The Top Law School Admission Statistics in 2024

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There’s a lot to consider when it comes to going to law school, from acceptance rates to bar passage rates.

If you’re curious about the best law school admission statistics, you’ve come to the right place.

Ready? Let’s go!

Top law school admissions statistics in 2024

The median law school acceptance rate is 41%
The top 15 US law schools have an average acceptance rate of 12.6%
On average, entering law school students have a median GPA of 3.55
38,019 JD students enrolled in law school in 2022
The three hardest law schools to get into are Yale Law School, Stanford Law School, and Harvard Law School
The three easiest law schools to get into are Southern University Law Center, Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School, and Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law

The median law school acceptance rate

Before we jump in, let’s talk about what percentage of applicants get into law school.

Across the country, the median law school acceptance rate is 41%. Some schools even have acceptance rates of 65% or more.

But the top 15 law schools – including Stanford and Yale – are far harder to get into, with an average acceptance rate of 12.6%.

Keep reading to learn more about 2023 acceptance rates.

Law school acceptance rates in 2023

Here are the rankings for the top 50 law schools in the United States:

University	Accept. rate	Median LSAT	Low LSAT	High LSAT	Median GPA	Low GPA	High GPA	Tuition	Students receiving grants	Employment 10 months after graduation
Stanford University	6.9%	173	170	176	3.92	3.84	3.99	$71,609	65%	87%
Yale University	5.7%	178	171	175	3.94	3.87	3.99	$71,425	64%	79.8%
University of Chicago	14.2%	173	169	175	3.91	3.81	3.97	$74,607	80%	95.3%
University of Pennsylvania (Carey)	9.7%	172	167	173	3.9	3.61	3.96	$73,008	55%	93%
Duke University	10.7%	170	168	171	3.85	3.73	3.94	$72,632	94%	96.8%
Harvard University	10.1%	174	170	176	3.92	3.82	3.99	$71,734	43%	88%
New York University	15.7%	172	169	174	3.88	3.72	3.94	$76,290	59%	93.3%
Columbia University	11.9%	173	171	175	3.87	3.78	3.95	$78,278	65%	96.3%
University of Virginia	12.9%	171	166	173	3.94	3.69	3.99	$68,500	68%	93.4%
Northwestern University (Pritzker)	15%	171	166	172	3.89	3.63	3.93	$72,212	71%	94.1%
University of California (Berkeley)	12.5%	170	167	172	3.83	3.74	3.9	$59,306	86%	90.2%
University of Michigan (Ann Arbor)	13.5%	171	166	172	3.83	3.59	3.92	$66,808	85%	93.1%
Cornell University	17.4%	172	170	174	3.87	3.76	3.94	$74,183	86%	94.3%
University of California –Los Angeles	15.5%	171	166	172	3.9	3.76	3.97	$53,910	85%	91.5%
Georgetown University	17.6%	171	166	172	3.86	3.63	3.94	$71,996	64%	89.7%
University of Minnesota	37.2%	168	N/A	N/A	3.83	N/A	N/A	$47,454	85.5%	92%
University of Southern California (Gould)	12.7%	168	165	169	3.87	3.76	3.94	$73,998	96.4%	95.3%
University of Texas – Austin	14.6%	170	166	171	3.84	3.71	3.92	$36,429	92.6%	92%
Vanderbilt University	14.5%	170	163	170	3.9	3.57	3.98	$68,816	85%	92.7%
University of Georgia	14.8%	168	156	169	3.87	3.56	3.94	$18,994	87%	97%
Washington University in St. Louis	18%	172	164	173	3.94	3.43	4	$65,229	95.4%	94.6%
Brigham Young University (Clark)	31.4%	168	165	171	3.92	3,66	3.96	$14,636	89%	85.7%
Ohio State University (Mortiz)	37.1%	164	159	166	3.86	3.58	3.95	$33,361	95.7%	94.4%
University of Florida (Levin)	16.9%	169	162	170	3.9	3.52	3.97	$21,803	81.5%	90.7%
University of North California – Chapel Hill	14.6%	166	162	167	3.77	3.61	3.88	$24,492	82.9%	94.7%
Wake Forest University	33%	165	159	166	3.72	3.47	3.84	$51,000	93.3%	96.5%
Boston University	16.3%	170	164	171	3.84	3.57	3.91	$62,534	88.1%	88.3%
University of Notre Dame	24.6%	168	162	170	3.81	3.65	3.89	$65,936	93.3%	87%
Boston College	10.2%	166	162	167	3.74	3.55	3.81	$63,130	91.9%	91.2%
Fordham University	18.8%	167	164	168	3.72	3.55	3.81	$96,166	85%	94.1%
Texas A&M University	16.3%	164	158	166	3.93	3.54	3.98	$32,634	86.3%	94.7%
Arizona State University (O’Connor)	19.7%	167	158	168	3.85	3.42	3.94	$27,464	94.1%	94.6%
George Mason University (Scalia)	19.6%	166	158	167	3.83	3.45	3.93	$26,569	83.2%	90.7%
University of Utah (Quinney)	31.9%	163	158	164	3.87	3.71	3.96	$33,634	78.8%	92%
Emory University	26%	168	161	169	3.8	3.43	3.9	$64,300	94.9%	88.9%
George Washington University	25%	168	162	169	3.84	3.52	3.93	$67,380	80.8%	89.5%
University of Alabama	25.8%	166	159	168	3.95	3.4	4	$24,390	89.8%	89.1%
University of California – Irvine	19.5%	167	162	168	3.72	3.51	3.83	$54,183	98%	81.5%
University of Iowa	41.3%	163	161	165	3.66	3.49	3.83	$30,152	82.4%	92.7%
University of Kansas	55.3%	158	153	160	3.73	3.41	3.85	$22,769	86.7%	95.9%
University of Wisconsin – Madison	35.2%	165	157	167	3.73	3.41	3.85	$33,158	91%	89.7%
Washington and Lee University	32.7%	164	159	166	3.66	3.47	3.78	$54,460	96.3%	89.8%
University of Illinois Urbana- Champaign	34.7%	166	162	167	3.71	3.47	3.86	$39,800	97.6%	90.2%
Villanova University (Widger)	16.5%	163	N/A	N/A	3.76	N/A	N/A	$53,555	85.7%	93.7%
Indiana University – Bloomington (Maurer)	43.3%	164	158	165	3.81	3.42	3.92	$38,185	98%	89.4%
Pepperdine University (Caruso)	27.7%	164	159	166	3.85	3.54	3.93	$63,660	N/A	90%
SMU (Dedman)	33.9%	164	160	165	3.71	3.35	3.87	$61,058	95.8%	92.7%
William & Mary Law School	46%	165	160	166	3.75	3.5	3.85	$38,274	96.8%	85.5%
Baylor University	23.9%	163	159	164	3.72	3.48	3.85	$61,877	90.9%	91.5%
University of Washington	30.3%	164	160	166	3.7	3.5	3.83	$41,688	77%	86.5%

