What's the best undergrad degree for law school?
Asked by: Gianni Koepp | Last update: May 7, 2026Score: 4.5/5 (5 votes)
There's no single "best" undergraduate major for law school, as the American Bar Association (ABA) notes students are admitted from nearly every field, but traditional choices like Political Science, History, English, Economics, and Philosophy build key critical thinking, writing, and analytical skills. The most important factors are choosing a challenging subject you enjoy, developing strong research and writing, and excelling in demanding courses, with STEM, Business, and other majors also offering unique advantages for specific law areas.
Which undergraduate degree is best for law school?
There's no single "best" undergraduate major for law school; the American Bar Association states any major works, but Political Science, History, English, and Philosophy are common due to strong critical thinking, reading, and writing skills, while STEM/Business majors offer unique perspectives for specialized law fields. Success hinges on developing strong analytical, research, and communication skills, achieving a high GPA, and scoring well on the LSAT, regardless of your chosen major, so pick something you enjoy and can excel in.
What major gets into law school the most?
Top 10 Most Popular Undergraduate Majors for Prospective Law Students
- Political Science. Percentage of Students Admitted: 74.0% ...
- Economics. Percentage of Students Admitted: 78.2% ...
- History. Percentage of Students Admitted: 79.1% ...
- Philosophy. Percentage of Students Admitted: 75.5% ...
- English. ...
- Finance. ...
- Arts & Humanities. ...
- Psychology.
What major performs the best on the LSAT?
Here are some of the results:
- Mathematics/Physics: 160.0.
- Economics/Philosophy/Theology: 157.4.
- International Relations: 156.5.
- Engineering: 156.2.
- Government/Service/Chemistry: 156.1.
- History: 155.9.
- Interdisciplinary Studies: 155.5.
- Foreign Languages: 155.3.
What kind of undergrad degree do you need to be a lawyer?
There are no undergraduate study requirements to become an attorney. However, the AALS particularly suggests majors such as political science, criminal justice, history, and philosophy that help develop necessary skills.
What Is the Best Major for Law School? | What to Major in for Law School?
What's a good major for pre-law?
The best pre-law majors focus on developing critical reading, writing, and analytical skills, with popular choices including Political Science, History, English, and Philosophy. Other strong options are Economics, Psychology, and Business, while STEM fields like Engineering can also prepare you for specialized areas like intellectual property law, highlighting that a strong GPA and LSAT score matter more than the specific major.
Do lawyers make $500,000 a year?
Yes, many lawyers earn $500,000 or more annually, especially partners at large firms, top corporate lawyers, or specialized trial attorneys, but it's not typical for the average lawyer, whose median salary is much lower, requiring significant experience, specialization (like IP or M&A), and business acumen to reach that high income level.
What was Barack Obama's LSAT score?
Barack Obama's specific LSAT score has never been officially released, but it's widely believed to have been very high, likely in the 170-175 range, to gain admission to Harvard Law School with a relatively low undergraduate GPA. Analysts suggest he needed a score in the top percentiles (perhaps 94th-98th) to overcome his lower GPA and secure a spot at the prestigious institution, indicating a strong performance near the perfect 180 score.
Do law schools care about your major?
The American Bar Association (ABA) states that they do not recommend any specific major for undergraduates or coursework to prepare for law school.
Did Kim Kardashian pass the LSAT?
That said, the question about what the “Kim Kardashian LSAT score” was, or if she even took the LSAT ends in a resounding no. This unconventional choice has sparked conversations about making legal education more accessible and exploring diverse paths in the legal profession.
Which field of law is most in demand?
3. Specialized Legal Careers (High-Demand Fields)
- Cyber Law Expert.
- Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Lawyer.
- Taxation Lawyer.
- Environmental Lawyer.
- International Business Law Expert.
- Arbitration & Mediation Specialist.
Is a pre-law degree worth it?
The American Bar Association “does not recommend any undergraduate majors or group of courses to prepare for legal education.” And although the ABA falls short of saying that a pre-law bachelor's degree shouldn't be pursued, they also stress that the legal field values the diversity of viewpoints and opinions that ...
What type of people are good at the LSAT?
In reality, strong readers have the greatest advantage on the LSAT. See, here is how it goes: Nobody starts off with the Logical Reasoning as their best section. Good reasoning skills are a must, but either you come from a reading background, or a math/CS type background.
