How many law schools are in North Dakota?

There are 1 ABA-accredited law schools in North Dakota. The top schools include University of North Dakota.

What is the North Dakota bar exam pass rate?

The North Dakota bar exam has a first-time pass rate of 89.7% (2024 data), compared to the national average of approximately 79%. This gives North Dakota a bar difficulty rating of 1/5 (Easiest).

What is the average LSAT score for North Dakota law schools?

The average median LSAT score across North Dakota law schools is approximately 151. Top schools like University of North Dakota have median LSAT scores of 151.

What are BigLaw placement rates for North Dakota law schools?

North Dakota law schools place an average of 0.0% of graduates in BigLaw positions (firms with 501+ attorneys, full time and long term). Top schools like University of North Dakota place 0% in BigLaw.

North Dakota Law Schools

Q: What is the legal job market like in North Dakota?

North Dakota's legal market is small but offers opportunities in energy, agriculture, and Native American law. The state's oil boom created significant demand for energy attorneys. Fargo and Bismarck serve as the main legal centers.... The state has a legal market of approximately ~2,000 attorneys.

1 ABA-Accredited Law Schools • ~2,000 attorneys

Law Schools

Legal Market

~2,000 attorneys

First-Time Bar Pass Rate

89.7%

Bar Difficulty

1/5

Easiest

All North Dakota Law Schools

Compare all 1 ABA-accredited law schools in North Dakota. Click column headers to sort.

Table Legend

Bar Pass Rate: First-time bar passage rate (2024)

Tuition: Annual non-resident tuition


University of North Dakota	#156	151	3.48	63%	0%	72.3%	$35K

North Dakota Bar Exam 2024: Pass Rates & Difficulty

Bar exam statistics and difficulty rating for North Dakota law school graduates

First-Time Pass Rate

89.7%

2024 graduates

vs National Average

+10.7%

National avg: 79.0%

Difficulty Rating

1/5

Easiest

Pass Rate Comparison

North Dakota89.7%

State

National Average79.0%

US Avg

10.7% above national average

Understanding Bar Exam Difficulty

Rating 1 (Easiest, 88%+): Very high pass rates indicating easier bar exams or exceptional law school preparation.

Rating 2 (Below Average Difficulty, 83-88%): Above-average pass rates showing moderate difficulty.

Rating 3 (Average Difficulty, 76-83%): Pass rates near national average of ~79%.

Rating 4 (Difficult, 70-76%): Below-average pass rates indicating challenging bar exams.

Rating 5 (Most Difficult, <70%): Significantly below national average. California (68%) and Florida (72%) are notably difficult.

Note: Bar difficulty rating based solely on first-time pass rates from ABA 2024 Bar Passage Statistics. Lower pass rates indicate more challenging bar exams. Individual law school preparation quality also affects outcomes.

North Dakota Legal Market Overview

Employment opportunities and top legal employers in North Dakota

Market Overview

North Dakota's legal market is small but offers opportunities in energy, agriculture, and Native American law. The state's oil boom created significant demand for energy attorneys. Fargo and Bismarck serve as the main legal centers.

Market Size:~2,000 attorneys

Top Legal Employers in North Dakota

Vogel Law Firm

Crowley Fleck

Fredrikson & Byron

Pearce & Durick

Ohnstad Twichell

North Dakota AG Office

Cass County State's Attorney

Commission on Legal Counsel for Indigents

Includes BigLaw firms, government offices, and public interest organizations. Rankings are not ordered by size or prestige.

Career Paths in North Dakota

Private Sector

• BigLaw firms (501+ attorneys)
• Midsize firms (50-100 attorneys)
• Regional and boutique firms
• Solo practice and small firms
• In-house corporate counsel

Public Sector

• Federal clerkships
• State and federal prosecutors
• Public defenders
• Government agencies
• Public interest organizations

Frequently Asked Questions

This is backward-looking data that relies on assumptions. Different outcomes are possible. This is not financial advice.