FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ave Maria School of Law today emphasized its continued focus on student formation, academic excellence, and real-world impact as the latest U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools rankings were released. In the 2026 rankings, Ave Maria School of Law is ranked No. 164 and continues to compete within a broad and highly competitive national field. This year’s rankings reflect significant movement across legal education, with many schools experiencing notable gains and declines due to shifts in underlying data and methodology.

“Our mission at Ave Maria School of Law is clear: to form lawyers grounded in faith and reason,” said Dean and CEO John M. Czarnetzky. “We measure success not only by rankings, but by the caliber of our graduates, the strength of our academic programs, and the real-world impact of our work.”

The School continues to demonstrate national strength through the Rodney L. Smith Business Law Institute, whose fellows recently earned first place overall and Best Overall Written Submission at the American Bar Association Law Student Tax Challenge. The Institute’s success reflects Ave Maria Law’s commitment to rigorous academic training paired with practical application.

Students also gain hands-on experience through the School’s clinical programs, including the Veterans and Servicemembers Law Clinic, where they assist real clients and contribute to meaningful legal advocacy. Building on this foundation, Ave Maria School of Law is preparing to launch a new immigration clinic, further expanding opportunities for students to serve and engage the law in practice.

These initiatives, along with continued development in key academic areas, reflect the School’s commitment to preparing graduates who are not only skilled practitioners, but principled leaders dedicated to serving their communities and advancing justice.

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