For more on these rankings, check out my guide to the best law schools in the US.

Now, let’s explore the average GPAs and LSAT scores of law school applicants.

What is the average GPA for law school applicants?

According to U.S. News World & Report, the average median GPA of entering law school students is 3.55.

Unsurprisingly, that number increases among the best law schools. The average median GPA of the top 20 law schools in the country is 3.86.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t get into law school with a lower GPA.

Realistically, the lowest GPA you can have to get in is 2.5, but remember that it will still be an uphill battle.

What is the average LSAT for law school applicants?

Among the first-year JD students who started school in fall 202, the average LSAT score was 159.

For comparison's sake, the 75th percentile average was 160.9, and the 25th percentile average was 154.8.

But if you want to get into a top ranking law school, you should aim for a score of 172-175.

Like GPAs, a lower LSAT score won’t make or break you. We’ll talk about how to increase your chances of getting accepted later.

Next, we’ll be learning about the hardest and easiest law schools to get into.

The hardest law schools to get into

Let’s take a look at the top three hardest law schools to get into, as well as their median GPA and LSAT scores and acceptance rates.

Yale Law School

Median GPA: 3.94
Median LSAT score: 174
Acceptance rate: 6.94%

Stanford Law School

Median GPA: 3.91

Median LSAT score: 172

Acceptance rate: 4.8%

Harvard Law School

Median GPA: 3.90

Median LSAT score: 173

Acceptance rate: 12.9%

Keep reading to see the easiest law schools to get into.

The easiest law schools to get into

Below, you’ll find the top three easiest law schools to get into, their average GPA and LSAT scores, and their acceptance rates.

Southern University Law Center

Median GPA: 3.08
Median LSAT score: 146
Acceptance rate: 63%

Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School

Median GPA: 2.99
Median LSAT score: 147

Acceptance rate: 63.4%

Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law

Median GPA: 3.07

Median LSAT score: 147

Acceptance rate: 62.3%

Next, let’s examine law school enrollment data and how it’s changed throughout the years.

Law school enrollment data over time

Today, overall JD enrollment of first-year students is more stable than it has been in over 40 years.

Even so, the numbers are low.

JD enrollment peaked in 2010 with 52,404 students and has steadily decreased since. In 2022, that number was far lower at just 38,019. However, in 2021 it rose to 41,715.

While those low numbers might be cause for concern for law schools, it means it’s a good time to be an applicant. Not only will there be less competition, but you’ll also have a better chance of getting a job after graduation.

