Vanderbilt Law LSAT Score: Requirements, Medians, and Admissions
Vanderbilt Law School is ranked in the top 15–18 law schools nationally and is one of the most prominent law schools in the South. It offers strong BigLaw placement, a tight-knit community, and lower cost of living than coastal T14 schools. For applicants with scores in the high 160s, Vanderbilt is a key benchmark school.
This guide covers Vanderbilt’s LSAT requirements, GPA medians, acceptance rate, and what makes a strong application.
Check where your score stands with the free LSAT Score Calculator.
Vanderbilt Law LSAT Score Requirements (2024–2025)
| Metric | Score |
|---|---|
| Median LSAT | 168 |
| 25th Percentile LSAT | 165 |
| 75th Percentile LSAT | 171 |
| Median GPA | 3.85 |
| 25th Percentile GPA | 3.65 |
| 75th Percentile GPA | 3.96 |
Data from Vanderbilt’s ABA 509 Required Disclosures. Always verify against the current cycle’s LSAC data.
What LSAT Score Do You Need for Vanderbilt Law?
- Below 165: Below Vanderbilt’s 25th percentile. Very difficult admission without exceptional compensating factors.
- 165–167: In the 25th–50th percentile range. A strong GPA (3.85+) and excellent application materials make you a competitive applicant. Treat Vanderbilt as a reach.
- 168: At median. Your LSAT is not working against you. Other application elements can carry you across the line.
- 169–171: Above median, approaching the 75th percentile. You are a numerically strong candidate.
- 172+: Above the 75th percentile. Vanderbilt is a realistic target and scholarship leverage is meaningful.
Vanderbilt Law Acceptance Rate
Vanderbilt’s acceptance rate is approximately 20–23%. It admits a class of roughly 180 students, which is smaller than Georgetown but larger than many elite private schools. The combination of strong LSAT medians with a moderate acceptance rate reflects growing application volume.
How Vanderbilt Compares to Peer Schools
| School | Median LSAT | 25th Pct LSAT | US News Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duke Law | 172 | 169 | ~10 |
| Cornell Law | 170 | 167 | ~13 |
| Georgetown Law | 168 | 165 | ~14 |
| Vanderbilt Law | 168 | 165 | ~15 |
| Notre Dame Law | 167 | 164 | ~22 |
| Emory Law | 166 | 162 | ~25 |
| Boston University Law | 165 | 162 | ~25 |
Vanderbilt’s median LSAT matches Georgetown’s — both at 168 — making them natural pairing schools for applicants in that score range. The key difference is geographic placement and culture: Georgetown excels in D.C. government and regulatory work; Vanderbilt has strong national BigLaw placement despite its Nashville location.
Vanderbilt Law Career Outcomes
- BigLaw: Approximately 45–55% of Vanderbilt graduates enter large law firms. Placement is strong in New York, Atlanta, Washington D.C., and Nashville — giving graduates geographic flexibility uncommon for a regional school.
- Federal clerkships: Vanderbilt places graduates into federal clerkships at meaningful rates, including some circuit court placements.
- Cost of living advantage: Vanderbilt’s Nashville location offers significantly lower cost of living than New York or San Francisco. Graduates who stay in the Southeast can live well on lower starting salaries than coastal markets require.
- Public interest: Vanderbilt has an LRAP program for graduates entering qualifying public service roles.
Scholarship Potential at Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt uses merit scholarships competitively to attract high-scoring applicants. If your LSAT is at or above the 75th percentile (171+), scholarship awards of $15,000–$30,000 per year are realistic. With a 174+ and strong GPA, full or near-full tuition scholarships have been awarded.
Vanderbilt is also a strong scholarship negotiation partner — if you have a competing offer from a school at a similar rank (Georgetown, Notre Dame, Emory), Vanderbilt may match or improve the offer to compete for you.
Read the full LSAT scholarship guide for negotiation strategy.
Is Vanderbilt a Good Value Law School?
Vanderbilt’s tuition is roughly in line with other private T20 schools (~$67,000/year), but its lower cost of living and strong BigLaw placement create favorable economics compared to schools of similar rank. Debt-to-income ratios for BigLaw graduates are manageable; for public interest graduates, LRAP provides meaningful relief.
For applicants choosing between Vanderbilt and a higher-ranked school (Cornell, Georgetown) with similar or higher tuition, the decision often comes down to geography and scholarship offers rather than career outcome differences — which are more similar than the rankings gap suggests.
Next Steps
Use the LSAT Score Calculator to see your full school-tier breakdown. Then:
- Compare Georgetown Law LSAT requirements — similar median, different placement strengths
- See Notre Dame Law LSAT requirements as another strong T20–25 option in this range
- Read LSAT Score 170+ if you are targeting upper T14 schools
- Explore LSAT and scholarships to understand Vanderbilt’s financial aid landscape