In the United States, many lawyers earn over $180,000 a year, which makes the profession among the highest paying in the country. Some lawyers earn much more. Michelman & Robinson, one of the most successful U.S. law firms, pays its high-level associates (who are not even partners) an average of $450,000 a year. (These are other best paying jobs in America.)
Compared to most jobs, the road to becoming a lawyer is a long one. Most go to a four-year college and then three years of law school, though acceptance at some law schools is very low. The hardest law school to get into is Yale Law School.
After school, people who want to become practicing attorneys usually have to pass the bar exam in each state where they intend on practicing. Those who join large law firms start as associates. The wait to become a partner can be over five years, and some never make it to that level.
The barrier to getting into the best law schools – where the most successful lawyers generally go – is a high one. To determine the hardest law school to get into, 24/7 Wall St. created an index based on three measures of selectivity using data from the American Bar Association:
- Acceptance rate – the share of offer letters sent in fall 2021 out of the number of applications
- Median LSAT score of newly enrolled students in fall 2021
- Median undergraduate GPA of newly enrolled students
We also reviewed the share of students in the class of 2018 who took the bar exam within two years of graduation and passed. (Not just law, in general, these are the hardest colleges to get into.)
Law school graduates are among the most powerful people in society. Twenty-six of our 46 presidents have been lawyers. Moreover, of the current nine Supreme Court justices, only Amy Coney Barrett did not attend an Ivy League law school.
Those Ivy League institutions are well represented among the best law schools. Of the 10 law schools with the lowest acceptance rates, in fact, eight are private. The two public ones are the University of Virginia and the University of Michigan.
The hardest law school to get into is Yale Law School with an acceptance rate of 4.1%. There were 5,194 applications for the fall of 2021, meaning only about 210 applicants received offer letters. The median undergrad GPA of new enrollees is 3.94, and the median LSAT score of new enrollees is 174 out of 180. The bar exam passage rate is 99%
Click here to see the hardest American law school to get into
50. University of Illinois College of Law
> Acceptance rate: 29.8%
> Applications for fall 2021: 1,926
> Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees: 3.66
> Median LSAT score of new enrollees: 164 out of 180
> Bar exam passage rate: 95.2%
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49. Northeastern University School of Law
> Acceptance rate: 24.4%
> Applications for fall 2021: 4,103
> Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees: 3.66
> Median LSAT score of new enrollees: 162 out of 180
> Bar exam passage rate: 94.2%
48. Indiana University Maurer School of Law
> Acceptance rate: 36.1%
> Applications for fall 2021: 1,766
> Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees: 3.77
> Median LSAT score of new enrollees: 164 out of 180
> Bar exam passage rate: 90.5%
47. Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law
> Acceptance rate: 33.4%
> Applications for fall 2021: 2,334
> Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees: 3.76
> Median LSAT score of new enrollees: 163 out of 180
> Bar exam passage rate: 95.7%
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Source: Courtesy of University of Arizona Law via Facebook
46. James E. Rogers College of Law at the University of Arizona
> Acceptance rate: 24.7%
> Applications for fall 2021: 1,739
> Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees: 3.66
> Median LSAT score of new enrollees: 163 out of 180
> Bar exam passage rate: 84%
Source: Courtesy of FIU College of Law
45. Florida International University College of Law
> Acceptance rate: 20.6%
> Applications for fall 2021: 2,364
> Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees: 3.69
> Median LSAT score of new enrollees: 160 out of 180
> Bar exam passage rate: 98.5%
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Source: gregobagel / E+ via Getty Images
44. University of Washington School of Law
> Acceptance rate: 25.6%
> Applications for fall 2021: 3,054
> Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees: 3.67
> Median LSAT score of new enrollees: 164 out of 180
> Bar exam passage rate: 100%
24/7 Wall St.
43. Cardozo School of Law
> Acceptance rate: 30.8%
> Applications for fall 2021: 3,820
> Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees: 3.74
> Median LSAT score of new enrollees: 164 out of 180
> Bar exam passage rate: 97%
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
42. Ohio State University Moritz College of Law
> Acceptance rate: 32.1%
> Applications for fall 2021: 1,913
> Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees: 3.79
> Median LSAT score of new enrollees: 163 out of 180
> Bar exam passage rate: 94.9%
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Source: Courtesy of UC Davis Law School
41. University of California-Davis School of Law
> Acceptance rate: 28.3%
> Applications for fall 2021: 3,733
> Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees: 3.70
> Median LSAT score of new enrollees: 165 out of 180
> Bar exam passage rate: 95.3%
Source: Courtesy of William & Mary Law School via Facebook
40. William And Mary Law School
> Acceptance rate: 30.1%
> Applications for fall 2021: 2,642
> Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees: 3.78
> Median LSAT score of new enrollees: 164 out of 180
> Bar exam passage rate: 97.8%
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39. Brigham Young University J. Reuben Clark Law School
> Acceptance rate: 39.9%
> Applications for fall 2021: 476
> Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees: 3.85
> Median LSAT score of new enrollees: 167 out of 180
> Bar exam passage rate: 96.7%
24/7 Wall St.
