Catholic University’s Columbus School of Law has reached a new best-ever ranking of #70 in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings, continuing its steady upward trajectory.

This milestone builds on last year’s 23-place rise to #71—one of the largest jumps in legal education—and reflects a sustained period of growth and momentum.

The Law School has remained steadfast in its focus on academic excellence and student outcomes, while embracing its distinctive Catholic mission and collegial, supportive culture in the nation’s capital.

“We knew that the increased focus by U.S. News on student outcomes would continue to benefit our ranking because our graduates perform exceptionally well on the bar exam and in the job market,” said Stephen C. Payne, Dean and Knights of Columbus Professor of Law. “We have also continued to improve the qualification metrics of our incoming classes, while at the same time growing enrollment and hiring faculty to maintain a low student-to-faculty ratio.”

Looking ahead, outcomes for the Class of 2025 are even stronger than those reflected in the current rankings, with first-time bar passage exceeding 90% and top-quality job-placement exceeding 95%, positioning the school well for continued gains.

Those results are no accident, but the result of a long-standing commitment to teaching and formation.

"Our school has always emphasized the highest-quality teaching and practice-based training,” Dean Payne added. “At the same time, our faculty have elevated our research and publication profile.”

As the school builds on this momentum, it remains dedicated to delivering a first-rate legal education—grounded in its distinctive tradition, strengthened by its location in the nation’s capital, and committed to service in the profession and beyond.