Overview
Founded in 1878 as the first law department of the University of California, Hastings College of the Law is the oldest law school in California and one of the oldest in the western United States. It was established through an endowment from Serranus Clinton Hastings, the first Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court, and operates as an independent, freestanding law school affiliated with the University of California system rather than as part of a general campus like UC Berkeley or UCLA. The school has built a strong reputation for producing accomplished litigators, judges, and public interest lawyers, and is well known for its distinguished faculty and rigorous first-year curriculum. In 2021 the school completed a formal name change, dropping the Hastings name amid controversy over its founder's historical role in violence against Native Americans, becoming UC College of the Law, San Francisco (UC Law SF).
At a Glance
| Type | Public |
| Location | San Francisco, California |
| Founded | 1878 |
| Total students | 1,100 |
| Student–faculty ratio | 8:1 |
| Acceptance rate | 42% |
| Graduation rate | 90% |
| Average starting salary | $95,000 |
Tuition & Costs (estimates)
| In-state tuition | $56,000 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $59,000 |
| Room & board | $20,000 |
| Average financial aid | $25,000 |
| Students receiving aid | 80% |
Admissions
| SAT range | N/A |
| ACT range | N/A |
| Average GPA | 3.55 |
| Regular deadline | March 1 |
Top Programs
- Litigation
- International Law
- Public Interest Law
- Intellectual Property Law
- Criminal Law
Figures are estimates for exploration — verify current costs, deadlines, and requirements on the university's official website.