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.
Quick answer: Notre Dame Law’s median LSAT is 170, with a 25th percentile of 166 and a 75th percentile of 171. Its median GPA is 3.89. A 170 is about the 94th percentile among all test takers. These are the 2025 ABA 509 numbers.
Notre Dame Law LSAT Score and GPA Data
| Metric | 2025 Value |
|---|---|
| 25th Percentile LSAT | 166 |
| Median LSAT | 170 |
| 75th Percentile LSAT | 171 |
| 25th Percentile GPA | 3.78 |
| Median GPA | 3.89 |
| 75th Percentile GPA | 3.95 |
| First-Year Class Size | 185 |
| Acceptance Rate (2025) | 16.1% |
| Applications (2025) | 3,579 |
| Offers (2025) | 575 |
Most admitted students here scored 166 to 171. If you are below the 170 median, a 170+ scoring Odyssey tutor can build your plan around your weak spots.
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What are your odds at Notre Dame Law? Enter your LSAT and GPA in the law school admissions calculator, or check merit money with the scholarship calculator.
Notre Dame Law Acceptance Rate
Notre Dame Law’s acceptance rate was 16.1% for fall 2025. It made 575 offers from 3,579 applications, and 182 of those admitted students enrolled. That is below the 36.1% average, and it ranks 27th lowest of the 194 ABA schools with data. See all law school acceptance rates.
What LSAT Score Do You Need for Notre Dame Law?
- 171 or higher – Your LSAT is a clear strength and may support scholarship leverage.
- 170 to 171 – You are in a strong competitive range if your GPA and application materials are solid.
- 166 to 170 – You are plausible but below the median. The rest of your application matters more.
- Below 166 – Treat Notre Dame Law as a reach unless your GPA or background is exceptional.
Half of the entering class scored between 166 and 171. In GPA, the middle half ran from 3.78 to 3.95. If your GPA is below 3.89, aim above the median LSAT. Find your real number with the LSAC GPA calculator.
How Notre Dame Law Compares
| Law school | 25th | Median | 75th | Median GPA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BYU Law | 168 | 170 | 172 | 3.95 |
| Berkeley Law | 167 | 170 | 172 | 3.92 |
| Boston University Law | 164 | 170 | 171 | 3.88 |
| Notre Dame Law | 166 | 170 | 171 | 3.89 |
| Vanderbilt Law | 167 | 170 | 171 | 3.91 |
| Duke Law | 169 | 171 | 172 | 3.91 |
Should You Retake for Notre Dame Law?
If your current score is below 166, a retake is usually worth considering. If you are near 170, the decision depends on your GPA, timing, scholarship goals, and practice-test trend. Read should I retake the LSAT.
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.
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
Notre Dame Law LSAT FAQ
What LSAT score do you need for Notre Dame Law?
The median is 170. Aim for 170 or higher, and 171 or higher for your best scholarship odds.
What GPA do you need for Notre Dame Law?
The median GPA is 3.89, and the middle half of the class ran from 3.78 to 3.95.
How big is the class at Notre Dame Law?
The 2025 first-year class had 185 students.
The Bottom Line
For Notre Dame Law, aim for at least 166 to be inside the enrolled-student range, 170 to be competitive, and 171+ to make your LSAT a strength. See the top 100 law school LSAT chart.