The Most Selective Law Schools in the US, Ranked

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Demand for lawyers is projected to grow rapidly in the coming years. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for attorneys is expected to increase by 8% between 2022 and 2032 -- eclipsing the 3% projected employment growth across all occupations. The latest numbers from the American Bar Association show that there will likely be no shortage of qualified candidates to fill these jobs.

After climbing for each of the last four years, the number of graduates from American law schools rose by 6% between 2019 and 2022, from 33,954 to 36,078. Rising interest in the profession is likely driven not only by a growing need for legal services, but also by financial incentives. The median salary among lawyers in the U.S. was $145,760 in May 2023, more than triple the typical salary across all occupations of $48,060. (Here is a look at the highest paying jobs that do not require a bachelor's degree. )

In recent years, most law school graduates have been hired by law firms -- but those with a JD are by no means confined to a career in the courtroom. A law school education confers a specialized skill set with a broad range of applications, and according to the ABA, nearly 30% of the 2022 graduating class took jobs in business, government, public interest, or education.

But as is the case with undergraduate institutions, graduates of top-tier law schools have a definitive edge in the job market, and are more likely to receive offers for high-prestige, high-salary jobs. Because of the advantages they offer, the best law schools tend to be highly selective when it comes to the admissions process.

Using data from the ABA , 24/7 Wall St. identified the 50 hardest law schools to get into in the United States. Schools are ranked on an equally weighted index of three measures: the fall 2023 acceptance rate, median undergraduate GPA for new enrollees in the fall 2023 semester, and median LSAT score of new enrollees in fall 2023.

The 50 institutions on this list represent about one-quarter of all ABA accredited law schools in the United States. Among them, the share of applicants who were offered admission for fall 2023 ranges from about 40% to less than 6%. A proven record of academic achievement is a prerequisite for admission to these schools, as across all 50, the majority of students who enrolled in fall 2023 had an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.7 out of 4.0. (Here is a look at the 50 hardest colleges and universities to get into. )

The quality of education offered at these schools is evidenced, in part, by the share of graduates who pass the bar -- a two-day competence test law school graduates must pass in order to be a licensed practitioner. Among the 50 schools on this list, the share of graduates who passed the bar on their first attempt in 2023 exceeds the 79.2% passage rate across all ABA recognized law schools.

Why It Matters

Law school is a major investment of both time and money -- but those with a JD who are licensed to practice law have access to some of the most secure and high-paying jobs in the United States. Still, for those pursuing a legal education, the school they enroll in can have considerable bearing on their career prospects. Starting, private-sector salaries for graduates of the highest-ranked law schools often exceed $200,000 -- and it is no coincidence that eight of the nine sitting Supreme Court justices got their legal education at either Harvard or Yale. For any top-tier law school, the admissions process is highly competitive.

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