California Western School of Law
General Info
Founded in 1924, California Western School of Law (popularly known as California Western or Cal Western) is a private, non-profit law school located in San Diego, California. The school was accredited by the American Bar Association in 1962 and became a member of the Association of American Law Schools in 1967. It is the oldest law school in San Diego. California Western is home to both the Southern California and Hawaii "Innocence Projects." Its International Law Journal is among the oldest in the nation.
Contact information
- (Website) https://www.californiawestern.edu/
- (Admissions Dean) admissions@cwsl.edu
- (Location) San Diego, CA
Cal Western Law School Admissions
Cal Western Law School is considered a Somewhat Competitive law school, which accepts only 70% of its applicants. Comparatively, Calwestern is Significantly Higher than the average cost for law school.
| Applications | Offers | Matriculated | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class of 2028 | 1725 | 1205 (69.86%) | 248 (14.4%) |
| 25% | Median | 75% | |
| GPA | 2.87 | 3.15 | 3.41 |
| LSAT | 147 | 150 | 153 |
Tuition And Financial Aid
| In-State Resident | Non-Resident | |
|---|---|---|
| Full Time | $47,260 | $47,260 |
| Part Time | $33,060 | $33,060 |
Living Expenses
- Living on-campus: N/A
- Living off-campus: $23,792
- Living at home: $14,272
Important Dates
- Early Decision 1: N/A
- Early Decision 2: N/A
- Regular Decision: 07/01
- Application Fee: N/A
Cal Western Law School Admissions Predictor Tool
Cal Western Law School COMPARISON TOOL
Cal Western Law School
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Cal Western Law School Community
Cal Western Law School is considered to have a Somewhat Favorable student to faculty ratio. The average class size for 1L sections is approximately Above Average compared to other law schools. Student diversity at Calwestern is Average.
Student body
Faculty Statistics
- Full Time: 34
- Part Time: 62
Faculty
- # Female Faculty: 47
- # Minority Faculty: 20
Ratio
18.5 Students
1 Faculty
Housing Options
- On Campus Housing: No
- Graduate Housing: No
- Law Specific Housing: No
Cal Western Law School Curriculum
The size of 1L sections affects the quality and consistency of teaching in law schools. Generally with smaller 1L section sizes, students receive more individualized attention. Cal Western Law School 1L section size is 38% smaller than law schools in California and 34% smaller than all PRIVATE law schools.
1L Section Size Comparison
Positions Available in Advanced Courses
- Simulation Courses: 1522
- Faculty Supervised Clinics: 137
Students Involved in Advanced Activities
- Field Placements: 153
- Law Journals: 117
- Moot Court/Mock Trials: 0
Attrition Rates
- First Year: 26.2%
- Second Year: 0.5%
- Third Year: 0.0%
- Fourth Year: 0.0%
Cal Western Law School Employment
Deciding to attend law school requires a large financial investment with the goal of securing employment upon graduation. The Cal Western Law School class of 2023 had an employment rate of 72% with 3% pursuing an additional degree.
Employment Comparison
In 2023, 98.2%% of students reported their employment status 9-months after graduation.
Type of Employment
- Law Firms: 60.0%
- Business: 17.0%
- Government: 14.0%
- Public Interest: 5.0%
- Academia: 1.0%
- California: 91%
- Hawaii: 1%
- Illinois: 1%
Bar Passage Rates
- Reporting: 98.2%
- First Time Takers: 220
- Average School: 71.8%
- Average State: 66.1%
- Pass Difference: 5.7%
Top Bar Jurisdiction
- California: 66.1%
- Passed: 152 of 213 (71.4%)
- State Average: 66.1%
- Difference: 5.3%