The University of Kentucky College of Law can trace its roots all the way back to 1799, when Transylvania University established a law department. The law school is also home to the country's first trial practice program. Kentucky Law remains a state powerhouse, and a good choice to earn a JD if you want to practice in a Kentucky law firm. Academically, Kentucky Law is business-oriented in its course offerings, but also offers a joint JD/MBA, JD/MPA and JD/MA in diplomacy and international commerce.

After the first year of foundation law courses, the school has no formal concentration program. The absence of upper-level requirements gives students the freedom to take courses in a variety of specialty law areas. These course subjects are mostly in the usual topics--tax law and health law, for example--but Kentucky Law also offers a slew of classes in equine law.

In 2007, the school revised its grade curve, raising it from a B- median to a B, after complaints from students that their job prospects were being affected. The career development office has programs in different major cities--Atlanta, Nashville and Washington, D.C.--but the majority of graduate stick around the state. According to Vault's surveys, students take advantage of the resources of the large state university and a medium-sized city, both academically and socially.