Analyzing trends in admissions, acceptance rates, enrollment rates, applicants, and admitted students across institutions
Law school admissions for George Mason University School of Law have undergone significant changes over the past decade. Acceptance rates have become considerably more competitive, making it increasingly difficult for applicants to gain admission.
In 2016, George Mason University School of Law law schools received 2,292 applications, admitted 718 students (acceptance rate: 31.3%), and enrolled 157 students (enrollment rate: 6.9%). For the academic year 2025-2026, applications reached 2,792, admissions totaled 443 (acceptance rate: 15.9%), and enrollments were 159 (enrollment rate: 5.7%).
Law school acceptance rates have fluctuated over the years, influenced by factors such as application volume, law school capacity, and changes in the legal job market.
In 2016, the average acceptance rate for law schools was around 31.3%, with some highly competitive institutions accepting less than 10% of applicants. By 2026, the average acceptance rate had decreased to approximately 15.9%, reflecting increased competition among applicants.
This decline in acceptance rates has made it more challenging for prospective law students to gain admission to their desired schools, particularly at top-tier institutions.
| Year | Acceptance Ratio | Applicants | Admitted |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 31.3% | 2,292 | 718 |
| 2017 | 23.8% -7.6% | 2,587 295 | 615 -103 |
| 2018 | 25.3% 1.6% | 2,452 -135 | 621 6 |
| 2019 | 25.9% 0.6% | 2,435 -17 | 631 10 |
| 2020 | 20.9% -5.1% | 2,964 529 | 618 -13 |
| 2021 | 22.8% 1.9% | 1,820 -1,144 | 415 -203 |
| 2022 | 27.1% 4.3% | 2,139 319 | 579 164 |
| 2023 | 19.6% -7.4% | 2,114 -25 | 415 -164 |
| 2024 | 14% -5.6% | 2,303 189 | 323 -92 |
| 2025 | 14.6% 0.6% | 2,397 94 | 351 28 |
| 2026 | 15.9% 1.2% | 2,792 395 | 443 92 |
Enrollment rates reflect the percentage of admitted students who choose to enroll at a law school. These rates indicate the attractiveness and competitiveness of institutions in converting admitted applicants into enrolled students.
In 2016, the average offer acceptance rate (enrolled over admitted) was approximately 21.9%, while the overall enrollment rate (enrolled over applicants) was 6.9%. By 2026, the offer acceptance rate had increased to around 35.9%, and the overall enrollment rate decreased to 5.7%.
Key differences between these metrics:
| Year | Enrollment Rate | Offer Accept Rate | Admitted | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 6.9% | 21.9% | 718 | 157 |
| 2017 | 6.9% 0.1% | 29.1% 7.2% | 615 -103 | 179 22 |
| 2018 | 7.1% 0.2% | 28.2% -0.9% | 621 6 | 175 -4 |
| 2019 | 6.5% -0.6% | 25% -3.1% | 631 10 | 158 -17 |
| 2020 | 4.7% -1.8% | 22.5% -2.6% | 618 -13 | 139 -19 |
| 2021 | 8.2% 3.5% | 35.9% 13.4% | 415 -203 | 149 10 |
| 2022 | 12.1% 3.9% | 44.7% 8.8% | 579 164 | 259 110 |
| 2023 | 7.5% -4.6% | 38.3% -6.4% | 415 -164 | 159 -100 |
| 2024 | 4.2% -3.3% | 30% -8.3% | 323 -92 | 97 -62 |
| 2025 | 4.9% 0.7% | 33.3% 3.3% | 351 28 | 117 20 |
| 2026 | 5.7% 0.8% | 35.9% 2.6% | 443 92 | 159 42 |