Source: statephotos / Public Domain /Flickr
38. Boston College Law School
> Acceptance rate: 23.5%
> Applications for fall 2021: 6,368
> Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees: 3.69
> Median LSAT score of new enrollees: 165 out of 180
> Bar exam passage rate: 95.5%
Source: Courtesy of Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law via Facebook
37. Villanova University’s Charles Widger School of Law
> Acceptance rate: 17.8%
> Applications for fall 2021: 2,972
> Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees: 3.70
> Median LSAT score of new enrollees: 162 out of 180
> Bar exam passage rate: 94.3%
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Source: Courtesy of Antonin Scalia Law School, George Mason University via Facebook
36. Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University
> Acceptance rate: 27.1%
> Applications for fall 2021: 2,139
> Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees: 3.81
> Median LSAT score of new enrollees: 164 out of 180
> Bar exam passage rate: 93.1%
35. University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law
> Acceptance rate: 25.5%
> Applications for fall 2021: 1,113
> Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees: 3.82
> Median LSAT score of new enrollees: 163 out of 180
> Bar exam passage rate: 95.8%
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Source: Courtesy of Pepperdine University
34. Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law
> Acceptance rate: 25%
> Applications for fall 2021: 4,454
> Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees: 3.80
> Median LSAT score of new enrollees: 164 out of 180
> Bar exam passage rate: 93.2%
33. University of Minnesota Law School
> Acceptance rate: 27.6%
> Applications for fall 2021: 2,655
> Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees: 3.80
> Median LSAT score of new enrollees: 166 out of 180
> Bar exam passage rate: 97.2%
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
32. Florida State University College of Law
> Acceptance rate: 22.5%
> Applications for fall 2021: 2,372
> Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees: 3.82
> Median LSAT score of new enrollees: 163 out of 180
> Bar exam passage rate: 97%
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Source: Courtesy of Emory University School of Law via Facebook
31. Emory University School of Law
> Acceptance rate: 27.3%
> Applications for fall 2021: 5,254
> Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees: 3.80
> Median LSAT score of new enrollees: 167 out of 180
> Bar exam passage rate: 88.7%
30. Fordham University School of Law
> Acceptance rate: 17.7%
> Applications for fall 2021: 7,882
> Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees: 3.70
> Median LSAT score of new enrollees: 166 out of 180
> Bar exam passage rate: 96.3%
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Source: Courtesy of UNC School of Law via Facebook
29. University of North Carolina School of Law
> Acceptance rate: 15.5%
> Applications for fall 2021: 2,866
> Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees: 3.73
> Median LSAT score of new enrollees: 164 out of 180
> Bar exam passage rate: 97.2%
24/7 Wall St.
28. University of California-Irvine School of Law
> Acceptance rate: 16.8%
> Applications for fall 2021: 3,600
> Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees: 3.69
> Median LSAT score of new enrollees: 167 out of 180
> Bar exam passage rate: 92%
Source: Courtesy of The University of Alabama School of Law via Facebook
27. University of Alabama School of Law
> Acceptance rate: 31%
> Applications for fall 2021: 1,528
> Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees: 3.94
> Median LSAT score of new enrollees: 165 out of 180
> Bar exam passage rate: 94.7%
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Source: Courtesy of Texas A&M School of Law
26. Texas A&M University School of Law
> Acceptance rate: 18.4%
> Applications for fall 2021: 3,818
> Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees: 3.84
> Median LSAT score of new enrollees: 163 out of 180
> Bar exam passage rate: 94.8%
Source: Courtesy of George Washington University Law School via Facebook
25. George Washington University Law School
> Acceptance rate: 21.6%
> Applications for fall 2021: 10,585
> Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees: 3.83
> Median LSAT score of new enrollees: 167 out of 180
> Bar exam passage rate: 97.2%
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Source: Courtesy of University of Georgia School of Law via Facebook
24. University of Georgia School of Law
> Acceptance rate: 18.5%
> Applications for fall 2021: 2,998
> Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees: 3.82
> Median LSAT score of new enrollees: 166 out of 180
> Bar exam passage rate: 95.2%
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Courtesy of Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law via Facebook
23. Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University
> Acceptance rate: 20.6%
> Applications for fall 2021: 5,717
> Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees: 3.85
> Median LSAT score of new enrollees: 166 out of 180
> Bar exam passage rate: 94.6%
22. Notre Dame Law School
> Acceptance rate: 17.5%
> Applications for fall 2021: 3,694
> Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees: 3.77
> Median LSAT score of new enrollees: 168 out of 180
> Bar exam passage rate: 96%
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Source: Courtesy of Boston University School of Law via Facebook
21. Boston University School of Law
> Acceptance rate: 18.3%
> Applications for fall 2021: 8,221
> Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees: 3.77
> Median LSAT score of new enrollees: 169 out of 180
> Bar exam passage rate: 99.6%
Source: Courtesy of UF Levin College of Law via Facebook
20. University of Florida Levin College of Law
> Acceptance rate: 17.4%
> Applications for fall 2021: 3,850
> Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees: 3.86
> Median LSAT score of new enrollees: 167 out of 180
> Bar exam passage rate: 92.5%
