The North Carolina Central University School of Law has been named one of the nation’s 10 “most popular” law schools in a ranking released by U.S. News & World Report this week. The listing is based on an analysis of admission yield — the percentage of students accepted by a school who choose to enroll.

In the rankings compiled for 2010, the NCCU law school placed ninth, with a yield of 49.6 percent; of 415 applicants accepted by the school, 206 subsequently enrolled. Yale Law School took the top spot, at 80.4 percent, followed by the law schools at Brigham Young University, Harvard University, Southern University, Liberty University, the University of Oklahoma, Regent University, the University of Memphis, NCCU and the University of New Mexico.

U.S. News surveyed the enrollment and acceptance data for 190 law schools to compile the list. The data encompasses 180,479 acceptances and 49,054 enrollments, making the nationwide yield 27.2 percent.

The NCCU School of Law has also been named the nation’s “best value” law school for two years in a row by National Jurist magazine in a ranking based on affordability, bar passage rate and job placement. The reputation for value has brought the school an increase in applications, and it now accepts just 20 percent of those who seek admission, compared with a national average of 39 percent.

“We’re pleased with this ranking,” said Raymond Pierce, dean of the law school. “It is further recognition of our quality of instruction, our affordability and our strong connection to practical applications of the law.”

The full U.S. News report, “10 Most Popular Law Schools,” can be viewed here.