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St. Louis Living

Law students thrive in St. Louis.

St. Louis provides the ideal setting for your law school years, combining urban energy with accessibility and affordability. Here, you can focus on what matters most—building meaningful connections and gaining the experiences that will launch your career wherever it takes you.

Our City

A city that enriches your legal education.

From the historic Central West End to the iconic Delmar Loop and vibrant Grove, St. Louis neighborhoods offer distinct character within easy reach of campus. Just steps away, Forest Park—home to world-class institutions like the Saint Louis Art Museum and Zoo—provides free entertainment and green space, while the city’s central location connects you to opportunities across the region.

128+ miles of greenway trails connect neighborhoods

1,300-acre Forest Park steps away from campus

World-class art, theater, and live music venues

Professional baseball, hockey, and soccer teams

Visit St. Louis
St. Louis skyline and CITY soccer stadium
WashU Campus at Night
Our Campus

Study, connect, explore—all in one place.

Our clinics, externships, trial advocacy programs, and global opportunities prepare students for strong employment outcomes while making real impact for clients and communities in need of creative solutions.

WashU’s Danforth Campus combines a welcoming academic community with major research university resources. Law students access the full university experience while enjoying distinct spaces designed for legal education, where an active calendar of events, guest speakers, and student activities keep campus life engaging.

Law school located on 169-acre Danforth Campus

24/7 Law Library with resources and study spaces

Specialized research centers and interdisciplinary programs

Frequent events, speakers, and student organization meetings

See Our Campus
WashU Law balloon at the St. Louis Forest Park Balloon Glow
Professional Advantages

Exceptional opportunities for hands-on legal experience.

Here, students gain real-world practice through clinical work and externships with local organizations, transforming classroom learning into professional practice addressing real legal challenges.

View Clinical Programs
Our students engage in:
  • Clinical work on litigation, transactions, and policy advocacy
  • Externships from judicial clerkships to international justice work
  • Real cases addressing housing, immigration, civil rights, and more
  • Collaboration with social work, engineering, and medical students
Living in St. Louis

Your St. Louis questions answered.

Popular nearby neighborhoods include University City (U City), the Central West End, and the Grove. All offer walkable access to dining, entertainment, and easy commutes to campus, with a wide range of affordable housing options.

Our graduates practice in all 50 states and 24+ countries, reflecting the global reach of a WashU Law education. Many leverage St. Louis connections for regional opportunities, while others use their degree to launch careers in major legal markets worldwide.

WashU’s Danforth Campus does not have designated graduate student housing, but the Admissions Office offers housing concierge services to help identify what neighborhoods law student should live in, go on apartment tours, and help them make a smooth transition to St. Louis and law school.

St. Louis’ central location makes it easy to reach destinations across the country. Lambert-St. Louis International Airport connects students to major U.S. cities for internships, family visits, and career opportunities.

You don’t need a car in St. Louis, but having one can be helpful. Many students get by with public transit, the campus shuttle system, biking, or walking—especially if they live near campus.

Explore St. Louis

See what makes this city work for law students.

Explore the Central West End

Discover a historic neighborhood just blocks from campus.

Get to Know Forest Park

Experience one of America’s largest urban parks.

Visit the Delmar Loop

Find live music venues, great restaurants, and local shops.

Take in the Architecture

Learn where to find stunning historic and modern buildings.

Become a Sports Fan

Learn why St. Louis lives and breathes championship culture.

Discover Historic St. Louis

Explore the Gateway City’s rich cultural heritage.