Overview
Established in 1973, the William S. Richardson School of Law is named after the former Chief Justice of the Hawaii Supreme Court whose progressive jurisprudence shaped land rights and native Hawaiian legal traditions. As the only law school in the state, it holds a unique position in training Hawaii's legal professionals, judges, and public officials. The school has built a strong national reputation for its Pacific-Asian Legal Studies Program, environmental law offerings, and its pioneering Ka Huli Ao Center for Excellence in Native Hawaiian Law.
At a Glance
| Type | Public |
| Location | Honolulu, Hawaii |
| Founded | 1973 |
| Total students | 350 |
| Student–faculty ratio | 9:1 |
| Acceptance rate | 45% |
| Graduation rate | 88% |
| Average starting salary | $65,000 |
Tuition & Costs (estimates)
| In-state tuition | $24,000 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $41,000 |
| Room & board | $15,000 |
| Average financial aid | $18,000 |
| Students receiving aid | 80% |
Admissions
| SAT range | N/A |
| ACT range | N/A |
| Average GPA | 3.50 |
| Regular deadline | March 1 |
Top Programs
- Pacific-Asian Legal Studies
- Native Hawaiian Law
- Environmental Law
- Ocean and Coastal Law
- Clinical Legal Education
Figures are estimates for exploration — verify current costs, deadlines, and requirements on the university's official website.