SMALL SIZE, BIG OPPORTUNITY
Each student at ONU Law is a valued member of our tight-knit community, enjoying individual attention and small class sizes. They also benefit from unrivaled access to professional networks, experiential learning and life-changing opportunities.
ONU LAW AT A GLANCE
One of five colleges at Ohio Northern University, the Pettit College of Law enjoys a rich history and distinguished academic reputation.
-
2nd Oldest law school in Ohio
-
188 Students representing 95 undergraduate institutions
-
20 Full-time law faculty
-
5,423 Living Alumni
-
Founded in 1885, ONU Law is the second oldest of nine Ohio law schools. Throughout our long history, we’ve been affiliated with the United Methodist Church and have embraced church-related values. We welcome persons of all faiths to our community and provide a supportive environment for moral and spiritual growth.
-
ONU Law's mission is to provide an education that will allow students to become competent, ethical, and professional practitioners able to apply their skills and talents across a range of practice environments. The educational program is designed to provide students with a substantial opportunity to regularly interact with faculty, to gain professional skills, and to research a topic of personal interest within a critical yet collegial environment.
-
ONU Law has been fully accredited by the American Bar Association since 1948 and a member of the Association of American Law Schools since 1965. Fully accredited law schools are subject to comprehensive periodic site visits every ten years. Questions regarding accreditation may be directed to the Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar, American Bar Association, 321 North Clark Street, 21st Floor, Chicago, IL 60654, 312-988-6738.
-
At ONU Law, we define our value by our community--professors are mentors, upperclassmen are coaches, and classmates are cheerleaders for each other. When students graduate, they become part of a dedicated and loyal ONU Law alumni network that spans all 50 states and abroad.
-
Our innovative curriculum emphasizes practical training, academic support, and bar exam preparation. As a result, our students experience incredible success on the bar exam, oftentimes ranking in the top three in the state for first-time pass rates and securing rates consistently above the national averages. We also pack a mighty punch when it comes to job placement, again placing above both state and national averages.
“ONU Law allowed me to get a high-quality education in an environment that made me feel at home. Knowing my professors and colleagues are supporting and encouraging me every step of the way makes all the difference."Hannah Sylvester, law student
Discover Quality of Life
ONU Law offers a quality of life not found at most larger universities. Discover peace and quiet, professors and classmates who know you by name, a safe campus, low cost of living, and a village that’s centrally located to Ohio’s major cities.
A Message from the Dean
ONU Law is a place where students, world-class faculty and staff work together to create a phenomenal learning experience. Here, you can create your professional identity, develop your legal acumen and discover your future – all in a place that feels like home.
There is transformative magic in the process of becoming a lawyer. The administrative staff, faculty and leadership team of ONU Law are here for you in every step of your journey from law student to practicing member of the legal profession.
I invite you to explore the rest of our website and visit our campus if you haven't already. We would love to greet you personally.
Meet ONU Law Administration and Faculty
Recognition of Excellence
ONU Law has been most recently recognized for our outstanding bar passage rates and for being the most affordable private law school in the Great Lakes Region.
-
83% Two-Year Ultimate Bar Passage Rate
-
12:1 Student-to-faculty ratio, one of the lowest in the nation
-
NO. 1 in Ohio for “Trial Advocacy” according to U.S. News and World Report (2025))
-
No. 24 Best Law Schools - Princeton Review
HERE’S WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING
ONU Law has been lauded for providing law students with incredible value
Lowest private law school tuition in the Great Lakes Region
Ranked one of the lowest on the list for total debt upon graduation among private law schools – Law School Transparency
ONU Law is ranked NO. 1 in Trial Advocacy in Ohio for second consecutive year and NO. 24 in the country by U.S. News & World Report (2025)
Ranked among Best Law Schools for Practical Training by preLaw Magazine (2024 - 2025)
Designated among Best Law Schools in the 2023 edition of the Princeton Review - coming in at NO. 24
For the first time ever - The National Jurist’s PreLaw Magazine ranked ONU Law NO. 17 in
the nation for practical training and NO. 1 for clinical offerings based on our size and student involvement (2023)
Named a "Best Value Law School" by PreLaw magazine (2021), meaning graduates have excellent chances of passing the bar exam and getting a legal job without taking on large amounts of debt
One of the “Best Schools for Public Service,” specifically in the government category - PreLaw magazine (2020)
NO. 8 in the nation, “Most Competitive Students” - The Princeton Review (2019)
“Military Friendly School” by G.I. Jobs magazine, placing us among the top 15% of schools that are doing the most to embrace military students and ensure their success on campus
Promoting scholarship through endowed lectures
Every year ONU Law welcomes to campus some of the best legal minds in the country to share insights into the legal issues and challenges of our times. Our four endowed lecture series, made possible by generous donations from alumni and friends, enhances our intellectual environment and leads to lively debate and discussions among students, faculty and guests.
Center for Democratic Governance and Rule of Law
ONU Law is committed to promoting democratic governance and rule of law throughout the world. We established a campus-based center in 2014 to achieve that end. Not just a research institution, the center and its people are engaged directly in rule of law development projects across the globe.News
ONU Law Ranked No. 1 in Ohio and No. 24 Nationally for Trial Advocacy by U.S. News & World Report
Ohio Northern University’s Pettit College of Law continues its tradition of excellence in Trial Advocacy, earning the No.
Learn More
ONU Law Again Ranked Among the Best for Hands-On Legal Education
Ohio Northern University’s Claude W.
Learn More
ONU Law professor co-edits book on Arbitration
Congratulations to ONU Law professor Richard Bales, co-editor and contributor to “The Federal Arbitration Act: Successes, Failures,
Learn More
ONU Law online student receives national recognition
Ohio Northern University Pettit College of Law online student Felida Villarreal is already making a name
Learn More
ONU Law alumnus John O. Costine turns 100
Meet Ohio Northern University’s centenarian! John O.
Learn More
ONU Law embraces growing appeal of online and part-time education
Students are increasingly opting for online and part-time education.
Learn More
Law Professor Beau Baez publishes book focused on student success
Congratulations to ONU Law Professor Beau Baez on the release of his new book entitled Law School Success: Advice from a La
Learn More
Helix Bar Review anticipated to be a game-changer for ONU Law students
Ohio Northern University’s Pettit College of Law is making bar prep more accessible to third-year law students by partnering with no
Learn More
ONU Pettit College of Law approved to launch fully online juris doctor program
The Ohio Northern University Pettit College of Law has received approval from the American Bar Association (ABA) to begin offering o
Learn More