The 20 Best Universities in Argentina to Study Law in 2026

Preliminary Note: Ranking Methodology

The preparation of this ranking has been based on a combined analysis of different aspects that help us better understand each university and the education it provides. We have examined their curricula, the structure of their programmes and the way each institution organises teaching, paying particular attention to the quality and up-to-date nature of the content, as well as its connection to students’ needs and the challenges facing society.

We have also taken into account the teaching methods, resources and facilities available at each university. These elements help shape the environment in which academic life takes place and can directly influence students’ experiences. In addition, we have reviewed information published on the institutions’ own websites, their news and their presence in the media, as complementary ways to understand their initiatives, development and the image they project.

The analysis has been complemented by exploratory consultations conducted on a random basis among young people and students. The aim was to understand how they perceive the education they receive and what they think of the university they attend. These impressions offer a perspective rooted in students’ everyday experiences and complement the examination of institutional information. We have also considered, as supplementary material, assessments and references produced by other institutions and specialised organisations, without allowing them to replace our own analysis.

The competitiveness of universities and their ability to respond to current academic and professional demands also form part of the assessment. However, we believe that the quality of an institution cannot be measured solely by its market position, resources or international profile. We have therefore chosen to pay particular attention to the human dimension: honesty, a humanistic approach to education, ethics, learning and the transmission of values.

In our view, a university fully fulfils its purpose when, in addition to preparing students for professional practice, it contributes to their personal and civic development. Academic excellence is inseparable from responsibility, respect, critical thinking and the ability to act with integrity. With this approach, the ranking seeks to offer a broad view of universities, considering both the strength of their educational offering and the principles that guide the education they provide.

The University of Buenos Aires leads the ranking compiled by Impact Lawyers, followed by Universidad Austral and Universidad Torcuato Di Tella.

Editorial approach

The University of Buenos Aires tops the first edition of the Impact Lawyers ranking of the best universities in Argentina to study Law. Universidad Austral and Universidad Torcuato Di Tella take second and third place, respectively, while the Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina, the National University of Córdoba and the National University of La Plata complete the top six.

In preparing this ranking for 2026, Impact Lawyers adopted an editorial approach that considers the academic standing, educational models, and institutional profiles of law faculties across Argentina.

This editorial selection is supplemented by a qualitative review of the public information made available by the universities themselves. Their degree programmes, curricula, teaching methods, legal clinics, areas of specialisation, research activity, international opportunities and connections with the legal profession were examined.

This qualitative perspective provides insight not only into each law school's institutional profile, but also into its approach to legal education: the kind of legal professional it aims to produce, the importance it attaches to legal reasoning and practical training, its response to technological and social change, and the extent to which it connects academic education with professional practice.

Complementary perspectives on legal education

Evaluating university performance involves examining distinct facets of legal education. Rather than focusing on a single dimension, this editorial selection reflects diverse academic approaches to provide a balanced overview.

An essential perspective specifically focused on Law and Legal Studies considers academic reputation, standing among employers, research citations, and the impact of scholarly production.

A broader institutional and subject-based perspective considers factors such as teaching, the research environment, research quality, international outlook, and links with industry and other organisations.

A focus on scientific production, research impact, innovation and social visibility provides another essential dimension. This perspective helps highlight Argentine institutions that distinguish themselves through scholarly output, regional contributions and active engagement with society.

This editorial approach prevents the selection from depending exclusively on a single definition of excellence. One university may stand out for its international academic reputation, another for the quality and influence of its research, and another for its teaching model, professional networks or geographical importance.

The Impact Lawyers methodology

Unlike jurisdictions such as the United States or the United Kingdom, legal education in Argentina is characterized by diverse institutional models and academic traditions that do not follow a single, standardized framework across all twenty institutions featured in this selection. In addition, institutions differ significantly in scope, mission, and regional focus, reflecting varied educational profiles rather than uniform comparative indicators.

For this reason, this selection reflects an editorial evaluation that considers the specific features of each academic institution. Accordingly, the Impact Lawyers ranking focuses on five key areas:

• International and national academic reputation.
• Legal research, publications and scholarly impact.
• Quality, breadth and methodology of the Law programme.
• Employability, professional connections and alumni networks.
• Accessibility, geographical reach and international opportunities.

Particular attention is given to academic reputation and the quality of legal education. Research performance, graduate employability and links with courts, law firms, companies and public institutions are also taken into account.

