Youngstown State University recently announced a new “3 plus 3” Philosophy and Law school program to eliminate some of the time students have to pursue their education. The program means that undergraduate studying to achieve a Philosophy degree who would later like to pursue law school can complete both in a six-year span. In this case, students are accepted into law school without yet having a Bachelor’s degree, but the law school education can be used to supplement your final year of schooling. It may sound slightly complicated now, but YSU is committed to ironing out the kinks and ensuring all of its students are well-educated and prepared for success. (These are the top colleges and universities in the U.S., ranked.)
However, shorter doesn’t always mean better — and many people who are pursuing a law degree want to attend one of America’s more prestigious law institutions. Law school graduates from high-ranking institutions earn significant amounts of money. The median salary of U.S. lawyers in May 2023 was $145,760 — but those who graduate from certain schools have the chance to top that number. Law school also doesn’t mean you have to become a lawyer; a law school education confers a specialized skill set with a broad range of applications, and according to the ABA, nearly 30% of the 2022 graduating class took jobs in business, government, public interest, or education. Still, the school you pick matters. Here, 24/7 Wall St. identified the 50 hardest law schools to get accepted to across the country using data from the ABA. Schools are ranked on an equally weighted index of three measures: the fall 2023 acceptance rate, median undergraduate GPA for new enrollees in the fall 2023 semester, and median LSAT score of new enrollees in fall 2023.
Why It Matters
Law school is a major investment of both time and money — but those with a JD who are licensed to practice law have access to some of the most secure and high-paying jobs in the United States. Still, for those pursuing a legal education, the school they enroll in can have considerable bearing on their career prospects. Starting, private-sector salaries for graduates of the highest-ranked law schools often exceed $200,000 — and it’s no coincidence that eight of the nine sitting Supreme Court justices got their legal education at either Harvard or Yale. For any top-tier law school, the admissions process is highly competitive.
50. University of Tennessee
- Fall 2023 acceptance rate: 30.2%
- Applicants in fall 2023: 1,526
- Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees in 2023: 3.78 out of 4.0
- Median LSAT score of new enrollees in 2023: 162 out of 180
- Bar exam passage rate for first-time takers in 2023: 83.7%
49. Emory University
- Fall 2023 acceptance rate: 40.9%
- Applicants in fall 2023: 3,533
- Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees in 2023: 3.82 out of 4.0
- Median LSAT score of new enrollees in 2023: 166 out of 180
- Bar exam passage rate for first-time takers in 2023: 86.2%
48. University of Wisconsin
- Fall 2023 acceptance rate: 35.6%
- Applicants in fall 2023: 1,616
- Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees in 2023: 3.79 out of 4.0
- Median LSAT score of new enrollees in 2023: 165 out of 180
- Bar exam passage rate for first-time takers in 2023: 100.0%
47. University of Maryland
- Fall 2023 acceptance rate: 30.2%
- Applicants in fall 2023: 2,548
- Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees in 2023: 3.78 out of 4.0
- Median LSAT score of new enrollees in 2023: 163 out of 180
- Bar exam passage rate for first-time takers in 2023: 74.9%
46. University of Colorado
- Fall 2023 acceptance rate: 34.2%
- Applicants in fall 2023: 2,807
- Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees in 2023: 3.81 out of 4.0
- Median LSAT score of new enrollees in 2023: 164 out of 180
- Bar exam passage rate for first-time takers in 2023: 81.1%
45. University of Arizona
- Fall 2023 acceptance rate: 29.3%
- Applicants in fall 2023: 1,605
- Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees in 2023: 3.79 out of 4.0
- Median LSAT score of new enrollees in 2023: 163 out of 180
- Bar exam passage rate for first-time takers in 2023: 78.4%
44. Wake Forest University
- Fall 2023 acceptance rate: 31.5%
- Applicants in fall 2023: 2,116
- Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees in 2023: 3.79 out of 4.0
