Choosing your best fit among good law schools in Canada

Finding good law schools in Canada is not an exact science. The fact is that there are many factors that make up a good law school. Many of these factors involve the personal circumstances of the aspiring student. Choosing your law school is really a matter of finding the perfect “fit” based on your status and future hopes. 

In this article, we’ll try to look through the different factors that make up good law schools in Canada. More importantly, we'll discuss how aspiring lawyers can pick the best school to meet their future goals. 

What is the number one law school in Canada? 

The University of Toronto – Faculty of Law is considered to be the best law school in Canada. In 2025, it took the top spot according to Times Higher Education (THE). Even better, the law school holds the 22nd spot in the global rankings. 

The law school doesn’t exactly release its rate of bar passers each year. Despite that, the employment rate of graduates is very promising with most students going into private practice. Around 7 to 10 percent of the graduates also go into clerkships while the same amount is admitted into government work. 

The placement of graduates is mainly due to the University’s Career Development Office (CDO). They help create connections or networks that help students find great positions after leaving school. Of course, there’s also the fact that the law school has a rigorous admission process, ensuring that their first years have tons of promise. 

What LSAT score do I need for law school in Canada? 

Good law schools in Canada do not always have minimum standards. The LSAT, despite its importance, is often viewed as part of the student’s whole profile. Hence, some schools would consider other factors like the student’s background or extracurricular activities. Their LSAT requirements may also vary depending on the admission category. 

To remain competitive, however, students should prepare and target around 160 for their LSAT. A good LSAT combined with other academic and non-academic achievements should help applicants get into the pool. For GPAs, the competitive score is around 3.0 although some law schools may look for higher scores. 

What is the hardest law school to get into in Canada? 

The University of Toronto is often cited as the hardest law school to get into. This is taking into account all other factors like the median LSAT and the median GPA. Other than academic standards, the law school also has high standards for extracurricular activities. The competition is also some of the best in the country, which increases difficulty. 

Being one of the good law schools in Canada, the university also has an excellent reputation within and across borders. Its graduates go on to become powerful leaders both in the private and public sectors. An educated approximation of their admission rate is around 7 to 8 percent. 

If looking only at the admission rate however, the hardest law school to get into would be the Lincoln Alexander School of Law (LASL). They have an admission rate of around 5 percent, which is significantly lower than all other law schools in Canada. However, note that LASL was founded in 2020. Hence, its reputation hasn’t been thoroughly established. 

What is the easiest Candian law school to get into? 

Based on the approximate admission of the committee, the Université de Sherbrooke – Faculté de droit is the easiest law school to get into. Estimates of the school’s admission rate are approximately 45 percent. However, that doesn’t mean that aspiring students should take the school for granted. Founded in 1954, the school maintains a good reputation in the legal profession. 

It also bears noting that the school is located in Québec. Normally, Québec-based law schools do not require LSAT. This helps reduce the barrier of entry for aspiring students. The competition is also limited to those who can speak French because the programs are taught in this language. 

Law schools based on area of practice 

Another way of sorting through good law schools in Canada is through their specializations. Individuals who want to focus on certain areas of law can narrow down their search based on this factor. Here’s a look at which subjects schools are best known for: 

Corporate law 

The University of Toronto – Faculty of Law (uToronto) is very close to Bay Street. This makes it near the epicenter of Canada’s business district. More importantly, this gives students easy access to companies, financial institutions, and other law firms. The university helps improve that access by conducting a business law clinic. 

Of course, there’s also the great faculty composed of legal practitioners in business law. Program-wise, the school also offers combined JD programs with a focus on business topics like Juris Doctor and Master of Business Administration.  uToronto is also partnered with the Rotman School of Management, a top business school in Canada. 

The curriculum itself is comprehensive and sets high standards for students. It covers not just theoretical information but also exposes students to practitioners in Bay Street. Ultimately, this helps students create a network even before they graduate. 

Other law schools known for their business law include York University – Osgoode Hall Law School and University of British Columbia – Peter A. Allard School of Law. 

Aboriginal law 

The University of Victoria – Faculty of Law (uVic) offers a joint JD for common law and Indigenous legal order. Even better, their faculty includes some of the best legal minds in Indigenous law. This includes John Borrows who is the Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Law. 

