Notre Dame Law LSAT Score: Requirements, Medians, and Admissions
Notre Dame Law School is consistently ranked among the top 20–25 law schools in the country. It has an exceptionally loyal alumni network, strong bar passage rates, and solid BigLaw and judicial clerkship placement for a non-T14 school. For applicants with LSAT scores in the mid-to-high 160s, Notre Dame is a strong target.
This guide covers Notre Dame’s LSAT requirements, admissions data, career outcomes, and application strategy.
Check your score against Notre Dame’s requirements with the free LSAT Score Calculator.
Notre Dame Law LSAT Score Requirements (2024–2025)
| Metric | Score |
|---|---|
| Median LSAT | 167 |
| 25th Percentile LSAT | 164 |
| 75th Percentile LSAT | 170 |
| Median GPA | 3.83 |
| 25th Percentile GPA | 3.60 |
| 75th Percentile GPA | 3.93 |
Data based on Notre Dame’s ABA 509 Required Disclosures. Verify against current LSAC data for the most up-to-date numbers.
What LSAT Score Do You Need for Notre Dame Law?
- Below 164: Below Notre Dame’s 25th percentile. Admission is very difficult without exceptional compensating factors.
- 164–166: You are in the 25th–50th percentile range. A strong GPA (3.80+) makes you a plausible applicant. Treat Notre Dame as a reach at this range.
- 167: At median. Your LSAT is competitive and other factors can determine admission.
- 168–170: Above median. You are a strong numerical candidate for Notre Dame.
- 171+: Above the 75th percentile. Notre Dame is a likely admit and scholarship leverage is real.
Notre Dame Law Acceptance Rate
Notre Dame’s acceptance rate is approximately 20–24%. The school admits a class of roughly 180–200 students. Despite its Catholic identity and Midwest location, it draws a national applicant pool and has strong name recognition across the country.
Notre Dame vs. Peer Schools
| School | Median LSAT | 25th Pct LSAT | US News Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgetown Law | 168 | 165 | ~14 |
| Vanderbilt Law | 168 | 165 | ~15 |
| Notre Dame Law | 167 | 164 | ~22 |
| Emory Law | 166 | 162 | ~25 |
| George Washington Law | 165 | 161 | ~25 |
| University of Minnesota Law | 163 | 159 | ~22 |
Notre Dame’s median of 167 sits between Georgetown/Vanderbilt (168) and Emory (166). It is a natural target for applicants who have Georgetown or Vanderbilt as reaches and want a strong safety T20–25 option.
Notre Dame Law Career Outcomes
- BigLaw: Notre Dame places approximately 35–40% of its graduates in large law firms. Placement is strong in Chicago, New York, and Washington D.C., and the Midwest legal market more broadly.
- Alumni network: Notre Dame’s alumni loyalty is legendary in the legal profession. The ND network is unusually tight-knit and actively helpful to graduates in job searches — a real career advantage that shows up in placement outcomes.
- Judicial clerkships: Notre Dame places a solid number of graduates into federal clerkships, particularly in the Seventh Circuit and Midwest federal district courts.
- Public interest: Notre Dame has a strong public interest and public service culture consistent with its Catholic mission. LRAP support is available for qualifying graduates.
Scholarship Potential at Notre Dame
Notre Dame offers merit scholarships competitively. With a 170+ LSAT and 3.85+ GPA, you are above the 75th percentile and a strong scholarship candidate. Awards of $20,000–$40,000 per year are realistic for top applicants. Some full-tuition scholarships are awarded.
Notre Dame is also known to negotiate financial aid offers. If you have a competing offer from a similarly ranked school (Vanderbilt, Georgetown, Emory), Notre Dame may match or improve it.
See the LSAT scholarship guide for more on financial aid negotiation strategy.
Is Notre Dame a Good Choice for Non-Catholics?
Yes. Notre Dame Law admits and welcomes students of all backgrounds and faiths. The Catholic identity shapes the school’s culture — there is a meaningful emphasis on public service and ethics — but it does not restrict who attends or who succeeds there. The alumni network benefits everyone who graduates, regardless of background.
Next Steps
Use the LSAT Score Calculator for your full school-tier picture. Then:
- Compare Vanderbilt Law — similar LSAT range, different geography and culture
- See Georgetown Law LSAT requirements as the next step up in LSAT range
- Read What Is a Good LSAT Score? for full score benchmarks
- Review whether to retake if you are near Notre Dame’s 25th percentile