Quick answer: a 165 LSAT is at or above the 25th percentile at 175 of the 196 ABA law schools, and at or above the median at 153. No school has a hard cut off, but those are the schools where a 165 is inside or above the normal range. Your GPA matters too.
Where a 165 LSAT Fits
| Position | Number of schools |
|---|---|
| At or above the 75th percentile | 137 |
| Between the median and 75th | 16 |
| Between the 25th and median | 22 |
| Below the 25th | 21 |
Law Schools Closest to a 165 LSAT
These are the 25 schools whose medians are nearest to 165, where 165 falls inside the range:
| Law school | 25th | Median | 75th | GPA | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona State Law | 158 | 165 | 167 | 3.91 | 19.8% |
| Cardozo Law | 162 | 165 | 167 | 3.78 | 29.6% |
| Temple Law | 162 | 165 | 168 | 3.76 | 24.4% |
| University of Washington Law | 162 | 165 | 167 | 3.76 | 19.6% |
| UC Davis Law | 160 | 165 | 167 | 3.70 | 16.0% |
| Florida State Law | 158 | 166 | 167 | 3.93 | 16.0% |
| Indiana Maurer Law | 158 | 164 | 166 | 3.91 | 35.8% |
| Tennessee Law | 160 | 164 | 166 | 3.89 | 24.8% |
| Wayne State Law | 157 | 164 | 166 | 3.89 | 24.8% |
| Utah Law | 162 | 166 | 168 | 3.87 | 25.3% |
| Pepperdine Caruso Law | 161 | 164 | 167 | 3.85 | 23.4% |
| Emory Law | 162 | 166 | 168 | 3.82 | 30.1% |
| William & Mary Law | 161 | 166 | 167 | 3.82 | 22.0% |
| Illinois Law | 160 | 166 | 168 | 3.81 | 32.9% |
| Colorado Law | 161 | 164 | 167 | 3.81 | 27.6% |
| Richmond Law | 159 | 164 | 167 | 3.81 | 39.6% |
| St. John’s Law | 156 | 164 | 166 | 3.81 | 23.0% |
| Villanova Law | 159 | 164 | 166 | 3.80 | 25.9% |
| Wake Forest Law | 163 | 166 | 168 | 3.79 | 24.6% |
| Northeastern Law | 161 | 164 | 166 | 3.77 | 24.2% |
| Maryland Law | 156 | 164 | 166 | 3.72 | 26.1% |
| Alabama Law | 161 | 167 | 168 | 3.97 | 25.6% |
| SMU Dedman Law | 163 | 167 | 168 | 3.81 | 24.6% |
| Wisconsin Law | 161 | 167 | 169 | 3.81 | 19.1% |
| Washington and Lee Law | 161 | 167 | 168 | 3.75 | 22.7% |
Numbers come from the 2025 ABA 509 data. Want a shorter list? See the best law schools for a 165 LSAT. Want your own odds? Add your GPA in the admissions calculator.
Should You Apply With a 165 or Retake?
Compare the 165 with your practice scores and with your top schools. If you have room to grow and your schools sit a few points higher, a retake can open more doors and bring more scholarship money. See the 165 LSAT score guide and should I retake the LSAT.
FAQ
What law schools accept a 165 LSAT?
No school has a strict cut off, but a 165 is at or above the 25th percentile at 175 ABA schools.
Can I get scholarships with a 165?
A 165 is at or above the 75th percentile at 137 schools, which is where merit money is most likely. Try the scholarship calculator.
Does my GPA change this?
Yes. A GPA above a school’s median helps, and one below it may mean you need a higher LSAT.