Thomas M. Cooley Law School
General Info
Thomas M. Cooley Law School, located in Lansing, Michigan, is the largest law school in the United States. Cooley is a private law school unaffiliated with a university. Named to honor the contribution and memory of Thomas M. Cooley, a nineteenth-century jurist and Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court who was prominent both within and outside of Michigan, the law school was established in 1972 by former Michigan Supreme Court Justice Thomas E. Brennan.
Contact information
- (Website) https://www.wmich.edu/law
- (Admissions Dean) admissions@cooley.edu
- (Location) Lansing, MI
Thomas M. Cooley Law School Admissions
Thomas M. Cooley Law School is considered a Somewhat Competitive law school, which accepts only 88% of its applicants. Comparatively, Cooley is Significantly Higher than the average cost for law school.
| Applications | Offers | Matriculated | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class of 2028 | 1222 | 1072 (87.73%) | 448 (36.7%) |
| 25% | Median | 75% | |
| GPA | 2.51 | 2.85 | 3.19 |
| LSAT | 138 | 141 | 147 |
Tuition And Financial Aid
| In-State Resident | Non-Resident | |
|---|---|---|
| Full Time | $47,890 | $47,890 |
| Part Time | $28,090 | $28,090 |
Living Expenses
- Living on-campus: N/A
- Living off-campus: $17,584
- Living at home: $17,584
Important Dates
- Early Decision 1: N/A
- Early Decision 2: N/A
- Regular Decision: N/A
- Application Fee: N/A
Thomas M. Cooley Law School Admissions Predictor Tool
Thomas M. Cooley Law School COMPARISON TOOL
Thomas M. Cooley Law School
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Thomas M. Cooley Law School Community
Thomas M. Cooley Law School is considered to have a Somewhat Favorable student to faculty ratio. The average class size for 1L sections is approximately Above Average compared to other law schools. Student diversity at Cooley is Average.
Student body
Faculty Statistics
- Full Time: 47
- Part Time: 157
Faculty
- # Female Faculty: 84
- # Minority Faculty: 33
Ratio
28.6 Students
1 Faculty
Housing Options
- On Campus Housing: Yes
- Graduate Housing: Yes
- Law Specific Housing: No
Thomas M. Cooley Law School Curriculum
The size of 1L sections affects the quality and consistency of teaching in law schools. Generally with smaller 1L section sizes, students receive more individualized attention. Thomas M. Cooley Law School 1L section size is 22% larger than law schools in Michigan and 25% larger than all PRIVATE law schools.
1L Section Size Comparison
Positions Available in Advanced Courses
- Simulation Courses: 3799
- Faculty Supervised Clinics: 442
Students Involved in Advanced Activities
- Field Placements: 517
- Law Journals: 198
- Moot Court/Mock Trials: 0
Attrition Rates
- First Year: 16.5%
- Second Year: 9.7%
- Third Year: 0.2%
- Fourth Year: 0.0%
Thomas M. Cooley Law School Employment
Deciding to attend law school requires a large financial investment with the goal of securing employment upon graduation. The Thomas M. Cooley Law School class of 2023 had an employment rate of 71% with 2% pursuing an additional degree.
Employment Comparison
In 2023, 71.1%% of students reported their employment status 9-months after graduation.
Type of Employment
- Law Firms: 45.0%
- Business: 29.0%
- Government: 15.0%
- Public Interest: 5.0%
- Academia: 3.0%
- Michigan: 53%
- New York: 5%
- Florida: 4%
Bar Passage Rates
- Reporting: 71.1%
- First Time Takers: 822
- Average School: 52.7%
- Average State: 72.4%
- Pass Difference: -19.6%
Top Bar Jurisdiction
- Michigan: 68.8%
- Passed: 249 of 405 (61.5%)
- State Average: 72.4%
- Difference: -7.3%