FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The National Jurist and preLaw magazines have ranked the University of Arkansas School of Law No. 16 in the Public Defender/Prosecutor list of its “Best Schools for Public Service.”

The magazine used job placement data (50 percent), school curricula (40 percent) and debt and loan repayment options (10 percent) to compile lists of the top 20 schools for public interest, government and prosecutors/public defenders.

According to preLaw’s Winter 2018 issue, “There are a lot of challenges involved with public-service legal work, including limited resources and lower pay. … But lawyers who go into these jobs are passionate.”

Many students are unable to pursue public service within the legal profession due to financial needs and student debt. However, the University of Arkansas School of Law is committed to providing an excellent legal education while also paying attention to students’ bar passage, job placement, overall cost and debt load so graduates are free to follow their passion.

“Public service is part of this school’s DNA,” said Dean Stacy Leeds. “Our alumni and faculty are leaders in pro bono work, as well as social justice, human rights and legal equity issues. We’re happy to see these priorities reflected in concrete data, and we’re honored to be recognized with others committed to public service in the law.”

Last fall, the National Jurist and preLaw magazines ranked the University of Arkansas School of Law the nation’s seventh “Best Value in Legal Education,” marking its seventh consecutive year in the list’s top 20 and the fifth consecutive year in its top 10.

About University of Arkansas School of Law: The University of Arkansas School of Law prepares students for success through a challenging curriculum taught by nationally recognized faculty, unique service opportunities and a close-knit community that puts students first. With alumni in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, two territories and more than 20 countries, it has been ranked among the top 10 "Best Values in Legal Education" by the National Jurist magazine for five consecutive years and is among the top 42 public law schools, according to U.S. News and World Report.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.