Let’s take a look at the JD enrollment numbers from the last 20 years:

2003	48,867
2004	48,239
2005	48,132
2006	48,937
2007	49,082
2008	49,414
2009	51,646
2010	52,404
2011	47,566
2012	43,171
2013	39,687
2014	37,917
2015	37,104
2016	37,105
2017	37,320
2018	38,391
2019	38,286
2020	38,202
2021	41,715
2022	38,019

Now that we know how many people get into law school, it’s time to discuss who gets in.

Gender and race in law school admissions

Of the 38,060 first-year JD students who enrolled in law school in 2022:

57% are women
35% are students of color
13% are male students of color
21% are female students of color

Read on to learn about how many students pass the bar.

Bar passage rates

According to the American Bar Association, of the 33,721 students who graduated and took the bar in 2022:

78% (26,217) passed on their first try
On average, 67% of women pass on their first try
On average, 68.5% of men pass on their first try
83% of white test takers passed on their first try
57% of Black test takers passed on their first try
69% of Hispanic test takers passed on their first try
75% of Asian test takers passed on their first try
60% of Native American test takers passed on their first try
69% of Hawaiian test takers passed on their first try

Keep reading to learn a few simple ways to increase your chances of getting into your dream law school!

Increase your chances of getting accepted

As we’ve learned, getting into law school is hard, even if you’re not aiming for the likes of Stanford or Yale.

But there are strategies you can use to get accepted. Here’s what you need to know.

Get a good GPA

Of course, you need to have at least a bachelor’s degree to get into law school.

And while there’s no firm GPA requirement, law schools do care about it.

In fact, it’s one of the most important parts of your application.

Average GPAs vary by school. For instance, Yale has an average GPA of 3.94, while a lower ranking school, the University of the District of Columbia (Clarke), has one of 3.07.

If you’re applying to a top 10 law school, a “safe” GPA is considered to be 3.85 or higher.

Your GPA won’t make or break your application. You really can get in without meeting the school’s average – I’ve seen several of my clients do exactly that.

That said, it should at least be close. For example, a 2.1 GPA won’t cut it for a school whose average is 3.7.

Get a good LSAT score

Like a GPA, a good LSAT score is a major help on your law school applications.

To make law school a reality, aim to get a score of at least 140 on the LSAT.

The best schools in the country require even higher scores. At the top 10 law schools, a score of 170 or more is recommended.

But, again, a lower score won’t keep you from being accepted.

If your score isn’t what you’d hoped for, you can always retake it. However, I don’t recommend doing so more than three times.

Write a strong personal statement

If the school you’re applying to doesn’t guarantee (or even do) interviews, a personal statement might be your only chance to get the board of admission’s attention.

So it has to be a good one.

Don’t talk about athletics, a generic study abroad experience, or even high school events when writing your personal statement.

It should be informative and support your application while illustrating your passion, purpose, and ability to succeed.

Instead, focus on a cohesive story that shows the admissions board why you want to become a lawyer.

Get recommendation letters that stand out

Letters of recommendation are a requirement for almost every law school application, and each school has its own requirements.

Most schools require at least two, and who you can get them from depends.

Some call for letters from professors if you’ve just recently graduated, while others allow letters from professional contacts.

When asking for a letter of recommendation, remember that you want them to illustrate that you have the skills and traits needed to succeed in law school and offer a holistic view of who you are.

I always recommend getting at least one academic letter and avoiding letters from family or friends.

If you’re unsure where to start, check out my guide to requesting letters of recommendation.

Write a strong diversity statement

Even if you don’t think you have what most would call a “diverse background,” remember that diversity is more than just disability, religion, or sexual orientation!

After all, law schools are trying to build diverse classes and want students with various backgrounds, interests, and perspectives.

The truth is, you could write about anything, from family to career changes.

Whatever topic you choose, it needs to be strong.

Read this article to learn how to write an attention-grabbing diversity statement.

Include an addendum

If you have a low LSAT or GPA score, you might consider including an addendum with your application.

An addendum is a way to explain any discrepancies in your application, like disciplinary issues, low grades, or resume gaps. It should be short and limited to one to three paragraphs.

But there’s a catch: you must have a genuine, valid reason for including it.

Things like a learning disorder, death in the family, or health issues are all valid reasons for writing an addendum.

Next steps

There you have it! Everything you need to know about law school admissions statistics.

More than 38,000 students got into law school last year – and you can too, even if you don’t have the perfect scores.

I’ve helped several students do exactly that, and you can apply for admissions consulting here.

Read more:

How to Get Into Top Law Schools

Is Law School Worth It?

ABOUT MARA FREILICH

Mara has helped countless law school applicants get into their dream law schools, even without a perfect GPA, the highest LSAT score, or most unique story. Mara used to be a litigator at one of the top law firms in the world and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Law School as a prestigious Toll Public Interest Scholar.

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