Top law schools attract strong applicants each year.
As a result, LSAT scores remain important in admissions. In 2026, several leading schools report median scores above 170.
The LSAT has a maximum score of 180. A 170 or higher therefore signals a very competitive program.
However, the LSAT is only one part of an application. Schools also review grades, essays, recommendations, and work history.
Top Law Schools by LSAT Score
Washington University Leads the List
Washington University School of Law reports a 175 median LSAT score.
That figure places the school at the top of current comparisons.
The school also reports a 3.96 median undergraduate GPA. Its acceptance rate stands at about 19%.
Meanwhile, several other leading schools report median scores of 174.
Chicago, Harvard and Yale Follow
The University of Chicago Law School, Harvard Law School, and Yale Law School each report a 174 median LSAT score.
These schools also maintain highly selective admissions.
For example, Yale has an acceptance rate of about 4.1%.
Harvard and Chicago also admit a small share of applicants.
Therefore, a high LSAT score does not guarantee admission.
Law Schools With 173 LSAT Scores
Several major law schools report a 173 median LSAT score.
They include:
- Columbia Law School
- Cornell Law School
- Northwestern Pritzker School of Law
- University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School
- Stanford Law School
- University of Virginia School of Law
These schools also report strong academic profiles.
Their median undergraduate GPAs range from 3.92 to 3.99.
As a result, applicants face intense competition.
A 173 LSAT score can strengthen an application. However, students still need strong grades and other credentials.
Other Top Schools With High LSAT Scores
NYU and Texas Reach 172
New York University School of Law and the University of Texas School of Law report 172 median LSAT scores.
Both schools have competitive admissions.
NYU has an acceptance rate of about 13.4%. Texas reports a rate near 14%.
Several Schools Report a 171 Median
Several other top law schools report a 171 median LSAT
score.
They include:
- Duke University School of Law
- Georgetown University Law Center
- University of Michigan Law School
- UCLA School of Law
- University of Minnesota Law School
Additionally, several schools report median scores of 170.
They include Boston University, Berkeley Law, Notre Dame Law School, Vanderbilt Law School, and BYU’s J. Reuben Clark Law School.
What Do These LSAT Scores Mean?
A high median LSAT score shows that a school attracts strong applicants.
However, the median is not an admissions cutoff.
For example, a 172 score may match the median at one school. At another, it may fall below the median.
Admissions teams also review GPA, essays, recommendations, and experience.
Furthermore, students should look beyond LSAT scores.
Employment results and bar passage rates matter. So do tuition, scholarships, and location.
LSAT Scores Are Only One Factor
The 2026 data highlights the competition at leading U.S. law schools.
Washington University leads the list with a 175 median LSAT sco
re. Other elite schools report medians of 174 or 173.
Still, students should not build their plans around one number.
A strong LSAT score can improve an application. However, a well-rounded profile remains important.
Therefore, applicants should research each school’s admissions standards and career outcomes.
The school with the highest LSAT median may not be the right choice for every student.
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Best Law Schools With the Highest LSAT Scores in 2026 first appeared on
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