This selection is supported by an editorial review of the programmes and educational models of the universities included. This qualitative approach focuses directly on legal education, avoiding equating general institutional visibility with the specific quality of a law school.

Among the elements examined were the structure and flexibility of the Law degree; the balance between compulsory and elective subjects; the teaching of constitutional, civil, criminal, commercial, administrative, labour and international law; clinical and experiential learning; internships; interdisciplinary education; postgraduate opportunities; research centres; international exchanges; and the incorporation of technology and artificial intelligence into legal training.

The educational philosophy of each institution was also considered. In this context, “philosophy” refers to the model of lawyer or legal professional that each university seeks to educate and does not constitute an assessment of its political or ideological orientation.

UBA, the leading institution

1. University of Buenos Aires (UBA)

The University of Buenos Aires occupies first place in this editorial selection, distinguished by its international recognition, academic influence, research capacity and public importance.

Its Law degree enjoys significant international standing, placing it at the forefront of legal education in Latin America.

The UBA Faculty of Law has also played a central role in Argentina’s institutional and judicial history. Its graduates include judges, academics, legislators, government officials, diplomats and leading practitioners from virtually every area of the legal profession.

Its educational model is characterised by a broad curriculum and a strong tradition in legal theory, public law and private law. Its size allows it to offer an extensive range of courses and academic perspectives, although it also requires students to display considerable independence when organising their studies and professional development.

As a public institution, UBA combines high academic prestige with a level of financial accessibility that is unusual among internationally recognised universities. This strengthens its social reach and explains why it remains the principal reference point for legal education in Argentina.

Universidad Austral: Professional Training and Private Legal Education

2. Universidad Austral

Universidad Austral takes second place in this selection, standing as the leading private institution on the list. The university has established a prominent position in Argentine legal education through its academic continuity and the development of its law programmes.

Its Faculty of Law stands out for its personalised teaching model, close contact between professors and students, strong postgraduate programmes and significant links with the legal profession.

Austral places particular importance on the study of case law, legal argument, professional ethics and practical problem-solving. Its institutional scale allows it to offer closer academic supervision than is normally possible at Argentina’s largest public universities.

The university is also particularly prominent in fields such as business law, tax law, administrative law and constitutional law. Its network of graduates and its connections with law firms, companies and public institutions reinforce the professional orientation of its programme.

Di Tella and UCA complete the leading group of private institutions

3. Universidad Torcuato Di Tella (UTDT)

Universidad Torcuato Di Tella occupies third place. Its Law degree is distinguished by its selective character, interdisciplinary approach and emphasis on the relationship between law, economics, public policy and institutional analysis.

Its relatively small student body enables intensive interaction with professors and the use of participatory teaching methods. Di Tella is especially attractive to students interested in corporate law, economic regulation, public policy, competition law, finance and academic research.

4. Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina (UCA)

The Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina takes fourth place. UCA combines a long-standing legal tradition with a broad academic structure and a substantial network of graduates working in law firms, courts, companies and public institutions.

Its educational identity attaches importance to legal doctrine, professional responsibility and the ethical dimension of legal practice. At the same time, it offers a wide range of postgraduate programmes and maintains a significant institutional presence within Argentina’s private university system.

Córdoba and La Plata: two pillars of public legal education

5. National University of Córdoba (UNC)

The National University of Córdoba ranks fifth. As one of the oldest universities in the Americas, it occupies a particularly important place in the history of Argentine higher education and legal thought.

Its Faculty of Law has educated generations of lawyers, judges, politicians and scholars. It is also a major alternative to Buenos Aires for students seeking a large and established public law school.

6. National University of La Plata (UNLP)

The National University of La Plata is sixth. It combines a strong public-service tradition with significant activity in legal and social research. Its location in the capital of Buenos Aires Province facilitates links with provincial courts, public authorities and professional organisations.

Both institutions demonstrate that Argentine legal education is not confined to the national capital. Their academic traditions and regional influence make them essential components of the country’s legal system.

San Andrés, Rosario and the Littoral

7. Universidad de San Andrés (UdeSA)

Universidad de San Andrés takes seventh place. Its Law programme is smaller and more recent than those offered by many traditional faculties, but it has gained recognition for its innovative and interdisciplinary character.

Its model favours small classes, legal reasoning, economic analysis, research and direct interaction with professors. It is particularly well suited to students seeking an academically intensive private education with international exposure.

