Analyzing trends in LSAT scores and GPA requirements across institutions, by school type and enrollment status
Over the past decade, law schools have seen significant changes in both LSAT score requirements and GPA standards. These metrics reflect shifts in applicant competitiveness and institutional selectivity across the legal education landscape.
LSAT score requirements have evolved significantly over the past decade, reflecting changes in law school selectivity and applicant competitiveness. This section tracks LSAT scores across the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentiles for all students.
In 2016, the median LSAT score (50th percentile) was approximately 155.2, with the 25th percentile at 151.7 and the 75th percentile at 157.8. By 2026, the median LSAT score had increased to 159.6, reflecting increased academic competition.
| Year | 25th Percentile | 50th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 151.7 | 155.2 | 157.8 |
| 2017 | 151.7 -0.06 | 155.2 -0.01 | 157.7 -0.09 |
| 2018 | 151.8 +0.12 | 155.3 +0.15 | 157.8 +0.05 |
| 2019 | 152.6 +0.83 | 156 +0.63 | 158.4 +0.58 |
| 2020 | 153 +0.32 | 156.5 +0.5 | 158.8 +0.42 |
| 2021 | 153.3 +0.3 | 156.8 +0.34 | 159.2 +0.47 |
| 2022 | 154.7 +1.48 | 158.1 +1.28 | 160.6 +1.39 |
| 2023 | 154.7 -0.08 | 158.4 +0.32 | 160.8 +0.16 |
| 2024 | 154.7 +0.08 | 158.5 +0.13 | 161 +0.19 |
| 2025 | 154.9 +0.11 | 158.6 +0.05 | 161.1 +0.1 |
| 2026 | 156.1 +1.25 | 159.6 +1.04 | 162.3 +1.19 |
This section tracks the median LSAT scores (50th percentile) for all students, as well as separate trends for full-time and part-time programs.
In 2016, the average median LSAT score was approximately 155.2, with full-time programs averaging 155.2 and part-time programs at 150.2. By 2026, the median LSAT score had increased to 159.6, reflecting increased academic competition.
| Year | All Students | Full-Time | Part-Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 155.2 | 155.2 | 150.2 |
| 2017 | 155.2 -0.01 | 155.3 +0.07 | 150.7 +0.51 |
| 2018 | 155.3 +0.15 | 155.3 +0.03 | 151.1 +0.39 |
| 2019 | 156 +0.63 | 156 +0.69 | 151.9 +0.79 |
| 2020 | 156.5 +0.5 | 156.5 +0.51 | 152.8 +0.87 |
| 2021 | 156.8 +0.34 | 156.8 +0.33 | 153 +0.28 |
| 2022 | 158.1 +1.28 | 158.1 +1.3 | 154.5 +1.41 |
| 2023 | 158.4 +0.32 | 158.4 +0.33 | 154.3 -0.2 |
| 2024 | 158.5 +0.13 | 158.6 +0.15 | 154.1 -0.2 |
| 2025 | 158.6 +0.05 | 158.7 +0.06 | 154.8 +0.71 |
| 2026 | 159.6 +1.04 | 159.6 +0.98 | 155.6 +0.87 |
GPA requirements have shifted significantly over the past decade, reflecting evolving standards in law school admissions. This section tracks GPA across the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentiles for all students.
In 2016, the median GPA (50th percentile) was approximately 3.38, with the 25th percentile at 3.1 and the 75th percentile at 3.6. By 2026, the median GPA had increased to 3.65, reflecting higher academic standards.
| Year | 25th Percentile | 50th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 3.1 | 3.38 | 3.6 |
| 2017 | 3.11 +0.01 | 3.39 +0.009 | 3.61 +0.01 |
| 2018 | 3.13 +0.025 | 3.42 +0.029 | 3.63 +0.018 |
| 2019 | 3.16 +0.028 | 3.44 +0.019 | 3.65 +0.022 |
| 2020 | 3.2 +0.039 | 3.48 +0.038 | 3.68 +0.029 |
| 2021 | 3.21 +0.016 | 3.49 +0.018 | 3.7 +0.02 |
| 2022 | 3.27 +0.052 | 3.54 +0.05 | 3.74 +0.036 |
| 2023 | 3.29 +0.026 | 3.58 +0.039 | 3.76 +0.026 |
| 2024 | 3.33 +0.037 | 3.61 +0.024 | 3.79 +0.022 |
| 2025 | 3.35 +0.02 | 3.62 +0.016 | 3.8 +0.019 |
| 2026 | 3.39 +0.036 | 3.65 +0.026 | 3.82 +0.017 |
This section tracks the median GPA (50th percentile) for all students, as well as separate trends for full-time and part-time programs.
In 2016, the average median GPA was approximately 3.38, with full-time programs averaging 3.38 and part-time programs at 3.22. By 2026, the median GPA had increased to 3.65, reflecting higher academic standards.
| Year | All Students | Full-Time | Part-Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 3.38 | 3.38 | 3.22 |
| 2017 | 3.39 +0.009 | 3.39 +0.015 | 3.23 +0.007 |
| 2018 | 3.42 +0.029 | 3.42 +0.025 | 3.24 +0.013 |
| 2019 | 3.44 +0.019 | 3.44 +0.023 | 3.25 +0.01 |
| 2020 | 3.48 +0.038 | 3.48 +0.039 | 3.29 +0.045 |
| 2021 | 3.49 +0.018 | 3.5 +0.018 | 3.29 -0.008 |
| 2022 | 3.54 +0.05 | 3.55 +0.049 | 3.32 +0.033 |
| 2023 | 3.58 +0.039 | 3.59 +0.04 | 3.35 +0.032 |
| 2024 | 3.61 +0.024 | 3.62 +0.026 | 3.37 +0.019 |
| 2025 | 3.62 +0.016 | 3.64 +0.02 | 3.38 +0.005 |
| 2026 | 3.65 +0.026 | 3.66 +0.023 | 3.41 +0.038 |
