Which major is best for law school?

Asked by: Winona Osinski  |  Last update: March 2, 2026
Score: 4.4/5 (58 votes)

There's no single "best" major for law school, as law schools accept students from all disciplines, but common choices like Political Science, History, English, Philosophy, and Economics build strong analytical, research, and writing skills, while specialized majors like STEM or Business offer unique perspectives for specific legal fields like IP or corporate law; the key is choosing a challenging major you enjoy that develops critical thinking, reading, and argumentation, according to the American Bar Association (ABA) and experts.

What is the most useful major for law school?

Political science is a very popular pre-law major because politics is heavily interrelated with legislation. The study of political behavior, government systems, and how the judicial system works are all very useful in law school.

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.

What major has the highest law school acceptance rate?

Top 10 Most Popular Undergraduate Majors for Prospective Law Students

  • History. ...
  • Philosophy. ...
  • English. ...
  • Finance. ...
  • Arts & Humanities. Percentage of Students Admitted: 72.8% ...
  • Psychology. Percentage of Students Admitted: 71.8% ...
  • Communications. Percentage of Students Admitted: 70.6% ...
  • Sociology. Percentage of Students Admitted: 67.1%

Do law schools care what your major is?

In one word, NO. Law schools care about many things: your GPA, your LSAT, the story you tell, the obstacles you've overcome. But if there is one thing law school admissions committees care least about, it may be your major.

Best Undergrad Major For Law School (and College Degree)

35 related questions found

What disqualifies you from law school?

What disqualifies you from law school often involves dishonesty, serious criminal history (especially crimes of moral turpitude like fraud), significant financial irresponsibility, or academic misconduct, all falling under the "character and fitness" evaluation, though a single minor issue usually isn't a bar if disclosed honestly and explained well; failure to disclose, lying on the application, or misrepresenting facts is often a more significant reason for denial or later disbarment. 

What did Barack Obama get on the LSAT?

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. 

What are good pre-law majors?

The best pre-law majors are often those that build strong critical thinking, reading, and writing skills, with Political Science, History, English, Economics, and Philosophy consistently topping the list for popularity and effectiveness, though many majors work well, including Criminal Justice, Psychology, and Business, as law schools value a diverse skill set and a high GPA more than a specific major.
 

What major performs best on LSAT?

Top 5 College Majors by Average LSAT Score

  • Physics/Math, 160.0.
  • Economics, 157.4.
  • Philosophy/Theology, 157.4.
  • International Relations, 156.5.
  • Engineering, 156.2.

Is law school harder than med school?

Medical school is generally considered harder due to its intense, fact-heavy curriculum requiring massive memorization and dealing with life-or-death stakes, while law school focuses more on reading, critical thinking, and analysis, though both are rigorous and demand significant commitment. Med school involves vast scientific knowledge and clinical rotations, whereas law school builds analytical "thinking like a lawyer" through heavy reading, writing, and case application, culminating in high-stakes final exams.
 

Which Bachelor's degree is best for a lawyer?

There's no single "best" undergraduate major for law school; the American Bar Association (ABA) emphasizes strong reading, writing, analytical, and research skills, regardless of major. Popular choices like Political Science, History, English, Philosophy, and Economics are common due to their focus on critical thinking, but majors in STEM, Arts, or Business also lead to successful law school admission, especially if they align with a student's interests and future legal focus (e.g., Technical majors for patent law). Focus on a challenging major you enjoy, excel in (for GPA), and that develops strong communication and logic. 

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 ...

Does a double major look good for law school?

Law schools don't have an official preference for a double major. The main advantage of a double major is the expanded knowledge and skills that come from this degree program. Law school admissions will generally consider the added commitment and hard work that comes with a double major.

What degree best prepares you for LSAT?

These majors not only provide a solid foundation but also contribute to higher LSAT scores, reflecting the development of skills necessary for the test.

  1. History. ...
  2. Political Science. ...
  3. Psychology. ...
  4. Criminal Justice. ...
  5. English. ...
  6. Economics. ...
  7. Philosophy. ...
  8. Sociology.

Is a JD higher than a Masters?

Yes, a Juris Doctor (J.D.) is generally considered a higher professional degree than a Master's degree, functioning as a professional doctorate in the U.S. for practicing law, requiring more extensive study (typically three years post-bachelor's) than a Master's and serving as the standard for becoming a licensed attorney, unlike a Master of Laws (LL.M.), which is an advanced law degree for specialization after the J.D.
 

Which college is best for doing law?

The best law schools consistently include Yale, Stanford, Harvard, University of Chicago, Columbia, NYU, and University of Pennsylvania, often leading national rankings by U.S. News & World Report and others, with top contenders also featuring Duke, UC Berkeley, University of Michigan, and University of Virginia, though the "best" depends on your specific career goals, location, and program focus, so check rankings from U.S. News & World Report, LSD.Law, and The Princeton Review for detailed comparisons. 

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.

What LSAT score will get you a full ride?

To get a full law school scholarship, aim for an LSAT score in the mid-to-high 160s or 170s, especially above a school's median, though scores in the mid-160s can secure full rides at strong regional schools like Illinois or UMass, while top-tier schools often require 170+. A higher LSAT significantly boosts chances, often alongside a strong GPA (3.5+) and a holistic profile, with scores above 173-180 making you a prime candidate for many programs. 

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.

What major should I study if I want to be a lawyer?

If you know early on that you want to study law, some of the best undergraduate degrees for law school include English, political science, business, criminal justice or economics. Think about what type of law you would like to practice so you can take related courses in your undergraduate studies.

What GPA do you need for law school?

Law school GPA requirements vary significantly, but most schools look for at least a 3.0, with top programs often seeking 3.5+ (even 3.8+), while some less competitive ones accept below 3.0; your GPA, combined with your LSAT score, determines competitiveness, with high scores needed for elite schools and your undergraduate performance trend (e.g., upward) also considered. 

What is the easiest field to be a lawyer in?

The easiest law to practice often depends on an individual's skills, interests, and tolerance for stress. Still, many consider estate planning or family law among the more accessible areas due to relatively predictable case structures and lower litigation intensity.

Did Michelle Obama ever pass a bar exam?

Yes, Michelle Obama did pass the Illinois bar exam, but she failed it on her first attempt after graduating from Harvard Law School before passing it on her second try, later becoming a licensed attorney in Illinois and having a successful legal career before becoming First Lady. She was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1989 and went on to work in intellectual property law at a firm where she met her husband, Barack Obama.
 

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.