLC’s broader reputation, including the strength of its faculty and alumni.

“UHLC’s faculty have exceptional academic credentials and produce outstanding academic legal scholarship,” Baynes said. “Many of our recent hires hold multiple advanced degrees in addition to a J.D., and they regularly publish in top 30 law reviews. Just as important, they are supportive teachers who help students successfully transition into the legal profession.”

Baynes also pointed to the Law Center’s almost 18,000 alumni network as a key strength.

“The Law Center is fortunate to have influential and successful alumni across a wide range of practice areas and in business, government, and public interest,” he said. “They remain deeply engaged by mentoring students, serving as adjuncts, hiring graduates, and giving back philanthropically.”

The Law Center also has 11 specialty programs ranked in the top 50 nationwide. Besides Health Law, IP Law and the Part-Time Law programs, several additional Law Center programs also posted strong gains in this year’s rankings, including double-digit jumps in Contracts/Commercial Law, International Law, Trial Advocacy and Tax Law:

UH Law Center specialty rankings

• Part-Time Program: No. 5
• Intellectual Property: No. 7 (up 5 spots)
• Health Care Law: No. 9
• Trial Advocacy: No. 16 (Up 13 spots)
• Legal Writing: No. 22
• Dispute Resolution: No. 24
• Tax Law: No. 31 (Up 10 spots)
• Graduates working at Big Law Firms: No. 35
• Environmental Law: No. 39
• International Law: No. 41 (Up 30 points)
• Contracts/Commercial Law: No. 42 (Up 11 points)

No. 1 in Texas in four categories

The Law Center also had four specialty programs ranked No.1 in Texas:

• Part-time Program
• Health Care law
• Intellectual Property
• Legal Writing

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