If you are targeting a top law school, the T14 is the benchmark everyone talks about. These are the 14 (now effectively 17, following 2025 ranking changes) schools that have historically dominated the top tier of U.S. News law school rankings — and the ones that open doors to BigLaw, federal clerkships, and elite legal careers.
But what LSAT score do you actually need? This guide gives you the real numbers — median, 25th percentile, and 75th percentile LSAT scores — for every T14 law school, sourced from ABA 509 Required Disclosures.
Enter your current score into our LSAT score calculator to see your percentile and which of these schools are within reach right now.
What Are the T14 Law Schools?
The “T14” refers to the top 14 law schools in the U.S. News & World Report annual rankings. The group has been remarkably stable for decades, though the 2025 rankings caused disruption — a four-way tie at #14 effectively expanded the group. The traditional T14 includes:
- Yale Law School
- Harvard Law School
- Stanford Law School
- Columbia Law School
- University of Chicago Law School
- New York University School of Law
- University of Pennsylvania (Carey) Law School
- University of Virginia School of Law
- Duke University School of Law
- University of Michigan Law School
- Northwestern Pritzker School of Law
- Georgetown University Law Center
- University of California, Berkeley (Boalt Hall)
- University of Texas at Austin School of Law
Getting into any of these schools with a scholarship puts you in a genuinely elite position in the legal profession. But the LSAT thresholds vary significantly across the group.
T14 Law School LSAT Score Chart (2025–2026)
The numbers below come from ABA 509 Required Disclosures — the most accurate public source for law school admissions data. The 25th and 75th percentile scores represent the range of enrolled students at each school.
| Law School | 25th Percentile LSAT | Median LSAT | 75th Percentile LSAT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yale Law School | 173 | 174 | 177 |
| Harvard Law School | 171 | 174 | 176 |
| Stanford Law School | 172 | 174 | 176 |
| Columbia Law School | 171 | 174 | 176 |
| University of Chicago | 170 | 173 | 175 |
| NYU School of Law | 169 | 172 | 174 |
| UPenn Carey Law | 169 | 171 | 173 |
| University of Virginia | 168 | 171 | 173 |
| Duke Law School | 168 | 170 | 172 |
| University of Michigan | 168 | 171 | 173 |
| Northwestern Pritzker | 167 | 170 | 173 |
| Georgetown Law | 164 | 168 | 170 |
| UC Berkeley (Boalt) | 168 | 170 | 173 |
| UT Austin School of Law | 166 | 168 | 171 |
Data based on ABA 509 Required Disclosures. Figures may vary slightly year to year. Always verify with the school’s most recent ABA disclosure.
What These Numbers Actually Mean for Your Application
Admissions offices use these three numbers to understand their class composition — and you should use them the same way. Here is how to read your position:
If Your Score Is Above the 75th Percentile
You are a numerical asset to that school. Admission is not guaranteed — holistic factors still matter — but you significantly strengthen the school’s median and ranking metrics. At this level, you should also be in serious scholarship conversations, even at elite schools.
If Your Score Is at the Median
You are competitive. Your GPA, personal statement, letters of recommendation, and work experience will carry more weight in determining the outcome. A median score with a 3.9 GPA is a strong application at most T14 schools.
If Your Score Is at the 25th Percentile
Admission is possible but requires an exceptional application elsewhere. Schools regularly admit students below their 25th percentile LSAT — but those applicants typically have extraordinary credentials, unique backgrounds, or other compelling factors.
If Your Score Is Below the 25th Percentile
You face a significant numbers disadvantage. A retake is worth considering before applying. Read our guide on whether to retake the LSAT to think through that decision strategically.
The T6 vs. the Rest of the T14
There is an important distinction within the T14: the T6 (Yale, Harvard, Stanford, Columbia, Chicago, NYU) and everyone else.
The T6 schools are the most selective in the country. Their medians cluster around 172–174, and their 25th percentile scores start at 169–171. A score below 170 faces a steep uphill climb at these schools regardless of other application factors.
The lower T14 — Georgetown, Berkeley, UT Austin, Northwestern — have more variation. Georgetown’s median is 168; UT Austin’s is also 168. At these schools, a score of 165–167 combined with a strong GPA and compelling application can be genuinely competitive.
LSAT Score Is Not the Only Factor — But It Is the Biggest One
T14 schools use holistic review, which means every part of your application matters. Work experience, undergraduate prestige, GPA, diversity, writing quality, and recommendation letters all factor into admissions decisions.
That said, the LSAT is the most heavily weighted single factor. A 174 with a 3.5 GPA has historically outperformed a 165 with a 3.9 at most T14 schools. If you are choosing between more prep time and submitting now, the data consistently favors taking the time to improve your score.
For more on what makes a strong overall application, see our guide to what constitutes a good LSAT score across all law school tiers.
Should You Apply to Multiple T14 Schools?
Yes — if your score is competitive at several schools in the group, apply broadly within the tier. T14 schools are highly selective and outcomes are unpredictable even for strong applicants. Applying to 6–10 schools in your competitive range is standard practice.
Use each school’s 25th, median, and 75th percentile data to categorize schools into reach, target, and likely tiers. Then build a balanced list that includes at least a few schools where your score is above the median.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum LSAT score for T14 law schools?
There is no hard minimum, but in practice you need at least a 164–165 to have a realistic shot at the lower T14 schools (Georgetown, UT Austin). For the T6, scores below 169–170 face very long odds regardless of other qualifications.
Can I get into a T14 school with a 165 LSAT?
Yes, at some schools. Georgetown and UT Austin have medians of 168, making 165 below but not far off. With an exceptional GPA (3.8+) and compelling application, admission is possible. Above Georgetown and UT Austin in the rankings, a 165 faces more difficult odds.
Does GPA or LSAT matter more for T14 admissions?
Both matter, but most research and anecdotal evidence from admissions professionals suggests the LSAT carries slightly more weight, particularly at schools with tight ranking metrics. A 3-point LSAT improvement typically has more impact than a 0.1 GPA improvement.
What LSAT score do I need for Harvard Law?
Harvard’s median LSAT is 174, with a 25th percentile of 171 and a 75th of 176. Aim for 171 or higher to be a competitive applicant. For a full breakdown, see our dedicated guide to the LSAT score needed for Harvard Law School.
Are T14 rankings stable?
Mostly, but not entirely. The 2025 U.S. News rankings brought a four-way tie at #14 that effectively expanded the group. Cornell, which was previously in the T14, dropped out of the top tier in those rankings. Always check the most current rankings before finalizing your school list.
Do T14 schools accept the GRE instead of the LSAT?
Yes — all T14 schools now accept the GRE as an alternative to the LSAT. However, most applicants still submit LSAT scores, and some admissions officers have indicated a preference for LSAT scores because they are more directly comparable within the law school applicant pool.
The Bottom Line
Getting into a T14 law school requires serious LSAT preparation. The median scores at these schools range from 168 to 174 — all well above the national average of 152. Your realistic target is the median of your top-choice school, ideally the 75th percentile.
See where your current score stands by using our free LSAT score calculator. It shows your percentile, your school-tier fit, and whether a retake makes sense — in seconds, with no sign-up required.