10 Law Schools That Accept Low GPA Students

Published on:

May 17, 2026

Explore ABA-accredited law schools that accept low GPA students and learn how LSAT scores, holistic admissions, and flexible JD programs may support your goals.

Getting into law school with a lower GPA can feel intimidating, especially when many programs report median GPAs well above 3.0. Still, some law schools that accept low GPA students use holistic admissions reviews that consider more than undergraduate grades alone, including LSAT scores, leadership experience, work history, internships, and personal statements.

A low GPA does not automatically prevent you from earning a Juris Doctor (JD) degree. Many ABA-accredited law schools may consider applicants with strong LSAT scores, upward academic trends, or compelling professional backgrounds. Below, we’ll go over how law school admissions work for splitter applicants and highlight schools that may be more accessible for students with lower GPAs.

Can You Get Into a Law School With a Low GPA?

It may be possible to get into law school with a low GPA, especially if you apply strategically and strengthen other parts of your application. While highly selective law schools often report median GPAs above 3.7, many ABA-accredited programs use holistic admissions reviews that evaluate applicants based on more than grades alone.

Law schools may also consider:

LSAT scores
work experience
leadership activities
recommendation letters
internships
graduate coursework
personal statements
upward academic trends

Applicants with lower GPAs but stronger LSAT scores are often called splitters. Some schools are known for being more splitter-friendly than others, particularly regional law schools with broader admissions ranges or flexible admissions policies.

Students with lower GPAs may improve their chances by earning a competitive LSAT score, applying broadly, and targeting schools that place significant weight on factors beyond undergraduate GPA. Researching admissions statistics carefully can help applicants identify programs that align with their academic background and career goals.

Law Schools That Accept a Low GPA

The schools below represent a mix of public and private law programs that may be more accessible to students with lower undergraduate GPAs. Each school is approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) and may consider factors beyond GPA alone, including LSAT scores, internships, work experience, leadership background, and personal statements during the admissions process.

Some of these schools are known for flexible admissions reviews, while others may be realistic options for splitter applicants with stronger LSAT scores. Students with lower GPAs may still have opportunities to pursue a law degree by applying strategically and building strong overall applications.

1. American University Washington College of Law

American University is located in Washington, D.C., and is institutionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). Its College of Law is known for its programs in public interest law, international law, and government-related legal studies, with strong networking opportunities throughout the D.C. legal market.

The school follows a holistic admissions process that considers LSAT scores, internships, leadership experience, recommendation letters, and professional background alongside GPA. Students with lower GPAs but strong LSAT scores and well-rounded applications may still be competitive applicants for admission.

2. Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law

Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law is located in Philadelphia and emphasizes experiential learning through clinics, externships, and cooperative education opportunities. The school focuses heavily on practical legal training and professional development within a major urban legal market.

Drexel University is institutionally accredited by the MSCHE. The law school uses a holistic admissions process that reviews LSAT scores, internships, leadership activities, recommendation letters, and work experience alongside GPA.

3. Loyola University New Orleans College of Law

Loyola University New Orleans (LoyNO) College of Law offers a legal education focused on advocacy, experiential learning, and public service. The school uses a holistic admissions review process that considers LSAT scores, internships, leadership experience, recommendation letters, and professional background alongside GPA.

As one of the best schools in New Orleans, LoyNO is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Students with lower GPAs but strong LSAT scores and well-rounded applications may still be competitive applicants for admission.

4. Mitchell Hamline School of Law

Mitchell Hamline School of Law is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The school is widely known for flexible JD pathways, including hybrid and part-time options that may appeal to working adults and nontraditional students balancing school with other responsibilities.

Hamline University is one of the best colleges in St. Paul, Minnesota, and follows a holistic admissions process that considers LSAT scores, work experience, leadership activities, recommendation letters, and personal statements alongside GPA. Mitchell Hamline School of Law may appeal to students looking for a more flexible and accessible law school environment.

5. Rutgers Law School

Rutgers University is located in Newark and Camden, New Jersey, and is institutionally accredited by the MSCHE. Its Law School offers a public legal education with strong access to legal markets throughout the Northeast corridor and emphasizes experiential learning through clinics, externships, and advocacy programs.

The law school uses a holistic admissions process that reviews LSAT scores, internships, leadership experience, recommendation letters, and professional background alongside GPA. Students with lower GPAs may still be competitive applicants when paired with strong LSAT performance and well-rounded applications.

6. Suffolk University Law School

Suffolk University Law School is located in Boston and offers strong access to internships, clinics, and networking opportunities throughout the Boston legal market. The school emphasizes experiential learning and professional development through advocacy programs, practical training opportunities, and strong regional employer connections.

Suffolk University is institutionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). The law school follows a holistic admissions review process that considers LSAT scores, internships, leadership activities, recommendation letters, and work experience alongside GPA. The program here is known as one of the fastest online law degrees.

7. Temple University Beasley School of Law

Temple University Beasley School of Law offers a legal education focused on advocacy training, experiential learning, and strong professional connections throughout the Philadelphia legal market. The school reviews applicants holistically by considering LSAT scores, internships, leadership activities, recommendation letters, and professional experience alongside GPA.

