College of Law Up 10 Points in U.S. News & World Report
By Bruno Diaz
As U.S. News & World Report releases its “2026 Best Graduate Schools” rankings, St. Thomas University College of Law is celebrating a 17-point climb over the last three years, and a 10-point climb from 2025. The steady ascent in the rankings is a testament to caliber of STU College of Law graduates, future stewards of the law who lead through service and the application of ethical principles.
STU Law’s mission is to prepare practice-ready professionals grounded in faith and driven by a sense of purpose far beyond the courtroom. The results speak for themselves. In the most recent July 2025 Florida Bar exam, STU Law posted an 87.3% passage rate, the highest in school history, and one of the top three rates in Florida. Additionally, approximately 90% of the Class of 2025 was employed within ten months of graduation, including those pursuing advanced degrees.
Dean Tarlika Nunez-Navarro attributes these outcomes to the college’s intensive programs, designed to place students in real-world scenarios before they sit for the bar. “We start training good habits in our students during the first Orientation, and continue throughout their education with a multitude of targeted programs designed to augment learning and performance. My personal experience is training like an athlete, so we apply that philosophy to a holistic approach for learning. Not just grit, but meditation, prayer, visualization, and a relentless work ethic.”
On their beautiful South Florida campus, the new College of Law’s Transactional Law Team prepares students to become practice-ready business lawyers through immersive, competition-based training. Students gain hands-on experience drafting and negotiating complex commercial agreements while representing clients in high-stakes transactional scenarios. Team members develop the ability to structure deals, translate business objectives into precise contractual language, and advocate effectively in negotiation. The STU Transactional Law Team emphasizes professionalism, strategic thinking, and the practical skills required for modern transactional practice.
Beyond STU’s campus, the Spring Break State Attorney’s Office program serves students who aspire to careers in public service, guiding them through the various ways one can positively impact the community. The collaboration features a five-day experience of meeting, analyzing, and working among high-ranking professionals across specialized units like the Coroner’s Office, Drug Courts, Crime Centers, and Victim Advocates.
Now the largest College of Law in Florida for traditional J.D. enrollment, STU Law’s competitive teams have continued to make strides on the national stage. The Trial Team claimed first place at the 2026 Online National Championship and advanced to the National Finals in Dallas after winning Regional 6 while the Moot Court Team currently holds a #16 national ranking per the Blakely Advocacy Institute and recently earned finalist honors and Best Petitioner Brief at the 2026 John J. Gibbons National Criminal Procedure Competition.
With rising rankings, record-setting outcomes, and national competitive success, St. Thomas University College of Law is continuing their unmistakable momentum. More importantly, it is shaping graduates who are ready to lead with skill, conviction, and a deep commitment to justice. This is the result of a mission-driven legal education that produces skilled, ethical, practice-ready advocates prepared to lead in the courtroom and beyond. With historic bar passage, strong employment outcomes, and national recognition in advocacy, the College of Law is not only gaining ground, but setting a higher standard for legal education in Florida.