The university also has a National Centre for Indigenous Law, a dedicated building for workshops, public lectures, theatres, and more. Same with uVic, the Lakehead University – Bora Laskin Faculty of Law and University of British Columbia are also known for their strong Aboriginal law programs. 

Here’s a helpful look at Aboriginal law in Canada: 

Tax law 

Tax law is another area of practice that many lawyers may find challenging. It’s best taken by those who earned their Certified Public Accountant (CPA) title and would like to build on that education. Schools known for their tax law include the Osgoode Hall law school and the law school of the University of British Columbia.  

With UBC, the focus on tax law is usually at the LLM stage. Osgoode, meanwhile, has a strong faculty of tax lawyers. This helps set the stage for education, not to mention create good networks for the students. 

International law  

Several law schools are well known for their international law curriculum. There’s McGill University, University of Ottawa, and of course, the University of Toronto. Of the three though, McGill takes center stage thanks to its faculty. They also host the McGill International Law Society, which helps create connections across borders. 

McGill has a strong international outlook with a score of 76.1. This is even higher than the University of Toronto, which scores at 70.7. This high score reflects the proportion of international staff, students, and collaboration of the school with other organizations. 

You can also look through the complete list of Canadian law schools for a clearer picture of the legal education. 

What makes good law schools in Canada? 

So, the question now is – which of these good law schools in Canada should you pick as a first year? It really depends on your overall goals and present status. Factors that must be considered are: 

Reputation and accreditation 

Good law schools in Canada should be accredited by the Federation of Law Societies of Canada (FLSC). Afterwards, applicants should check the law school’s reputation not just in Canada but also globally. Fortunately, most of Canada’s 24 law schools are reputable. Some are even in the top 100 law schools in the world. 

Reputation, however, is just the jump off point. Law schools are constantly evolving, and even recently established law schools are making their mark in the country. A study of the school’s connections and alumnus should give a clearer picture about their standing in the community. 

Programs 

First year students looking to enroll in the Juris Doctor program can choose from almost all the law schools. However, those who prefer a combined program may limit their options. Each school tends to offer different JD combinations. For example, there are those who offer JD with business administration, economics, or Indigenous law. 

If the goal is to focus on a specific branch of law, then enrolling in a specialized program may be the best course of action. Narrowing the choices even further is the French and English instruction. Specifically, law schools located in Québec only teach in the French language. Some schools in other provinces offer programs in both languages. 

Financials and proximity 

These two are lumped together because Canadian law schools categorize students based on residence. Specifically, domestic students enjoy lower tuition compared to out-of-province and international students. If finances are a concern, choosing a domestic law school is advisable. Many of these schools also have financial assistance programs. 

Of course, proximity also means that students can easily travel back home during breaks, holidays, or in-between classes. For those lucky enough to live within the same city, this can drastically reduce housing costs. 

Admission requirements 

Good law schools in Canada typically have minimum LSAT and GPA requirements. Some schools like the University of Toronto – Faculty of Law have no set requirements. To be competitive though, applicants should have a fairly high LSAT or GPA. This is especially true for law schools with a low admission rate like the Lincoln Alexander School of Law. 

Other requirements include references from academic sources and personal statements. If you’re applying for scholarships or bursaries, additional documentary work may be needed. 

In Québec, LSATs aren’t a requirement. Of course, this can still be submitted and considered by the admission committee during application. To widen your options, however, a high LSAT is often best. Here are some tips on how to prep for an LSAT: 

Student life and accommodations 

Student life balance is a priority in universities today. This creates campuses that serve the non-academic needs of students. For example, there are societies where students from recognized cultural backgrounds can band together and network. Schools also invest heavily in sports centres and extracurricular activities to create well-rounded students. 

If you have any special interests such as debate, swimming, or some other activities – these offerings may be the deciding factor. Many of these schools also welcome students who want to participate in the extracurricular community. In fact, outside interests may tip the scales in favour of students. 

Going beyond ranking 

Ultimately, good law schools in Canada are measured not just by their current ranking. It should also include the “fit” of the school with the student and vice versa. Individual assessments are, therefore, necessary and even encouraged. This is not a decision that can be made overnight – especially for those who have been admitted to multiple schools. 

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Get to know the law schools in Toronto. Discover the best options, and learn about admission requirements for Canadian students pursuing a legal education.