If you’re excited about combining your love for law and entertainment, picking the right law school is key to kickstarting your career. To help you make the best choice, we’ve put together a list of the top 15 law schools with great programs and opportunities for future entertainment lawyers.These schools offer courses that cover the legal aspects of the entertainment industry, including music, film, television, and sports. They also have strong connections with the industry, giving you a chance to network with professionals and gain hands-on experience through internships and clinics. For example, some schools are located in major entertainment hubs like Los Angeles and New York City, which can provide unique opportunities for internships and job placements. Others might offer specialized programs or centers dedicated to entertainment law, where you can dive deep into topics like intellectual property, media law, and contract negotiation. Here are the Top 15 Best Entertainment Law Schools in 2024. Best Entertainment Law Schools listing includes details like GPA requirements, median LSAT score, acceptance rates, admission requirements, and salary information. We also cover professional outcomes and academic highlights for each college.
Top 15 Best Entertainment Law Schools
1. University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Law
GPA Requirement: 3.7
Median LSAT: 169
Acceptance Rate: 22%
Admission Requirements: High GPA, strong LSAT scores, personal statement, recommendations.
Salary: Average starting salary is $180,000.
Professional Outcomes: UCLA graduates often work in entertainment law firms, studios, or talent agencies, especially in Hollywood. Many become legal advisors for movie and music production companies.
Academic Highlights: UCLA has a strong entertainment law program with courses in copyright, music law, and film financing. The school’s Ziffren Institute for Media, Entertainment, Technology, and Sports Law offers specialized training and networking opportunities.
2. University of Southern California (USC) Gould School of Law
GPA Requirement: 3.7
Median LSAT: 168
Acceptance Rate: 19%
Admission Requirements: High GPA, strong LSAT scores, personal statement, recommendations.
Salary: Average starting salary is $180,000.
Professional Outcomes: USC graduates often work in law firms, studios, or as in-house counsel for entertainment companies. Many also work in the music and sports industries, negotiating contracts and handling intellectual property.
Academic Highlights: USC offers a specialized certificate in entertainment law, with courses on media law, entertainment contracts, and intellectual property. The school’s close ties to the entertainment industry provide students with valuable internship opportunities.
3. New York University (NYU) School of Law
GPA Requirement: 3.8
Median LSAT: 172
Acceptance Rate: 21%
Admission Requirements: High GPA, strong LSAT scores, personal statement, recommendations.
Salary: Average starting salary is $190,000.
Professional Outcomes: NYU graduates often work in top law firms or as legal advisors in New York’s thriving entertainment industry. Many focus on media law, representing clients in television, publishing, and music.
Academic Highlights: NYU offers a comprehensive entertainment law curriculum, with courses on copyright law, media regulation, and digital media law. The school’s proximity to major media companies provides students with excellent networking and internship opportunities.
4. Columbia Law School
GPA Requirement: 3.8
Median LSAT: 172
Acceptance Rate: 17%
Admission Requirements: High GPA, strong LSAT scores, essays, recommendations.
Salary: Average starting salary is $190,000.
Professional Outcomes: Columbia graduates often work in prestigious law firms, entertainment companies, or media organizations. Many become legal advisors for film studios or publishing houses.
Academic Highlights: Columbia offers specialized courses in entertainment law, focusing on intellectual property, media law, and digital rights. The school’s location in New York City provides students with access to leading entertainment law firms and media companies.
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5. Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law
GPA Requirement: 3.6
Median LSAT: 162
Acceptance Rate: 35%
Admission Requirements: Moderate GPA, strong LSAT scores, personal statement, recommendations.
Salary: Average starting salary is $150,000.
Professional Outcomes: Pepperdine graduates often work in entertainment law firms, television networks, or as legal advisors in the film industry. Many find opportunities in Los Angeles, close to Hollywood.
Academic Highlights: Pepperdine offers a strong program in entertainment law, with courses on copyright, media law, and film financing. The school’s Institute for Entertainment, Media, Sports, and Culture provides students with practical experience and industry connections.
6. Southwestern Law School
GPA Requirement: 3.3
Median LSAT: 156
Acceptance Rate: 47%
Admission Requirements: Moderate GPA, good LSAT scores, personal statement, recommendations.
Salary: Average starting salary is $130,000.
Professional Outcomes: Southwestern graduates often work in entertainment law firms, talent agencies, or as in-house counsel for media companies. Many also work in music law, representing artists and producers.
Academic Highlights: Southwestern has a dedicated Entertainment and Media Law Program, offering courses in entertainment contracts, copyright law, and media law. The school’s location in Los Angeles provides students with unique internship opportunities in the entertainment industry.
7. Vanderbilt University Law School
GPA Requirement: 3.7
Median LSAT: 167
Acceptance Rate: 23%
Admission Requirements: High GPA, strong LSAT scores, essays, recommendations.
Salary: Average starting salary is $180,000.
Professional Outcomes: Vanderbilt graduates often work in entertainment law firms, music companies, or media organizations. Many find opportunities in Nashville, known for its music industry.
Academic Highlights: Vanderbilt offers a variety of courses in entertainment law, with a focus on music law and intellectual property. The school’s Music City Legal Practice Program provides students with hands-on experience in the music industry.
8. Fordham University School of Law
GPA Requirement: 3.6
Median LSAT: 166
Acceptance Rate: 27%
Admission Requirements: Good GPA, strong LSAT scores, personal statement, recommendations.