Which Bachelor's degree is best for a lawyer?
There's no single "best" undergraduate major for law school; the American Bar Association states any major works, but Political Science, History, English, and Philosophy are common due to strong critical thinking, reading, and writing skills, while STEM/Business majors offer unique perspectives for specialized law fields. Success hinges on developing strong analytical, research, and communication skills, achieving a high GPA, and scoring well on the LSAT, regardless of your chosen major, so pick something you enjoy and can excel in.
What major goes to law school the most?
Common Undergraduate Majors for Pre-Law Students
- Political Science. According to LSAC data, about 18% of law school applicants major in political science, making it the single most common major by over 10 percentage points. ...
- Psychology. ...
- Criminal Justice. ...
- English. ...
- Economics. ...
- History. ...
- Philosophy. ...
- Strategies for Choosing a Major.
Is psychology or philosophy better for law school?
Top law schools target philosophy majors because their coursework has taught them how to understand, analyze, interpret situations, and build theories and apply ethical and rhetorical principles.
What disqualifies you from law school?
Disqualification from law school often stems from academic failure (low GPA/grades) or character & fitness issues like significant criminal records, academic dishonesty (cheating, plagiarism), financial irresponsibility, or, most commonly, failing to be truthful on your application or during the character and fitness review process, as honesty and candor are paramount. While issues like past arrests or financial struggles aren't automatic disqualifiers, they require full disclosure and evidence of rehabilitation to avoid denial or later disbarment.
What should I get my bachelor's in if I want to go to law school?
You may choose to major in subjects that are considered to be traditional preparation for law school, such as history, English, philosophy, political science, economics or business, or you may focus your undergraduate studies in areas as diverse as art, music, science and mathematics, computer science, engineering, ...
What is a good pre-law major?
The best pre-law majors focus on developing critical reading, writing, and analytical skills, with popular choices including Political Science, History, English, and Philosophy. Other strong options are Economics, Psychology, and Business, while STEM fields like Engineering can also prepare you for specialized areas like intellectual property law, highlighting that a strong GPA and LSAT score matter more than the specific major.
Did Michelle Obama ever pass a bar exam?
Yes, Michelle Obama failed the Illinois bar exam on her first attempt after graduating from Harvard Law School, but she retook it, passed, and was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1989, going on to have a successful legal career. She is one of several prominent figures, including Hillary Clinton and Franklin D. Roosevelt, who initially failed the bar exam before achieving great success.
What did Ben Affleck get on his SAT?
Ben Affleck reportedly had a "near-perfect" or "almost perfect" SAT score, rumored to be 1600, on the old 1600-point scale, though the exact score isn't officially confirmed, with sources citing sources like the New York Times on his high aptitude despite poor high school attendance.
What is the #1 ranked law school in the world?
There isn't one single "number one," as rankings vary, but Harvard University, Yale University, and Stanford University consistently appear at the very top globally, often trading #1 spots depending on the ranking system, with Harvard often leading in overall QS rankings and Yale/Stanford in U.S. News & World Report's domestic rankings for U.S. schools. Other top contenders include Oxford, Cambridge, Chicago, and NYU.
What is the lowest paid lawyer?
There's no single minimum salary for lawyers, as pay varies wildly by location, firm size, and specialization, but entry-level salaries range from around $50k-$70k in public interest/small firms to over $200k at big corporate firms, with overall averages often near $100k-$120k. The lowest earnings are typically in public service, while high-paying areas include corporate law, IP, and big cities like NYC or D.C.
Why do lawyers take 33%?
Lawyers often take 33% (or more) in personal injury cases as a contingency fee, meaning they only get paid if they win, covering their significant upfront costs (like experts, investigations) and time, with the percentage often rising (e.g., to 40%) if the case goes to trial, reflecting the increased risk and work. This fee model makes legal help accessible to those who can't afford hourly rates, as the lawyer assumes the financial risk of a "no-win, no-fee" arrangement.
How old is the youngest lawyer?
The youngest lawyer is currently Sophia Park, who passed the California Bar exam at 17 years and 8 months old in late 2024, breaking her brother's record and becoming the youngest in California history. While she passed the exam, she was sworn in as a licensed attorney in March 2025 after turning 18, joining the Tulare County District Attorney's Office as a prosecutor.