Columbia Law School is one of the most prestigious law schools in the world and a core member of the T6 — the six most elite law schools in the United States. Located in New York City, it offers unmatched access to Wall Street, international law, finance, and media industries. For applicants targeting the very top tier of legal education, Columbia is a central target.
This guide covers Columbia’s LSAT requirements, admissions data, career outcomes, and what it takes to build a competitive application.
See where your score stands with the free LSAT Score Calculator.
Quick answer: Columbia Law’s median LSAT is 173, with a 25th percentile of 169 and a 75th percentile of 175. Its median GPA is 3.92. A 173 is about the 98th percentile among all test takers. These are the 2025 ABA 509 numbers.
Columbia Law LSAT Score and GPA Data
| Metric | 2025 Value |
|---|---|
| 25th Percentile LSAT | 169 |
| Median LSAT | 173 |
| 75th Percentile LSAT | 175 |
| 25th Percentile GPA | 3.85 |
| Median GPA | 3.92 |
| 75th Percentile GPA | 3.98 |
| First-Year Class Size | 444 |
| Acceptance Rate (2025) | 11.8% |
| Applications (2025) | 9,463 |
| Offers (2025) | 1,120 |
Most admitted students here scored 169 to 175. 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 Columbia Law? Enter your LSAT and GPA in the law school admissions calculator, or check merit money with the scholarship calculator.
Columbia Law Acceptance Rate
Columbia Law’s acceptance rate was 11.8% for fall 2025. It made 1,120 offers from 9,463 applications, and 411 of those admitted students enrolled. That is below the 36.1% average, and it ranks 11th lowest of the 194 ABA schools with data. See all law school acceptance rates.
What LSAT Score Do You Need for Columbia Law?
- 175 or higher – Your LSAT is a clear strength and may support scholarship leverage.
- 173 to 175 – You are in a strong competitive range if your GPA and application materials are solid.
- 169 to 173 – You are plausible but below the median. The rest of your application matters more.
- Below 169 – Treat Columbia Law as a reach unless your GPA or background is exceptional.
Half of the entering class scored between 169 and 175. In GPA, the middle half ran from 3.85 to 3.98. If your GPA is below 3.92, aim above the median LSAT. Find your real number with the LSAC GPA calculator.
How Columbia 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 Columbia Law?
If your current score is below 169, 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.
Columbia Law Career Outcomes
Columbia Law produces some of the best career outcomes of any law school in the country:
- BigLaw: Columbia places approximately 70–75% of its graduates in large law firms — among the highest rates of any law school. Its New York City location gives graduates direct access to the largest legal market in the world.
- Finance and transactions: Columbia is the top law school for graduates pursuing careers in private equity, M&A, leveraged finance, and securities — areas centered in New York where relationships with Wall Street firms are uniquely strong.
- International law: Columbia’s global perspective and international alumni network make it exceptional for international arbitration, trade law, and cross-border transactions.
- Federal clerkships: Columbia places graduates into federal circuit and district clerkships. SCOTUS clerkships are accessible from Columbia, particularly via the HLS-CLS pipeline.
- Academia: Columbia produces a significant share of legal academics, particularly in corporate law and international law.
Columbia Law LSAT FAQ
What LSAT score do you need for Columbia Law?
The median is 173. Aim for 173 or higher, and 175 or higher for your best scholarship odds.
What GPA do you need for Columbia Law?
The median GPA is 3.92, and the middle half of the class ran from 3.85 to 3.98.
How big is the class at Columbia Law?
The 2025 first-year class had 444 students.
The Bottom Line
For Columbia Law, aim for at least 169 to be inside the enrolled-student range, 173 to be competitive, and 175+ to make your LSAT a strength. See the top 100 law school LSAT chart.