Many assume that USNWR rankings are arbitrary. To some degree, they are. Much like grading exams, it's easy to spot the 5s and the 1s. The ones in the middle look much more like one another.

What could make the system better? Let faculty rank schools from 1-10, rather than 1-5. You would see much more meaningful distinctions with a wider band.

Additionally, don't rank schools that aim to produce regional lawyers in the same category as schools that aim to produce national lawyers. HLS isn't aiming to produce the same type of attorney as Northeastern Law. Their faculties and students are nothing like one another.

Nevertheless, with careful readings of law school websites and SSRN, one can discern quality on the 1-5 scale. Most voters we know try very, very hard to do just that.