Florida State University College of Law has jumped 11 slots in the latest edition of the influential national rankings of law schools by U.S. News & World Report. The magazine’s 2006 edition of America’s Best Graduate Schools also ranks the College of Law as one of the most diverse in the country.
Compared to last year, Florida State’s law school increased its standing in a number of ways. Its reputational rankings increased, both among judges and lawyers and among academics. The figures also reflect a much stronger entering class, an improved student-faculty ratio, and an increased job placement rate.
U.S. News’ ranking of 179 accredited law schools lists only three of Florida’s law schools in the top 100: the University of Florida at 41, Florida State University at 56, and the University of Miami at 73.
“We are thrilled that the outside world recognizes that we have made great strides, but we also believe that the rankings still understate the level of our excellence,” said law Dean Don Weidner
Provost Larry Abele added: “Our law school is, by many measures, among the best in the nation, and, because reputation often lags behind performance, we expect that this is only the beginning of the national recognition of the quality of our faculty and students.”