Less than 25 years after it was founded, University of St. Thomas School of Law-Minneapolis made a significant climb in U.S. News & World Report’s annual rankings.
The private law school, located in downtown Minneapolis, recently broke the top 100 in the U.S. News & World Report rankings, jumping from the 127th to 96th this year. This is 25% improvement is partially attributed to U.S. News changing its criteria, as much as improvement in employment rates. It was one of the largest improvements in this year’s rankings.
“I don’t want anyone to put too much stock in it,” said Interim Dean Joel Nichols. “We want to be focused on what it is we’re trying to do and not let that be driven by the rankings. But it’s super nice when the rankings validate the things we are doing that provide an excellent education.”
St. Thomas Law posted a 90% employment rate for its 2022 graduating class. Employment and preparation for the practice of law is a core goal for the school.
Students get hands-on experience as well as mentorship to prepare them for their respective legal fields after graduation. The school’s mentor externship program, a unique program that has been recognized for its innovative approach, pairs students with practicing attorneys or judges during the three years of law school. It is integrated into the curriculum and students are matched to a legal professional in their area of interest. The mentor program helps open the doors for students.
The mission of St. Thomas Law is “dedicated to integrating faith and reason in the search for truth through a focus on morality and social justice.” This is seen in a variety of programs and initiatives, including resentencing of eligible candidates under less stringent drug laws, and the school’s Ireland Fellows program, which places students in a position to have an impact on marginalized populations.
