What is the average undergrad GPA for law school?

Asked by: Reagan Green  |  Last update: September 8, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (35 votes)

Here, an average GPA in the range of 3.5 to 3.7 is more common. Less competitive law schools may admit students with lower GPAs, often around 3.0 to 3.4 or even lower. These schools may prioritize other factors like diversity and unique experiences over strict academic metrics.

What is a good undergraduate GPA for law school?

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According to the Law School Admission Council (LSAC), students need a GPA of at least 3.59 and an LSAT of 162 or more to get into any top 10 law schools. However, that is the bare minimum, and you should aim higher if you want to increase your chances of getting into the top 3.

Is a 3.7 GPA too low for law school?

Among the 191 ranked law schools that submitted grade data to U.S. News in an annual survey, the average median GPA of entering law school students in 2021 was 3.55. But at the 20 highest-ranked law schools, the average median GPA is much higher – 3.86.

Is a 3.2 a bad law school GPA?

A low GPA for law schools will entirely depend on your goals. If your GPA is at or below a school's 25th percentile, your GPA will be considered low for that school. So generally, if you're trying to get into the top schools, a GPA below 3.6 will be considered low.

Is a 3.0 GPA bad for law school?

Is a 3.0 GPA Low For Law School? Considering students are generally advised to score a GPA of 3.5 in college to get into law school, a 3.0 is typically considered low. However, it all depends on the schools you're applying to! As discussed earlier, several schools consider a 3.0 to be within their competitive range.

Law School Splitter | High LSAT + Low GPA | why GPA "doesn't matter"

22 related questions found

Is a 3.5 GPA ok for law school?

What GPA Is Needed for Most Law Schools? Most law schools require a minimum GPA of 3.5 for admission.

Can I get into Harvard with a 2.7 GPA?

It's exceptionally challenging with a GPA below 3.0, but not impossible. Focus on other aspects of your application to compensate for a low GPA.

Is 2.9 GPA too low for law school?

1. What Is the Lowest GPA For Law School? Since the majority of law schools require a GPA of 3.0 or higher, anything below a 3.0 is considered very low. Some of the absolute lowest GPA requirements for schools are 2.80.

Can I get into Harvard law with 3.2 GPA?

That said, you can get into Harvard Law School even if your GPA is 3.82 or lower.

What is the lowest GPA for Yale Law School?

Applicants must have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.3 and be 18 years old by the time the program begins.

How rare is a 176 LSAT?

Less than 1% of test takers score a 176. It's a very hard thing to do. Don't let this sub skew your perception of what's realistic.

Is LSAT or GPA more important?

In general terms, it can be said that law schools value LSAT scores more than they do undergraduate GPA, but whether or not this statement applies to a given institution and how by much depends on the school.

Can I get into Harvard Law with a 3.8 GPA?

While the LSAT score and GPA are significant factors, Harvard Law considers applicants holistically, valuing diversity and unique perspectives. The LSAT score for Harvard Law School typically falls within the 169-175 range, while the average GPA for admitted students is between 3.8 and 4.0.

What are softs for law school?

Softs refer to everything in your application that isn't "hard" data.

How difficult is the LSAT?

This process is not only time-consuming but can be very expensive as well. So yes, the LSAT is hard, and it is designed that way. It's not so much a test that requires a student to remember random facts, but instead, it is a test that showcases a student's thought process.

Will a 3.4 get me into law school?

If you want to attend a Top 10 law school, it's best if your GPA is a 3.8 or higher. Even for schools lower in the law school rankings, you don't want to slip below a 3.4. Throughout your undergraduate education, keep in mind that the GPA you earn will play a major role in which law schools you can attend.

What was the lowest GPA Harvard has ever accepted?

Harvard College does not publicize its GPA thresholds or the lowest GPA it has accepted, and the degree of flexibility in their admissions process would indeed depend on a host of factors.

Will a 175 LSAT get you in anywhere?

Here is a breakdown of what counts as a good enough score for law schools based on the school's rank: Top-five law schools: 170 to 180. Schools like Harvard and Yale, which are the top two, rarely accept applicants with less than 172 on the LSAT. Law schools ranked between 5 and 10: 165 to 170.

What is the hardest law school in the USA?

1. Yale University. With an acceptance rate of just 6.9%, it's no wonder that Yale is the hardest law school to get into. Only around 1 in 15 of their highly qualified applicants makes it through.

What LSAT score did Elle Woods get?

When she applied to this school, she had a 4.0 GPA with a 179 on the LSAT, the two most important things when applying to law school. The average LSAT score for students applying to Harvard is 174, meaning she got above the average.

What's the lowest GPA Yale accepted?

We do not set a minimum GPA, nor do we attempt to re-weight GPA's to any standard other than what a school provides.

Can a 5.0 GPA get me into Harvard?

To have the best shot of getting in, you should aim for the 75th percentile, with a 1580 SAT or a 36 ACT. You should also have a 4.2 GPA or higher. If your GPA is lower than this, you need to compensate with a higher SAT/ACT score.

How smart is a 2.7 GPA?

Is a 2.7 GPA good? This GPA means that you've earned an average grade of a B- across all of your classes. Since a 2.7 GPA is lower than the national average of 3.0 for high school students, it will limit your options for college. 3.81% of schools have an average GPA below a 2.7.