Stanford Law School is one of the three most prestigious law schools in the world — part of the “HYS” tier alongside Harvard and Yale. With the smallest class size of any elite law school, one of the most selective admissions processes, and exceptional career outcomes across every legal field, Stanford represents the pinnacle of law school admissions.
This guide covers Stanford’s LSAT requirements, admissions data, what makes a competitive application, and how to think about applying. See what it takes to reach the top LSAT score of 180.
See where your score stands with the free LSAT Score Calculator.
Quick answer: Stanford Law’s median LSAT is 173, with a 25th percentile of 171 and a 75th percentile of 176. Its median GPA is 3.96. A 173 is about the 98th percentile among all test takers. These are the 2025 ABA 509 numbers.
Stanford Law LSAT Score and GPA Data
| Metric | 2025 Value |
|---|---|
| 25th Percentile LSAT | 171 |
| Median LSAT | 173 |
| 75th Percentile LSAT | 176 |
| 25th Percentile GPA | 3.87 |
| Median GPA | 3.96 |
| 75th Percentile GPA | 4.00 |
| First-Year Class Size | 193 |
| Acceptance Rate (2025) | 6.1% |
| Applications (2025) | 5,526 |
| Offers (2025) | 337 |
Most admitted students here scored 171 to 176. If you are below the 173 median, a 170+ scoring Odyssey tutor can build your plan around your weak spots.
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What are your odds at Stanford Law? Enter your LSAT and GPA in the law school admissions calculator, or check merit money with the scholarship calculator.
Stanford Law Acceptance Rate
Stanford Law’s acceptance rate was 6.1% for fall 2025. It made 337 offers from 5,526 applications, and 173 of those admitted students enrolled. That is below the 36.1% average, and it ranks 2nd lowest of the 194 ABA schools with data. See all law school acceptance rates.
What LSAT Score Do You Need for Stanford Law?
- 176 or higher – Your LSAT is a clear strength and may support scholarship leverage.
- 173 to 176 – You are in a strong competitive range if your GPA and application materials are solid.
- 171 to 173 – You are plausible but below the median. The rest of your application matters more.
- Below 171 – Treat Stanford Law as a reach unless your GPA or background is exceptional.
Half of the entering class scored between 171 and 176. In GPA, the middle half ran from 3.87 to 4.00. If your GPA is below 3.96, aim above the median LSAT. Find your real number with the LSAC GPA calculator.
How Stanford Law Compares
| Law school | 25th | Median | 75th | Median GPA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia Law | 169 | 173 | 175 | 3.92 |
| Cornell Law | 168 | 173 | 175 | 3.92 |
| Northwestern Law | 167 | 173 | 175 | 3.96 |
| Penn Carey Law | 167 | 173 | 174 | 3.95 |
| Stanford Law | 171 | 173 | 176 | 3.96 |
| UVA Law | 168 | 173 | 175 | 3.99 |
Should You Retake for Stanford Law?
If your current score is below 171, a retake is usually worth considering. If you are near 173, the decision depends on your GPA, timing, scholarship goals, and practice-test trend. Read should I retake the LSAT.
Stanford Law Career Outcomes
- Technology and startup law: Stanford’s Palo Alto location gives it unmatched proximity to Silicon Valley. Graduates who want to work in tech company law, venture capital, or startup ecosystems have an advantage no other law school can match.
- BigLaw: Stanford places approximately 50–55% of graduates in large law firms — a lower rate than Columbia or NYU, reflecting Stanford graduates’ broader career choices (many go into tech, government, or public interest rather than BigLaw).
- Federal clerkships and SCOTUS: Stanford has one of the highest SCOTUS clerkship placement rates of any law school. Federal circuit clerkships are very accessible.
- Entrepreneurship and policy: Stanford graduates disproportionately found companies, join policy organizations, and enter non-traditional legal careers. The school’s proximity to Stanford University creates unique interdisciplinary opportunities.
- Public interest: Stanford has an extremely robust LRAP and a strong public interest culture. Many students choose careers in civil rights, environmental law, and international human rights.
What Makes a Strong Stanford Application Beyond LSAT?
Stanford is known for the most holistic admissions process among HYS schools. Its small class size means every admitted student brings something distinctive. Beyond LSAT and GPA:
- Distinctive background or achievement: Unusual work experience, research, publications, entrepreneurship, public service, or advocacy that few other applicants can claim
- Intellectual curiosity: Stanford values applicants who are genuinely curious and have pursued ideas beyond academic requirements
- Diversity of perspective: Stanford’s small class benefits from broad diversity of background, field, geography, and viewpoint
- Clear purpose: A compelling, specific story for why law and why Stanford — not generic ambition, but a genuine connection between past experience and future legal goal
Stanford’s essay requirements are among the most demanding of any law school. Treat them accordingly.
Stanford Law LSAT FAQ
What LSAT score do you need for Stanford Law?
The median is 173. Aim for 173 or higher, and 176 or higher for your best scholarship odds.
What GPA do you need for Stanford Law?
The median GPA is 3.96, and the middle half of the class ran from 3.87 to 4.00.
How big is the class at Stanford Law?
The 2025 first-year class had 193 students.
The Bottom Line
For Stanford Law, aim for at least 171 to be inside the enrolled-student range, 173 to be competitive, and 176+ to make your LSAT a strength. See the top 100 law school LSAT chart.