NKU Chase College of Law continues to rise in U.S. News rankings

April 13, 2026 — Northern Kentucky University’s Salmon P. Chase College of Law has once again moved up in the latest U.S. News and World Report Best Law School rankings, marking the fifth consecutive year the college has improved its national standing.

Chase is ranked No. 131 in the 2026 rankings, up from No. 134 last year. Since 2021, the college has climbed 30 places overall, reflecting steady gains across key performance measures.

“Our continued progress in the rankings reflects the consistent work of our students, faculty and staff,” said Judith Daar, Dean of the Chase College of Law. “It speaks to a shared commitment to student success and to strengthening the impact of a Chase legal education.”

U.S. News evaluates hundreds of law schools nationwide based on factors including bar passage rates, employment outcomes and admissions selectivity. Chase’s continued rise is driven in part by strong student performance in the classroom, on the bar exam and in post-graduate employment.

“The momentum we’re seeing at Chase is rooted in strong outcomes for our students, from the classroom to the bar exam and into their careers,” said NKU President Dr. Cady Short-Thompson. “That kind of sustained progress speaks to the quality of the experience we’re delivering and the value of an NKU legal education.”

Chase College of Law has focused on enhancing student outcomes through academic support, experiential learning opportunities and career preparation which are all efforts that continue to contribute to improved performance metrics recognized in the rankings.