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Source: Courtesy of The University of Texas School of Law via Facebook
19. University of Texas at Austin School of Law
> Acceptance rate: 15.2%
> Applications for fall 2021: 7,679
> Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees: 3.80
> Median LSAT score of new enrollees: 169 out of 180
> Bar exam passage rate: 97.1%
18. University of Southern California Gould School of Law
> Acceptance rate: 13%
> Applications for fall 2021: 6,839
> Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees: 3.82
> Median LSAT score of new enrollees: 168 out of 180
> Bar exam passage rate: 92.8%
Source: Courtesy of UCLA School of Law via Facebook
17. University of California-Los Angeles School of Law
> Acceptance rate: 15.4%
> Applications for fall 2021: 7,939
> Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees: 3.82
> Median LSAT score of new enrollees: 170 out of 180
> Bar exam passage rate: 96.3%
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Source: Andrei Stanescu / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
16. University of California-Berkeley School of Law
> Acceptance rate: 13.7%
> Applications for fall 2021: 7,948
> Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees: 3.83
> Median LSAT score of new enrollees: 169 out of 180
> Bar exam passage rate: 98.3%
Source: BSPollard / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
15. Duke University School of Law
> Acceptance rate: 14.4%
> Applications for fall 2021: 7,255
> Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees: 3.82
> Median LSAT score of new enrollees: 170 out of 180
> Bar exam passage rate: 98.1%
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Source: Tashka / iStock via Getty Images
14. Vanderbilt University Law School
> Acceptance rate: 14.3%
> Applications for fall 2021: 6,884
> Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees: 3.89
> Median LSAT score of new enrollees: 169 out of 180
> Bar exam passage rate: 98.9%
Source: kickstand / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
13. Cornell Law School
> Acceptance rate: 15.4%
> Applications for fall 2021: 5,998
> Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees: 3.86
> Median LSAT score of new enrollees: 171 out of 180
> Bar exam passage rate: 99.5%
Source: Courtesy of Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law
12. Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law
> Acceptance rate: 13.9%
> Applications for fall 2021: 7,410
> Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees: 3.86
> Median LSAT score of new enrollees: 171 out of 180
> Bar exam passage rate: 92.6%
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11. Georgetown University Law Center
> Acceptance rate: 12.9%
> Applications for fall 2021: 14,049
> Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees: 3.85
> Median LSAT score of new enrollees: 171 out of 180
> Bar exam passage rate: 95.5%
Source: littleny / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
10. New York University School of Law
> Acceptance rate: 14.5%
> Applications for fall 2021: 10,713
> Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees: 3.86
> Median LSAT score of new enrollees: 172 out of 180
> Bar exam passage rate: 98.9%
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Source: Courtesy of Washington University School of Law via Facebook
9. Washington University in St. Louis School of Law
> Acceptance rate: 15.9%
> Applications for fall 2021: 5,958
> Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees: 3.93
> Median LSAT score of new enrollees: 170 out of 180
> Bar exam passage rate: 95.5%
Source: tiny-al / iStock via Getty Images
8. University of Michigan Law School
> Acceptance rate: 10.6%
> Applications for fall 2021: 7,693
> Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees: 3.84
> Median LSAT score of new enrollees: 171 out of 180
> Bar exam passage rate: 97.3%
7. Columbia Law School
> Acceptance rate: 11.4%
> Applications for fall 2021: 9,612
> Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees: 3.84
> Median LSAT score of new enrollees: 174 out of 180
> Bar exam passage rate: 97.1%
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Source: Courtesy of University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School via Facebook
6. University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School
> Acceptance rate: 9.4%
> Applications for fall 2021: 8,383
> Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees: 3.90
> Median LSAT score of new enrollees: 171 out of 180
> Bar exam passage rate: 99.2%
Source: eyfoto / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
5. University of Chicago Law School
> Acceptance rate: 11.9%
> Applications for fall 2021: 6,514
> Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees: 3.91
> Median LSAT score of new enrollees: 172 out of 180
> Bar exam passage rate: 100%
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Source: traveler1116 / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
4. University of Virginia School of Law
> Acceptance rate: 9.7%
> Applications for fall 2021: 7,047
> Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees: 3.91
> Median LSAT score of new enrollees: 171 out of 180
> Bar exam passage rate: 99%
Source: Courtesy of Stanford Law
3. Stanford Law School
> Acceptance rate: 6.3%
> Applications for fall 2021: 5,685
> Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees: 3.91
> Median LSAT score of new enrollees: 172 out of 180
> Bar exam passage rate: 98.9%
Source: rmbarricarte / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
2. Harvard Law School
> Acceptance rate: 6.9%
> Applications for fall 2021: 9,933
> Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees: 3.92
> Median LSAT score of new enrollees: 174 out of 180
> Bar exam passage rate: 97.9%
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Source: sainaniritu / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
1. Yale Law School
> Acceptance rate: 4.1%
> Applications for fall 2021: 5,194
> Median undergrad GPA of new enrollees: 3.94
> Median LSAT score of new enrollees: 174 out of 180
> Bar exam passage rate: 99%
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