Illinois law schools advice and ratings use many statistics, such as employment prospects, median salary and tuition. Intangibles such as campus life, teaching methods and learning atmosphere may also form the basis of a law school evaluation.

Applicants to accredited law schools in Illinois should begin their search by first considering law schools located in their desired geographic area. They also should consider the top law schools in the state where they plan to practice. Applicants should then select the schools that are within their budget and meet their specific needs. There are three general sources for evaluating Illinois law schools:

1. Blogs on an Illinois state law school. A credible blog or other type of social media may have posts from students, faculty and law school experts sharing their personal experiences or professional opinions about Illinois law schools.
2. Rating services of law schools. Recognized experts may provide ratings of law schools that offer an exceptional education.
3. Recognition for individual law schools. The best law schools will have awards, grants and other accolades for their programs.
   

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Get advice for IL law schools through blogs

Blogs contain posts from law students, professors or lawyers who have personal experience with various law schools. They can provide valuable insight and advice for choosing the best law schools in Illinois.

I recommend: The Merits of the Case is kept by a law student attending Loyola University of Chicago School of Law and contains specific advice for law students with children. Lag Liv is the blog by a recent graduate from the University of Chicago Law School and contains helpful advice for law students.

Study rankings of Illinois law colleges

Rankings for law schools in Illinois are an effective and credible source of advice and ratings. Each rating service should provide their methodology. Rankings typically consist of weighted factors, such as assessments of law professors, selectivity and placement rate.

I recommend: The National Law Journal provides rankings of law schools based on scholarships, including law schools in Illinois, and has an extensive analysis on these rankings. LawCrossing provides specific ranking information for DePaul University College of Law.

Look at law schools in Illinois that are awards recipients

Awards and accolades can be an excellent way of identifying top tier law schools in Illinois. Law schools may receive awards for legal research, academic programs or specific papers. The best law schools will also receive grants for their programs.

I recommend: The Center for Animal Law Studies has named Cheyne Adam and David Lipschutz of The John Marshall Law School as the winners of the 2009 Closing Argument Competition. The National Science Foundation has awarded the University of Illinois College of Law a research grant for information management and compliance for patent laws.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Law school applicants seeking a highly rated Illinois law school should use the law school ratings to get a good overview of the schools. However, applicants should be more concerned with finding a law school that will meet their particular needs, rather than attending the highest ranked law school on a list. Law school students may also wish to consider attending an online Illinois law school. Attending Illinois law schools online may provide a more affordable option for busy law school students.

There are so many jobs for people who hold Illinois law degrees. From civil law to criminal litigation to business negotiations, lawyers are in high demand. Law schools generally accept students who hold a Bachelor's degree in any major, but they prefer students who majored in business, political science or something similar during their undergraduate years.

Different IL law schools have different requirements, but being the best student you can be will only help your chances. Remember to research each school's admission requirements before applying.

1. Look into attending a public Illinois law school. These schools are bustling with life and social opportunities.

2. See if perhaps a private Illinois state law school is right for you. These schools cost a bit more but the quality of education is known for being of the highest quality.

3. Find out which Illinois law universities are accredited by the ABA. Attending an American Bar Association accredited school ensures that you'll be eligible to sit for the Bar Exam.

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Check out the public law schools in Illinois

Public schools can be just as good as private schools, but for a fraction of the cost. They have large student bodies and foster a feeling of community. The opportunities for networking are great, and after you graduate, you'll be glad you made those contacts.

I recommend: Explore the programs offered at the University of Illinois, which has impressive employment statistics for law graduates. Northern Illinois University has a unique opportunity to study abroad in Agen, France.

Consider attending one of the private Illinois law schools

Private schools may cost more but each has its own advantages. For example, some colleges use rolling admissions (and thus, no application deadlines) and offer part-time classes as well as full-time schedules.

I recommend: Participate in the litigation practicum at the John Marshall Law School. Take a tour of the law school at the renowned DePaul University College of Law.

Find reputable and ABA accredited Illinois law colleges

The American Bar Association (ABA) approves schools that offer a proper law education, and guarantees that the student can sit for the Bar Exam upon graduation. Laws vary from state to state, but going to an accredited school is a good idea no matter what. Also, checking out the rankings of different schools can help you find top law schools in Illinois.

I recommend: Find accredited schools in your area at the American Bar Association. Find rankings for Illinois schools on Top-Law-Schools.com.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Carefully compare Illinois law schools before you make a decision to apply to one. You'll want to find the school that's right for you; some schools may offer law programs that don't appeal to you. Also, consider the professors' experience before deciding.

