The LSAT scores on a scale of 120 to 180, with the median score sitting around 150 — the 44th percentile. But the score you actually need depends entirely on where you want to go to law school. Understanding the realistic targets for different tiers saves you from both underaiming and from putting yourself through an unnecessary retake.
The top-14 law schools in the US (as ranked by US News) have median LSAT scores that typically fall in the 170–175 range for the very top programs, dropping to 165–168 for schools in the 10–14 range. Here is a rough breakdown:
Yale, Harvard, Stanford: Median LSAT 173–175. Admitted applicants below 170 are rare and typically have extraordinary profiles in other dimensions.
Columbia, NYU, Penn, Chicago: Median LSAT 171–174. A 168–169 can be competitive with a strong GPA and compelling application.
Michigan, Virginia, Duke, Northwestern, Cornell, Georgetown: Median LSAT 166–171. A 165 is at or slightly below median at most of these schools.
Law schools ranked 15–50 typically have median LSAT scores in the 158–165 range. A 163 is competitive at most programs in this tier and excellent at the lower end.
If your target is a well-regarded regional school — a school strong in a specific market but not a national feeder — a score in the 157–162 range is typically sufficient, though GPA, work experience, and essays all matter significantly at these schools.
The national average is around 150, and schools with medians in the 148–153 range see applicants with very different profiles competing for the same seats. At these schools, a score of 152–155 can be decisive, and the 158+ range makes you a strong candidate for scholarships.
Law school admissions uses an index that weights LSAT and GPA together, with LSAT typically carrying slightly more weight. A very high GPA (3.8+) gives you some ability to compensate for a somewhat lower LSAT — but a low GPA is harder to overcome, even with an elite LSAT score, because schools track their GPA medians for ranking purposes.
The general rule: if you scored below the 25th percentile for your target schools and have reason to believe you can improve meaningfully, retake. Law schools typically report the highest score, so the main downside of retaking is the time and cost — and the small risk that a worse performance creates a confusing record.
One important caveat: schools can see all your LSAT scores. A student who takes the LSAT four times with erratic scores raises different questions than one who takes it twice with consistent improvement. Have a clear improvement rationale before registering for another sitting.