Written by: WSCL Marketing Team
Western State College of Law, the oldest law school in Orange County and one of the most affordable in California, has once again been recognized by National Jurist preLaw magazine. This year, Western State was named one of the nation’s top law schools for both Business Law and Criminal Law. These are two fields where our students, faculty, and alumni continue to make a significant impact.
This honor adds to a growing list of recent accomplishments. preLaw also named Western State one of the most diverse law schools of 2025. The magazine ranked us fourth in the nation for improved employment outcomes; 93.4% of the Class of 2024 secured jobs. Western State also achieved the highest first-time taker bar pass rate in California. In February 2025, 88.2% of our graduates passed the bar exam.
Excellence in Business Law and Criminal Law
Western State’s Business Law program provides a comprehensive education in contracts, business organizations, taxation, and more. Students gain valuable experience through our clinics, as well as externships with firms, companies, and nonprofits. Many of our alumni have gone on to successful careers in business law. They often like to give back to Western State by serving as mentors to our students. Student groups like the Business Law Society help students build connections in the field.
Western State’s Criminal Law program gives students practical training on top of classroom learning. They gain real experience as legal advocates from our Criminal Defense Clinic, externships, and mock trial competitions. We also have student organizations like the Criminal Law Association, where students can build connections. These experiences prepare our graduates for success as they enter the legal profession.
Building Momentum for the Future
This recognition comes at a pivotal moment for Western State as we prepare to move into our new, state-of-the-art Tustin campus. Our students will get to learn in modern classrooms with updated technology and collaborative spaces where they can study.
“Western State has always been committed to combining academic rigor with practical training,” said Dean Marisa Cianciarulo. “These national recognitions across diversity, employment outcomes, bar passage, and now our Business and Criminal Law programs, reflect the strength of our community and the success of our graduates.”
Leading the Way in Legal Education
Western State’s recognition by preLaw in both Business and Criminal Law programs, along with our recent honors for diversity, is a reflection of the strength of our programs and the impact of our graduates. We have dedicated faculty, a wide range of courses, active student organizations, and a strong alumni network. Together, these strengths prepare the next generation of lawyers to thrive in today’s most dynamic areas of law.
As we continue building momentum with our strong bar pass rates, improved employment outcomes, and our upcoming move to a new campus, this honor strengthens our goal to provide students with an affordable, high-quality legal education that prepares them to thrive.