The Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University welcomed nearly 230 new law students, its largest incoming class in recent memory, during the week of August 17. This impressive 2026 1L and 1E class was the result of the most rigorous selection process in the Law School’s 115-year history.
Each person in this class brings unique perspectives, experiences, and ambitions to the Duquesne Kline School of Law community. The 1L students are from 104 academic institutions and hold varied degrees, including political science, history, English, criminal justice, government, and communications. 34 of these law students have business and finance degrees, and 17 have STEM degrees. Collectively they speak twelve different languages, and two students hold international law degrees – one from China and one from Ukraine. Nine students have served in the military, five in the Army, two in the Air Force, and two in the Marine Corps.
40% of the class has completed one or more years of post-college professional work. Those jobs include human resources professionals, teachers, scientists and engineers, sales managers, and digital marketing and social media managers. 37 students are paralegals, legal assistants, or work for the courts, while eight are financial analysts or management consultants. Two students have worked for AmeriCorps on food and housing security issues.
The newest students in the 2026 class range in age from 20 to 47 years old, with 52% of the class comprised of women. 75% of this class are first generation law students. 33% of the class is from out of the state of Pennsylvania, representing 28 other states. Their personal achievements are numerous, such as ballet, glass blowing, rock climbing, scuba diving, beekeeping, marathon racing, and skiing.
The 2026 incoming class achieved a high median LSAT score of 159, an increase from last year’s median LSAT score of 157. Their median GPA was an equally impressive 3.61.
“I look forward to sharing this journey with our newest students at Duquesne Kline School of Law. This is an exceptional class, bringing together remarkable talents, rich life experiences, maturity, and character. I am proud to welcome them to our law school and delighted they have joined us,” said April Barton, Dean of Duquesne Kline School of Law.
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