Illinois has some great law schools and is an excellent choice for aspiring lawyers. However, there are some terms associated with Illinois law schools that you should know before you get started. Whether you want to go to a public or private law school, you'll want to make sure that it's an ABA-approved school if you want to sit for the Bar Exam. A good LSAT score can help you get into the best schools, but the following terms are probable not on your LSAT vocabulary list, though they are important.

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Public vs. private law schools in Illinois

Public law schools receive funding from the government, while private law schools do not. This means that private law schools in Illinois often have a higher tuition fee than public schools. This does not mean that they are necessarily more expensive. Sometimes, private schools are able to offer more in the way of financial aid than public schools due to large financial endowments from alumnae. Apply to both types of schools to compare financial aid packages.

I recommend: The University of Illinois is an example of a public law school, while DePaul University is a private school.

Law School Admission Test (LSAT)

The Law School Admissions Test, commonly referred to as the LSAT is a standardized test that you must take if you want to apply to law school. Many schools base their decision partially on these test scores in addition to college transcripts and recommendations. The LSAT tests reading comprehension, analytical reasoning and logistical reasoning.

I recommend: Learn more about the LSAT from the Law School Admission Council, which administers the test.

Illinois Bar Exam

Once they've finished law school, students must pass the Illinois Bar Exam if they want to practice in the state of Illinois. This tests their knowledge of the law and ensures that they have the knowledge necessary to practice. Each state has its own test and requires lawyers to test for their state.

I recommend: The John Marshall Law School offers an overview of the Illinois Bar Exam.

ABA-approved law schools in Illinois

Students must attend an law school that is approved by the American Bar Association if they want to practice law. This ensures that the school they study at is legitimate.

I recommend: Visit the American Bar Association to learn more about ABA-approved law schools in Illinois.

Juris Doctorate (J.D.)

A Juris Doctorate, or J.D. is the degree that you get when you finish law school.

I recommend: The Law School Bible describes a J.D. in depth.

Rolling admissions

A school that has rolling admissions does not have a set deadline for applications. They accept applications until the next year's class is full. This is ideal for those that want to know if they got into their school of choice early or those who didn't get into their school of choice and want to apply to a backup.

I recommend: Peterson's explains the rolling admissions process.

The pricing and costs of Illinois law schools is generally very expensive compared to other types of formal education. The bar exam that is taken after graduation from law school also requires additional expenses, such as the course review, exam registration, transportation and accommodations.

The average Illinois state law school student leaves school with more that $84,000 in debt, which is a major factor in the decision of many law students to seek employment with major law firms, rather than in the public or non-profit sectors. There are three general factors that affect the cost of an Illinois law school:

1. Tuition and other fees. Tuition can vary dramatically between IL law schools.
   
2. Additional expenses for law schools in Illinois. These costs for Illinois law schools primarily consist of living expenses, books and other school supplies. Law school also requires unique fees, such as the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) fee, the law school application fee and the subscription fee to the Law School Data Assembly Service (LSDAS).
   
3. Financial aid. Scholarships, grants and loans are a common way to reduce the costs for Illinois law schools.
   

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Compare annual Illinois law school tuition prices

The tuition for private Illinois law schools is often dramatically higher than it is for public law schools. Tuition and other law school expenses are typically less expensive for residents of Illinois than for non-residents. The tuition and other fees for a year of law school in Illinois ranges from about $14,000 to $35,000 for residents.

I recommend: The Chicago-Kent College of Law estimates full time tuition to be about $35,000 per year. The DePaul University College of Law charges tuition of about $35,000 per year for full-time students and $23,000 per year for part-time students.

Determine the other costs of attending Illinois law colleges

Living expenses tend to be determined more by geography than by the law school. Some law schools in Illinois may provide the average costs of living and other pricing information on housing, books, supplies and other miscellaneous law student expenses.

I recommend: The John Marshall Law School estimates student living expenses, including books and supplies, to be approximately $24,000 per year. Northern Illinois University College of Law provides a cost of living expense figure of $14,000 per year, which includes housing, books and miscellaneous personal expenses.

Save money on Illinois law universities with grants and scholarships

Financial aid, such as grants, loans and scholarships, is the most common way of reducing law school expenses. Federal loans like the Stafford and Perkins loans frequently have the lowest interest rates and are guaranteed by the United States government. Employment is also an option, but many law schools place limits on the number of hours per week a student may work while attending law school.

I recommend: The Northwestern University School of Law, Chicago Office of Financial Aid offers private loans up to the attendance cost less any additional financial aid. The University of Chicago Law School offers a variety of financial aid options, including a one-time loan of $1500 to buy a computer.