TALLAHASSEE— U.S. News & World Report rates Florida State University College of Law one of the nation’s top 50 law schools. This reflects a jump of four places in the highly competitive rankings and is the first year Florida State has been ranked in the top 50. 

“We are thrilled to continue to climb in the U.S. News rankings,” said Dean Don Weidner. “And I expect our reputation to continue to increase.” 

The jump in overall rankings is, in part, a result of the school’s higher reputational rankings, both among other academics and among judges and practicing attorneys. The increase also reflects Florida State’s strong student credentials. With a 75th percentile LSAT score of 164 and a 25th percentile LSAT score of 161, the 2010 entering class has the highest LSAT scores in the state. 

U.S. News also ranks Florida State’s environmental law program sixth best in the nation. Florida State is one of only two schools in the Southeast ranked among the top 11 environmental law programs (Tulane University is the other – rated eighth best).