8. National University of Rosario (UNR)

The National University of Rosario occupies eighth place. Its Faculty of Law is one of the most important legal education centres outside Buenos Aires and Córdoba. Its location in one of Argentina’s principal economic and judicial centres provides valuable opportunities in commercial, labour, civil and public law.

9. National University of the Littoral (UNL)

The National University of the Littoral ranks ninth. Based in Santa Fe, it has a notable tradition in public law, constitutional studies and research. Its proximity to provincial institutions and its strong regional influence reinforce its role in educating legal professionals for both public service and private practice.

UADE and its professional orientation

10. Universidad Argentina de la Empresa (UADE)

Universidad Argentina de la Empresa completes the top ten. Its Law degree has a strong professional and business-oriented profile, reflecting the university’s broader specialisation in economics, management and corporate education.

The programme is particularly relevant for students interested in corporate, commercial, tax, labour and compliance matters. Its connections with companies and professional organisations facilitate internships and early exposure to legal practice.

In this editorial selection, the university is included in the top ten. While its academic research profile is not as extensive as that of the principal public universities, its educational model places clear emphasis on employability, practical skills and the business environment.

Belgrano, Cuyo and Tucumán

11. University of Belgrano (UB)

The University of Belgrano ranks 11th. It offers a traditional private legal education combined with international agreements, language training and a wide selection of postgraduate opportunities. Its location in Buenos Aires also gives students access to a large and diversified legal market.

12. National University of Cuyo (UNCUYO)

The National University of Cuyo occupies 12th place and is the principal public reference for legal education in Mendoza and western Argentina. Its regional position is especially valuable for areas related to provincial public law, natural resources, water law, environmental regulation, wine production and cross-border relations with Chile.

13. National University of Tucumán (UNT)

The National University of Tucumán takes 13th place. It has a long academic tradition and considerable influence throughout north-western Argentina. Its Faculty of Law contributes substantially to the training of judges, public officials and practitioners across the region.

Salvador and the Catholic University of Córdoba

14. Universidad del Salvador (USAL)

Universidad del Salvador ranks 14th. Its legal education is rooted in a humanistic and traditional conception of the profession, complemented by a broad institutional network and a wide range of postgraduate programmes.

15. Catholic University of Córdoba (UCC)

The Catholic University of Córdoba occupies 15th place. It is one of the country’s most established private universities and has a strong presence in central Argentina. Its educational model combines legal training, ethics, social responsibility and professional preparation.

Both institutions offer an alternative to the country’s large public faculties, emphasizing institutional identity, academic support and close relationships within their university communities.

The National University of the South and Mar del Plata

16. National University of the South (UNS)

The National University of the South ranks 16th. Located in Bahía Blanca, it is an important public university with a solid academic reputation and considerable influence in southern Buenos Aires Province and Patagonia.

Its Law programme benefits from the university’s research culture and from the economic characteristics of its region, including port activity, logistics, agriculture, energy and commercial development.

17. National University of Mar del Plata (UNMDP)

The National University of Mar del Plata takes 17th place. Its Faculty of Law plays a major role on Argentina’s Atlantic coast and offers relevant opportunities in civil, commercial, labour, public and environmental law.

Both universities illustrate the importance of assessing regional reach. A law school’s value cannot be measured solely by its visibility in Buenos Aires, particularly when its graduates have a decisive presence in the courts and legal institutions of other jurisdictions.

Palermo and Siglo 21: flexible and contemporary models

18. University of Palermo (UP)

The University of Palermo occupies 18th place. Its Law programme is characterised by curricular flexibility, internationalisation and an openness to contemporary legal issues.

Its location and private institutional model enable it to attract students seeking a flexible programme with connections to professional practice, business and global legal debates.

19. Universidad Siglo 21

Universidad Siglo 21 ranks 19th. It stands out for the geographical reach of its educational system, its extensive use of digital learning and its flexible study formats.

Although its research profile and academic selectivity differ from those of the universities at the top of the ranking, its ability to provide legal education to students in many parts of the country gives it considerable practical and social importance.

UNNE and its role in north-eastern Argentina

20. National University of the Northeast (UNNE)

The National University of the Northeast completes the ranking in 20th place. Its inclusion reflects its fundamental role in the provinces of Chaco and Corrientes and, more broadly, in north-eastern Argentina.

The university educates a substantial proportion of the region’s lawyers, judges, public officials and legal advisers. It also provides access to public legal education in an area whose social, economic and institutional circumstances differ significantly from those of Buenos Aires.

Its position demonstrates that territorial impact and contribution to regional legal systems are also relevant components of a national assessment.