- Median LSAT score of new enrollees in 2023: 165 out of 180
- Bar exam passage rate for first-time takers in 2023: 93.3%
43. Southern Methodist University
- Fall 2023 acceptance rate: 32.7%
- Applicants in fall 2023: 2,175
- Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees in 2023: 3.83 out of 4.0
- Median LSAT score of new enrollees in 2023: 164 out of 180
- Bar exam passage rate for first-time takers in 2023: 84.9%
42. Wayne State University
- Fall 2023 acceptance rate: 27.4%
- Applicants in fall 2023: 1,058
- Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees in 2023: 3.83 out of 4.0
- Median LSAT score of new enrollees in 2023: 162 out of 180
- Bar exam passage rate for first-time takers in 2023: 66.7%
41. The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law
- Fall 2023 acceptance rate: 33.1%
- Applicants in fall 2023: 1,814
- Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees in 2023: 3.83 out of 4.0
- Median LSAT score of new enrollees in 2023: 165 out of 180
- Bar exam passage rate for first-time takers in 2023: 90.7%
40. University of Minnesota
- Fall 2023 acceptance rate: 39.8%
- Applicants in fall 2023: 2,100
- Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees in 2023: 3.85 out of 4.0
- Median LSAT score of new enrollees in 2023: 168 out of 180
- Bar exam passage rate for first-time takers in 2023: 89.6%
39. University of Utah
- Fall 2023 acceptance rate: 30.2%
- Applicants in fall 2023: 904
- Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees in 2023: 3.85 out of 4.0
- Median LSAT score of new enrollees in 2023: 164 out of 180
- Bar exam passage rate for first-time takers in 2023: 94.0%
38. William And Mary School of Law
- Fall 2023 acceptance rate: 27.3%
- Applicants in fall 2023: 2,248
- Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees in 2023: 3.77 out of 4.0
- Median LSAT score of new enrollees in 2023: 166 out of 180
- Bar exam passage rate for first-time takers in 2023: 93.0%
37. Baylor University
- Fall 2023 acceptance rate: 17.8%
- Applicants in fall 2023: 3,005
- Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees in 2023: 3.73 out of 4.0
- Median LSAT score of new enrollees in 2023: 164 out of 180
- Bar exam passage rate for first-time takers in 2023: 91.6%
36. Pepperdine University
- Fall 2023 acceptance rate: 28.2%
- Applicants in fall 2023: 3,485
- Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees in 2023: 3.86 out of 4.0
- Median LSAT score of new enrollees in 2023: 164 out of 180
- Bar exam passage rate for first-time takers in 2023: 83.3%
35. Villanova University
- Fall 2023 acceptance rate: 22.5%
- Applicants in fall 2023: 2,351
- Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees in 2023: 3.80 out of 4.0
- Median LSAT score of new enrollees in 2023: 164 out of 180
- Bar exam passage rate for first-time takers in 2023: 91.8%
34. University of California-Irvine
- Fall 2023 acceptance rate: 18.2%
- Applicants in fall 2023: 2,629
- Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees in 2023: 3.72 out of 4.0
- Median LSAT score of new enrollees in 2023: 167 out of 180
- Bar exam passage rate for first-time takers in 2023: 86.9%
33. Fordham University
- Fall 2023 acceptance rate: 21.1%
- Applicants in fall 2023: 6,346
- Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees in 2023: 3.76 out of 4.0
- Median LSAT score of new enrollees in 2023: 167 out of 180
- Bar exam passage rate for first-time takers in 2023: 87.8%
32. George Washington University
- Fall 2023 acceptance rate: 28.7%
- Applicants in fall 2023: 8,310
- Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees in 2023: 3.85 out of 4.0
- Median LSAT score of new enrollees in 2023: 168 out of 180
- Bar exam passage rate for first-time takers in 2023: 86.1%
31. Florida State University
- Fall 2023 acceptance rate: 21.1%
- Applicants in fall 2023: 3,290
- Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees in 2023: 3.85 out of 4.0
- Median LSAT score of new enrollees in 2023: 165 out of 180
- Bar exam passage rate for first-time takers in 2023: 83.0%
30. University of North Carolina
- Fall 2023 acceptance rate: 16.3%
- Applicants in fall 2023: 2,815
- Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees in 2023: 3.78 out of 4.0
- Median LSAT score of new enrollees in 2023: 166 out of 180
- Bar exam passage rate for first-time takers in 2023: 92.0%