Salary: Average starting salary is $170,000.
Professional Outcomes: Fordham graduates often work in entertainment law firms or as legal advisors in New York’s media and entertainment industry. Many also work in publishing and television.
Academic Highlights: Fordham offers specialized courses in entertainment law, including media law, sports law, and intellectual property. The school’s location in New York City provides students with excellent networking opportunities in the entertainment industry.
9. Chapman University Fowler School of Law
GPA Requirement: 3.4
Median LSAT: 158
Acceptance Rate: 38%
Admission Requirements: Moderate GPA, good LSAT scores, personal statement, recommendations.
Salary: Average starting salary is $130,000.
Professional Outcomes: Chapman graduates often work in entertainment law firms, studios, or as in-house counsel for media companies. Many find opportunities in Orange County and Los Angeles.
Academic Highlights: Chapman offers a robust entertainment law program, with courses in intellectual property, media law, and film financing. The school’s location near Hollywood provides students with access to internships and networking events in the entertainment industry.
10. University of Miami School of Law
GPA Requirement: 3.5
Median LSAT: 159
Acceptance Rate: 34%
Admission Requirements: Moderate GPA, good LSAT scores, personal statement, recommendations.
Salary: Average starting salary is $140,000.
Professional Outcomes: Miami graduates often work in entertainment law firms, music companies, or as legal advisors in the Latin American media market. Many also work in sports law, representing athletes and teams.
Academic Highlights: Miami offers a strong program in entertainment law, with courses in media law, music law, and sports law. The school’s location in a major media market provides students with unique internship and networking opportunities.
11. University of California, Hastings College of the Law
GPA Requirement: 3.4
Median LSAT: 159
Acceptance Rate: 35%
Admission Requirements: Moderate GPA, good LSAT scores, personal statement, recommendations.
Salary: Average starting salary is $140,000.
Professional Outcomes: Hastings graduates often work in entertainment law firms, tech companies, or media organizations. Many also work in intellectual property law, representing clients in the film and music industries.
Academic Highlights: Hastings offers a comprehensive entertainment law program, with courses in copyright law, media law, and technology law. The school’s location in San Francisco provides students with access to the tech and entertainment industries.
12. University of California, Berkeley, School of Law
GPA Requirement: 3.8
Median LSAT: 169
Acceptance Rate: 22%
Admission Requirements: High GPA, strong LSAT scores, essays, recommendations.
Salary: Average starting salary is $190,000.
Professional Outcomes: Berkeley graduates often work in top law firms, tech companies, or as legal advisors in the entertainment industry. Many focus on intellectual property, representing clients in the film, music, and tech sectors.
Academic Highlights: Berkeley offers specialized courses in entertainment law, focusing on intellectual property, media law, and technology law. The school’s close ties to Silicon Valley provide students with excellent networking and internship opportunities.
13. Loyola Law School, Los Angeles
GPA Requirement: 3.5
Median LSAT: 160
Acceptance Rate: 36%
Admission Requirements: Moderate GPA, good LSAT scores, personal statement, recommendations.
Salary: Average starting salary is $140,000.
Professional Outcomes: Loyola graduates often work in entertainment law firms, studios, or as in-house counsel for media companies. Many also work in music law, representing artists and producers.
Academic Highlights: Loyola offers a strong entertainment law program, with courses in copyright law, media law, and entertainment contracts. The school’s location in Los Angeles provides students with valuable internship opportunities in the entertainment industry.
14. University of Georgia School of Law
GPA Requirement: 3.6
Median LSAT: 162
Acceptance Rate: 28%
Admission Requirements: Good GPA, strong LSAT scores, personal statement, recommendations.
Salary: Average starting salary is $150,000.
Professional Outcomes: Georgia Law graduates often work in entertainment law firms, music companies, or as legal advisors in the film industry. Many also work in sports law, representing athletes and teams.
Academic Highlights: Georgia Law offers a variety of courses in entertainment law, with a focus on music law and intellectual property. The school’s location in a growing media market provides students with unique internship and networking opportunities.
15. Cardozo School of Law, Yeshiva University
GPA Requirement: 3.5
Median LSAT: 161
Acceptance Rate: 35%
Admission Requirements: Moderate GPA, good LSAT scores, personal statement, recommendations.
Salary: Average starting salary is $140,000.
Professional Outcomes: Cardozo graduates often work in entertainment law firms, music companies, or as legal advisors in New York’s media and entertainment industry. Many also work in intellectual property, representing clients in the film, music, and tech sectors.
Academic Highlights: Cardozo offers specialized courses in entertainment law, focusing on media law, copyright, and digital rights. The school’s location in New York City provides students with excellent networking and internship opportunities.
Best Entertainment Law Schools – Conclusion
Choosing the right law school is crucial for launching a successful career in entertainment law. Each of the schools highlighted in this article offers unique advantages, from prime locations in entertainment hubs to specialized programs and extensive practical experience opportunities. Whether it’s UCLA’s connections in Los Angeles, Harvard’s comprehensive legal education, or Pepperdine’s strong focus on entertainment law, these top 15 law schools provide the knowledge, skills, and networks needed to thrive in the dynamic field of entertainment law.
By selecting a program that aligns with your career goals and taking advantage of the resources and opportunities available, you can position yourself at the forefront of the entertainment industry. With dedication and the right education, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate the legal challenges of this exciting and evolving field.