The College of Law continues to demonstrate its commitment to student success with recent bar exam passage rates. Among all jurisdictions, 86% of recent graduates—those who earned their degrees between 2022 and 2024—successfully passed the bar exam in the February or July 2024 administration. In Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) jurisdictions, which covers 41 states, the pass rate for the same cohort was an impressive 88%. These results also reflect a 163% increase in bar success among those students most at risk on the bar exam, which was achieved through individualized, data-driven support strategies.
The College of Law saw 86% of recent graduates—those who earned their degrees between 2022 and 2024—successfully pass the bar exam in the February or July 2024 administration.
These results highlight the effectiveness of Syracuse Law’s strategic investments in bar preparation and academic support. “Our targeted initiatives are making a significant impact on student outcomes,” says Associate Dean of Students Kelly Curtis. “By strengthening academic support and bar preparation programs, we ensure our graduates have the best possible chance of success on the bar exam and in their legal careers.”
Over the past several years, the College has implemented key initiatives that position grads for the rigors of the exam and their legal careers. These include:
The results speak for themselves: This marks a 15-year high for first-time bar takers. In February 2024, Syracuse Law was ranked No. 8 for ultimate bar passage and No. 27 for first-time bar test takers by preLaw Magazine in its Winter 2024 edition. Additionally, for seven of the past eight graduating classes, the College’s ultimate bar passage rate exceeded 90%, demonstrating consistent, long-term success.
Building on this momentum, Syracuse Law has partnered with Kaplan Bar Review to further enhance student readiness. “At Syracuse Law, we are dedicated to equipping our students with the tools they need to excel academically and professionally,” says Dean Terence Lau L’98. “The partnership with Kaplan strengthens Dean Curtis’s comprehensive approach to bar preparation, ensuring that students receive structured support throughout their law school journey, culminating in a robust bar review program to set them up for success.” This partnership provides expanded resources and preparation strategies, ensuring even greater success for future graduates.
Looking ahead, Syracuse Law is proactively preparing for the NextGen Bar Exam, which launches in July 2026. Faculty and administrators are actively working with students to adapt to this new era of attorney licensure, ensuring that Syracuse graduates remain well-prepared.
Syracuse Law’s commitment to student success is evident not only in its strong bar passage rates but also in its forward-thinking approach to legal education. By continually enhancing programming and investing in student success, Syracuse Law is setting the standard for bar exam preparation and legal education excellence.
