Vanderbilt Law School is ranked in the top 15–18 law schools nationally and is one of the most prominent law schools in the South. It offers strong BigLaw placement, a tight-knit community, and lower cost of living than coastal T14 schools. For applicants with scores in the high 160s, Vanderbilt is a key benchmark school.
This guide covers Vanderbilt’s LSAT requirements, GPA medians, acceptance rate, and what makes a strong application.
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Quick answer: Vanderbilt Law’s median LSAT is 170, with a 25th percentile of 167 and a 75th percentile of 171. Its median GPA is 3.91. A 170 is about the 94th percentile among all test takers. These are the 2025 ABA 509 numbers.
Vanderbilt Law LSAT Score and GPA Data
| Metric | 2025 Value |
|---|---|
| 25th Percentile LSAT | 167 |
| Median LSAT | 170 |
| 75th Percentile LSAT | 171 |
| 25th Percentile GPA | 3.77 |
| Median GPA | 3.91 |
| 75th Percentile GPA | 3.97 |
| First-Year Class Size | 172 |
| Acceptance Rate (2025) | 13.3% |
| Applications (2025) | 6,124 |
| Offers (2025) | 812 |
Most admitted students here scored 167 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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Vanderbilt Law Acceptance Rate
Vanderbilt Law’s acceptance rate was 13.3% for fall 2025. It made 812 offers from 6,124 applications, and 170 of those admitted students enrolled. That is below the 36.1% average, and it ranks 18th lowest of the 194 ABA schools with data. See all law school acceptance rates.
What LSAT Score Do You Need for Vanderbilt 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.
- 167 to 170 – You are plausible but below the median. The rest of your application matters more.
- Below 167 – Treat Vanderbilt Law as a reach unless your GPA or background is exceptional.
Half of the entering class scored between 167 and 171. In GPA, the middle half ran from 3.77 to 3.97. If your GPA is below 3.91, aim above the median LSAT. Find your real number with the LSAC GPA calculator.
How Vanderbilt 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 Vanderbilt Law?
If your current score is below 167, 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.
Vanderbilt Law Career Outcomes
- BigLaw: Approximately 45–55% of Vanderbilt graduates enter large law firms. Placement is strong in New York, Atlanta, Washington D.C., and Nashville — giving graduates geographic flexibility uncommon for a regional school.
- Federal clerkships: Vanderbilt places graduates into federal clerkships at meaningful rates, including some circuit court placements.
- Cost of living advantage: Vanderbilt’s Nashville location offers significantly lower cost of living than New York or San Francisco. Graduates who stay in the Southeast can live well on lower starting salaries than coastal markets require.
- Public interest: Vanderbilt has an LRAP program for graduates entering qualifying public service roles.
Is Vanderbilt a Good Value Law School?
Vanderbilt’s tuition is roughly in line with other private T20 schools (~$67,000/year), but its lower cost of living and strong BigLaw placement create favorable economics compared to schools of similar rank. Debt-to-income ratios for BigLaw graduates are manageable; for public interest graduates, LRAP provides meaningful relief.
For applicants choosing between Vanderbilt and a higher-ranked school (Cornell, Georgetown) with similar or higher tuition, the decision often comes down to geography and scholarship offers rather than career outcome differences — which are more similar than the rankings gap suggests.
Vanderbilt Law LSAT FAQ
What LSAT score do you need for Vanderbilt 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 Vanderbilt Law?
The median GPA is 3.91, and the middle half of the class ran from 3.77 to 3.97.
How big is the class at Vanderbilt Law?
The 2025 first-year class had 172 students.
The Bottom Line
For Vanderbilt Law, aim for at least 167 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.