Why this editorial selection looks beyond international research visibility

Relying solely on global research metrics would offer an incomplete perspective on Argentine legal education. These criteria tend to favour large institutions with extensive international visibility and publications indexed in global databases.

Broad institutional indicators do not always capture the quality of professional teaching, the strength of local alumni networks, access to courts and public institutions, or the influence of a university within a particular Argentine province.

Focusing solely on a limited number of the country’s law schools would provide a partial view of legal education. Excluding other programmes would mistakenly equate a lower global profile with an absence of academic quality.

For this reason, the Impact Lawyers editorial selection considers the diversity of academic programmes alongside evidence of professional, institutional and regional influence.

Public and private universities: different models of excellence

Argentina’s public universities occupy a central position in the ranking. UBA, Córdoba, La Plata, Rosario, the Littoral, Cuyo and Tucumán offer broad academic traditions, strong regional networks and comparatively accessible education.

Their scale and diversity can provide students with an exceptionally rich intellectual environment, although class size, administrative complexity and the need for greater personal autonomy may present challenges.

Private universities generally offer smaller groups, closer supervision, more structured programmes and stronger direct connections with particular areas of professional practice. However, tuition fees can be a decisive factor.

Neither model is inherently superior. The most appropriate choice depends on the student’s academic preferences, financial circumstances, preferred learning environment and professional objectives.

Understanding legal education in Argentina

In Argentina, Law is normally studied as an undergraduate-level professional degree known as Abogacía. Students enter the programme after completing secondary education, unlike the United States, where a bachelor’s degree is generally required before beginning a Juris Doctor.

The programme usually lasts between five and six years, depending on the university and the pace at which the student completes the required courses.

Graduates receive the professional title of abogado or abogada. However, obtaining the university degree does not by itself automatically authorise unrestricted legal practice throughout the country.

To practise, graduates must generally register and obtain a professional licence known as a matrícula from the bar association or competent authority in the jurisdiction where they intend to work. In the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, for example, federal and ordinary legal practice is linked to registration with the Colegio Público de la Abogacía de la Capital Federal.

Argentina does not have a single national bar examination equivalent to the bar exam used in the United States. Admission requirements are primarily based on possession of a recognised qualifying degree and registration with the relevant professional body, although the applicable rules may vary by jurisdiction and type of practice.

The importance of choosing a jurisdiction

The city and province in which a student plans to practise should play an important role in selecting a university.

A Buenos Aires institution may provide stronger access to large corporate law firms, federal courts, national government bodies, multinational companies and international organisations. A major regional university, however, may offer a more influential alumni network and closer connections with courts, firms and institutions in its own province.

This distinction is especially important in Argentina because legal practice is shaped by both national and provincial institutions. Civil, commercial, criminal, labour, administrative and procedural practice may involve different courts, regulations and professional bodies depending on the jurisdiction.

A university’s geographical location is therefore not merely a lifestyle consideration; it can materially influence internships, professional contacts and employment opportunities.

There is no perfect university for every student

The ranking provides an overall assessment of academic and professional excellence, but a higher-ranked university will not necessarily be the best choice for every student.

The decision should take into account the area of law the student wishes to pursue, the jurisdiction in which they expect to practise, tuition fees, living costs, scholarships, class size, teaching methods, international opportunities and the strength of the university’s professional network.

Students interested in academic research, constitutional theory or public institutions may prioritise different universities from those seeking careers in corporate law, finance, compliance, litigation, public administration or regional legal practice.

It is also important to compare the actual curriculum rather than relying exclusively on the institution’s general reputation. The number and quality of legal clinics, practical courses, internships, exchange agreements, electives and specialised centres may have a greater effect on a student’s education than a small difference in ranking position.

A diverse and decentralised legal education system

The main conclusion of this editorial selection is that excellence in Argentine legal education cannot be reduced to a single indicator.

In this editorial selection, UBA occupies the first position, offering a profile that brings together historical influence, academic breadth, research and accessibility. Universidad Austral, Di Tella, UCA and San Andrés represent different models of private legal education, with smaller classes, specialised programmes and close links to professional practice.

Córdoba, La Plata, Rosario, the Littoral, Cuyo, Tucumán and the other national universities demonstrate the strength and territorial importance of Argentina’s public university system.

By reviewing the programmes published by the universities themselves and considering the diversity of their educational approaches, the Impact Lawyers selection offers a broader, more critical and practically useful overview of legal education in Argentina.