29. University of Notre Dame
- Fall 2023 acceptance rate: 24.4%
- Applicants in fall 2023: 2,476
- Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees in 2023: 3.83 out of 4.0
- Median LSAT score of new enrollees in 2023: 169 out of 180
- Bar exam passage rate for first-time takers in 2023: 91.5%
28. Boston College
- Fall 2023 acceptance rate: 13.4%
- Applicants in fall 2023: 5,650
- Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees in 2023: 3.77 out of 4.0
- Median LSAT score of new enrollees in 2023: 167 out of 180
- Bar exam passage rate for first-time takers in 2023: 95.9%
27. Brigham Young University
- Fall 2023 acceptance rate: 28.8%
- Applicants in fall 2023: 504
- Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees in 2023: 3.94 out of 4.0
- Median LSAT score of new enrollees in 2023: 168 out of 180
- Bar exam passage rate for first-time takers in 2023: 95.4%
26. University of Alabama
- Fall 2023 acceptance rate: 26.6%
- Applicants in fall 2023: 1,634
- Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees in 2023: 3.95 out of 4.0
- Median LSAT score of new enrollees in 2023: 167 out of 180
- Bar exam passage rate for first-time takers in 2023: 91.3%
25. Arizona State University College of Law
- Fall 2023 acceptance rate: 21.3%
- Applicants in fall 2023: 4,178
- Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees in 2023: 3.90 out of 4.0
- Median LSAT score of new enrollees in 2023: 167 out of 180
- Bar exam passage rate for first-time takers in 2023: 86.4%
24. University of Georgia
- Fall 2023 acceptance rate: 14.8%
- Applicants in fall 2023: 3,027
- Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees in 2023: 3.83 out of 4.0
- Median LSAT score of new enrollees in 2023: 169 out of 180
- Bar exam passage rate for first-time takers in 2023: 83.7%
23. Boston University
- Fall 2023 acceptance rate: 17.8%
- Applicants in fall 2023: 7,297
- Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees in 2023: 3.86 out of 4.0
- Median LSAT score of new enrollees in 2023: 170 out of 180
- Bar exam passage rate for first-time takers in 2023: 87.7%
22. George Mason University
- Fall 2023 acceptance rate: 14.0%
- Applicants in fall 2023: 2,303
- Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees in 2023: 3.89 out of 4.0
- Median LSAT score of new enrollees in 2023: 168 out of 180
- Bar exam passage rate for first-time takers in 2023: 87.4%
21. University of Florida
- Fall 2023 acceptance rate: 17.0%
- Applicants in fall 2023: 3,968
- Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees in 2023: 3.91 out of 4.0
- Median LSAT score of new enrollees in 2023: 169 out of 180
- Bar exam passage rate for first-time takers in 2023: 81.9%
20. Vanderbilt University
- Fall 2023 acceptance rate: 16.8%
- Applicants in fall 2023: 5,554
- Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees in 2023: 3.89 out of 4.0
- Median LSAT score of new enrollees in 2023: 170 out of 180
- Bar exam passage rate for first-time takers in 2023: 97.0%
19. University of California-Berkeley
- Fall 2023 acceptance rate: 14.9%
- Applicants in fall 2023: 6,636
- Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees in 2023: 3.87 out of 4.0
- Median LSAT score of new enrollees in 2023: 170 out of 180
- Bar exam passage rate for first-time takers in 2023: 88.2%
18. Georgetown University
- Fall 2023 acceptance rate: 19.6%
- Applicants in fall 2023: 10,827
- Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees in 2023: 3.91 out of 4.0
- Median LSAT score of new enrollees in 2023: 171 out of 180
- Bar exam passage rate for first-time takers in 2023: 90.5%
17. Texas A&M University
- Fall 2023 acceptance rate: 14.6%
- Applicants in fall 2023: 4,126
- Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees in 2023: 3.97 out of 4.0
- Median LSAT score of new enrollees in 2023: 166 out of 180
- Bar exam passage rate for first-time takers in 2023: 93.0%
16. University of Texas At Austin
- Fall 2023 acceptance rate: 14.9%
- Applicants in fall 2023: 5,684
- Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees in 2023: 3.86 out of 4.0
- Median LSAT score of new enrollees in 2023: 171 out of 180
- Bar exam passage rate for first-time takers in 2023: 94.0%
15. University of Southern California
- Fall 2023 acceptance rate: 12.5%
- Applicants in fall 2023: 4,850
- Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees in 2023: 3.88 out of 4.0
