LSAT Score 170+: What It Means and Where You Can Get In
A 170 LSAT score is exceptional. It places you in approximately the 97th–98th percentile — meaning you scored higher than 97–98% of all test-takers. This is the threshold that puts every law school in the country within reach, including Yale, Harvard, Stanford, and the rest of the T14.
This guide covers exactly what a 170+ means, which schools you should target, how to approach your application, and what kind of scholarships are realistic at this score level.
Check your exact percentile with the free LSAT Score Calculator.
What Percentile Is a 170 LSAT Score?
| LSAT Score | Approximate Percentile |
|---|---|
| 165 | ~92nd |
| 167 | ~94th |
| 169 | ~96th |
| 170 | ~97th |
| 172 | ~98th |
| 174 | ~99th |
| 175 | ~99th |
| 180 | ~99.9th (perfect) |
See the complete picture in the full LSAT percentile chart.
T14 Law School Medians and How 170+ Fits
The T14 — the top 14 law schools by US News ranking — are the primary target for most 170+ scorers. Here is where each school’s median LSAT sits and how 170+ compares:
| School | Median LSAT | 75th Pct LSAT | 170 vs. Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yale Law | 174 | 176 | Below median |
| Harvard Law | 174 | 176 | Below median |
| Stanford Law | 174 | 176 | Below median |
| Columbia Law | 174 | 175 | Below median |
| University of Chicago | 174 | 175 | Below median |
| NYU School of Law | 173 | 175 | Below median |
| Penn Carey Law | 172 | 174 | Below median |
| Duke Law | 172 | 174 | Below median |
| Northwestern Pritzker | 172 | 174 | Below median |
| Virginia Law | 172 | 174 | Below median |
| Michigan Law | 171 | 173 | Near median |
| Cornell Law | 170 | 172 | At median |
| Georgetown Law | 168 | 171 | Above median |
| UT Austin Law | 170 | 172 | At median |
A 170 puts you at or above median at Cornell, Georgetown, and UT Austin. It puts you meaningfully in play at Michigan. For HYS (Harvard, Yale, Stanford) and CCNY (Columbia, Chicago, NYU), a 170 is competitive but below median — so GPA, essays, and other factors carry extra weight.
Is a 170 Enough for Harvard, Yale, or Stanford?
Yes — a 170 is enough to apply seriously to HYS, but it is not a guarantee. These schools are holistic and reject applicants with perfect 180s regularly if the rest of the application does not stand out.
Yale Law’s acceptance rate is approximately 5–6%. Harvard and Stanford are 10–12%. Even with a 170, your undergraduate GPA, personal statement, letters of recommendation, and any unique background or work experience all matter substantially.
A 170 with a 3.9+ GPA gives you a realistic — though far from certain — shot at all three. A 170 with a 3.5 GPA is more competitive at Georgetown, Michigan, and Cornell than at HYS.
Scholarship Potential with a 170+
A 170+ score gives you exceptional scholarship leverage — not just at T14 schools but at the broader T25 and T50.
If you apply to schools where your 170+ puts you above their 75th percentile, you become one of their most desirable applicants. Full-tuition or near-full-tuition scholarships at schools ranked 15–30 are very realistic with a 170+.
Example strategy: Use a 170+ to generate a full-ride offer from a school ranked 15–25, then use that offer as leverage when negotiating with higher-ranked schools.
- Boston University School of Law — median ~165; a 170+ puts you well above the 75th percentile, strong scholarship candidate
- Emory University School of Law — median ~166; similar leverage
- George Washington University Law — median ~165
- Vanderbilt Law — median ~168; 170 is near the 75th percentile, scholarship possible
- Notre Dame Law — median ~167; 170 above median, scholarship leverage
Read the full LSAT scholarship guide for strategy on negotiating financial aid offers.
Application Strategy for 170+ Scorers
Apply broadly at the top
Even with a 170+, the very top schools admit fewer than 15% of applicants. Apply to all the T14 schools that fit your career goals — application fees are worth it at this score level. Do not self-select out of schools where you have a real shot.
Include scholarship targets
Your list should include 2–3 schools ranked 15–30 where your numbers put you above the 75th percentile. These schools will compete for you. That competition creates leverage — both for your actual enrollment decision and as a negotiating chip.
Do not neglect your essays
With so many applicants at 170+, non-score factors differentiate. A generic personal statement costs you. A distinctive one — with a clear, specific narrative that adds something your resume does not — can be decisive.
Consider applying early decision
Several T14 schools — including Yale, Columbia, and Penn — have binding early decision programs. Applying ED signals strong commitment and can improve admission odds. If one school is clearly your top choice and you can afford to commit, ED is worth considering.
What Careers Does a 170+ Open?
A 170+ LSAT, combined with a T14 degree, opens the full range of legal career paths:
- BigLaw — T14 schools place 50–80% of their graduates in large law firms. Starting salaries at Big Law firms are $230,000+ in major markets.
- Federal clerkships — Among the most prestigious early-career positions. Federal district and circuit court clerkships are accessible from T14 schools with strong academic records.
- Government and public interest — DOJ, SEC, FTC, public defenders, non-profits. T14 schools have loan repayment assistance programs (LRAP) for graduates going into public service.
- Academia — Law school teaching pipelines almost exclusively run through T14 schools and federal clerkships.
170 vs. 175: Does It Matter?
For most schools, the practical difference between a 170 and a 175 is smaller than many test-takers assume. Both are exceptional scores. The main context where the difference matters:
- Yale, Harvard, Stanford: Their median is 174. A 175 is above median; a 170 is below. At extreme selectivity levels, this margin can affect admission odds slightly.
- Scholarship at T14: A 175 gives you more leverage for merit scholarship at schools like Cornell, Georgetown, or Michigan than a 170 does.
If you scored 170–172 and are targeting HYS, a retake to push toward 174+ is a reasonable consideration — but only if practice tests show that you have meaningful room left. If 170 is your ceiling on PTs, do not retake hoping for a different outcome.
Next Steps
Run your score through the LSAT Score Calculator to see your percentile and school-tier breakdown. Then:
- Read What Is a Good LSAT Score? to understand how your score compares across all test-takers
- Explore LSAT and Law School Scholarships to understand your scholarship leverage
- See LSAT Score 160 and LSAT Score 155 for context on how 170+ compares to other score bands