- Median LSAT score of new enrollees in 2023: 169 out of 180
- Bar exam passage rate for first-time takers in 2023: 82.4%
14. University of California-Los Angeles
- Fall 2023 acceptance rate: 16.8%
- Applicants in fall 2023: 6,457
- Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees in 2023: 3.92 out of 4.0
- Median LSAT score of new enrollees in 2023: 170 out of 180
- Bar exam passage rate for first-time takers in 2023: 88.8%
13. University of Michigan
- Fall 2023 acceptance rate: 12.6%
- Applicants in fall 2023: 6,425
- Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees in 2023: 3.85 out of 4.0
- Median LSAT score of new enrollees in 2023: 171 out of 180
- Bar exam passage rate for first-time takers in 2023: 97.3%
12. Cornell University
- Fall 2023 acceptance rate: 18.4%
- Applicants in fall 2023: 5,198
- Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees in 2023: 3.90 out of 4.0
- Median LSAT score of new enrollees in 2023: 172 out of 180
- Bar exam passage rate for first-time takers in 2023: 94.3%
11. Duke University
- Fall 2023 acceptance rate: 10.5%
- Applicants in fall 2023: 6,205
- Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees in 2023: 3.87 out of 4.0
- Median LSAT score of new enrollees in 2023: 170 out of 180
- Bar exam passage rate for first-time takers in 2023: 94.4%
10. New York University
- Fall 2023 acceptance rate: 16.8%
- Applicants in fall 2023: 8,498
- Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees in 2023: 3.90 out of 4.0
- Median LSAT score of new enrollees in 2023: 172 out of 180
- Bar exam passage rate for first-time takers in 2023: 96.6%
9. Northwestern University
- Fall 2023 acceptance rate: 15.5%
- Applicants in fall 2023: 6,225
- Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees in 2023: 3.92 out of 4.0
- Median LSAT score of new enrollees in 2023: 172 out of 180
- Bar exam passage rate for first-time takers in 2023: 91.6%
8. Washington University
- Fall 2023 acceptance rate: 17.2%
- Applicants in fall 2023: 5,554
- Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees in 2023: 3.95 out of 4.0
- Median LSAT score of new enrollees in 2023: 173 out of 180
- Bar exam passage rate for first-time takers in 2023: 91.9%
7. Columbia University
- Fall 2023 acceptance rate: 12.2%
- Applicants in fall 2023: 7,754
- Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees in 2023: 3.90 out of 4.0
- Median LSAT score of new enrollees in 2023: 173 out of 180
- Bar exam passage rate for first-time takers in 2023: 95.4%
6. University of Virginia
- Fall 2023 acceptance rate: 11.5%
- Applicants in fall 2023: 5,610
- Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees in 2023: 3.94 out of 4.0
- Median LSAT score of new enrollees in 2023: 171 out of 180
- Bar exam passage rate for first-time takers in 2023: 96.5%
5. University of Pennsylvania
- Fall 2023 acceptance rate: 9.9%
- Applicants in fall 2023: 6,518
- Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees in 2023: 3.92 out of 4.0
- Median LSAT score of new enrollees in 2023: 172 out of 180
- Bar exam passage rate for first-time takers in 2023: 96.3%
4. University of Chicago
- Fall 2023 acceptance rate: 12.8%
- Applicants in fall 2023: 5,259
- Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees in 2023: 3.94 out of 4.0
- Median LSAT score of new enrollees in 2023: 173 out of 180
- Bar exam passage rate for first-time takers in 2023: 97.1%
3. Harvard University
- Fall 2023 acceptance rate: 9.6%
- Applicants in fall 2023: 8,334
- Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees in 2023: 3.93 out of 4.0
- Median LSAT score of new enrollees in 2023: 174 out of 180
- Bar exam passage rate for first-time takers in 2023: 96.1%
2. Stanford University
- Fall 2023 acceptance rate: 7.3%
- Applicants in fall 2023: 4,863
- Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees in 2023: 3.95 out of 4.0
- Median LSAT score of new enrollees in 2023: 173 out of 180
- Bar exam passage rate for first-time takers in 2023: 96.7%
1. Yale University
- Fall 2023 acceptance rate: 5.6%
- Applicants in fall 2023: 4,412
- Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees in 2023: 3.96 out of 4.0
- Median LSAT score of new enrollees in 2023: 175 out of 180
- Bar exam passage rate for first-time takers in 2023: 96.8%
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