Temple University is located in Philadelphia and is institutionally accredited by the MSCHE. Students with lower GPAs but strong LSAT scores and well-rounded applications may still be competitive applicants for admission.

8. University of Dayton School of Law

University of Dayton is accredited by the HLC and is one of the top universities in the Dayton, Ohio, area. The law school is known for flexible JD pathways, including hybrid learning options that may appeal to working adults and students balancing school with professional responsibilities.

The school follows a holistic admissions process that evaluates LSAT scores, work experience, leadership background, recommendation letters, and academic trends alongside GPA. Students with lower GPAs may find the school’s flexible structure and broader admissions approach appealing.

9. University of Denver Sturm College of Law

University of Denver is one of the best colleges in Denver and is institutionally accredited by the HLC. Its Sturm College of Law emphasizes experiential learning, advocacy training, and professional development through clinics, externships, and simulation-based coursework connected to the Rocky Mountain legal market.

The school uses a holistic admissions process that considers LSAT scores, work experience, internships, leadership activities, recommendation letters, and personal statements alongside GPA. Students with lower GPAs but strong LSAT scores and well-rounded applications may still be competitive applicants for admission.

10. University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law

University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law is located in Concord, New Hampshire, and is widely recognized for its programs in intellectual property and technology law. The school emphasizes practical legal training through clinics, externships, and experiential learning opportunities designed to prepare students for a range of legal careers.

The University of New Hampshire is institutionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). Franklin Pierce School of Law follows a holistic admissions review process that evaluates LSAT scores, leadership activities, work experience, recommendation letters, and personal statements alongside GPA.

How We Rank Schools

To create this list, we review data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), along with program-level details published by each university. We also evaluate schools based on:

Accreditation: We prioritize schools and universities that hold institutional accreditation from recognized accrediting agencies. Every law school included on this list is also approved by the American Bar Association (ABA).
Admissions requirements: We review admissions policies, median GPA and LSAT ranges, holistic review practices, and application requirements to identify schools that may be more accessible to splitter applicants and students with lower GPAs.
Online availability: We consider whether schools offer hybrid JD pathways, evening programs, flexible scheduling, or part-time enrollment options that may support working adults and nontraditional students.
Student outcomes: We review factors such as bar preparation support, experiential learning opportunities, internship access, academic support services, and career development resources available to law students.

Learn more about our ranking methodology.

What Average GPA Do You Need for Law School?

The average GPA you need for law school depends on the schools you apply to and how competitive those programs are. Many highly selective law schools report median undergraduate GPAs between about 3.7 and 3.9, while regional and access-focused programs may admit students with GPAs closer to the 2.8 to 3.5 range.

Law school admissions offices often use holistic review processes that consider more than GPA alone. Schools may also evaluate:

LSAT scores
internships
work experience
leadership activities
recommendation letters
graduate coursework
personal statements
upward academic trends

Applicants with lower GPAs but stronger LSAT scores are often called splitters. Some law schools are known for being more splitter-friendly than others, particularly programs that place significant weight on LSAT performance and professional experience during admissions reviews.

Students with lower GPAs may still have realistic law school options by applying strategically and researching admissions statistics carefully. Comparing schools by GPA range can help applicants identify programs that align with their academic background and career goals.

Explore Law Schools by GPA Range—

Law school admissions standards can vary significantly between programs. Below, you can explore additional guides for students applying with different GPA ranges:

Can You Get Financial Aid With a Low GPA?

Students with lower GPAs may still qualify for financial aid to help pay for a law degree. Most ABA-accredited law schools participate in federal financial aid programs, allowing eligible students to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and apply for federal student loans and some need-based aid opportunities.

While some merit scholarships may be more competitive for students with lower GPAs, strong LSAT scores can sometimes help offset weaker undergraduate grades. Some law schools place significant weight on LSAT performance when awarding scholarships because those scores may affect rankings and bar passage projections.

Additional financial aid opportunities may include:

state grant programs
military and veteran benefits
employer tuition assistance
diversity scholarships
nonprofit legal organization scholarships
first-generation student aid programs
scholarships for students with a low GPA

Students should also review scholarship renewal requirements carefully before enrolling. Some merit scholarships require maintaining a minimum GPA after starting law school, which can affect long-term affordability and academic planning.

Tips for Getting Into Law School With a Low GPA

Students may still get into law school with a low GPA by building strong overall applications and applying strategically. While highly selective law schools often report high median GPAs, many ABA-accredited programs use holistic admissions reviews that evaluate applicants beyond undergraduate grades alone.

One of the most important steps is earning a strong LSAT score. Competitive LSAT performance may help demonstrate analytical reasoning and academic readiness, especially at schools that place significant weight on test scores during admissions reviews.

Applicants can also improve their chances by:

writing a compelling personal statement
explaining academic struggles through a GPA addendum
gaining leadership or professional experience
participating in internships or community service
securing strong recommendation letters
taking additional coursework to demonstrate academic improvement
applying broadly to schools with holistic admissions policies

Researching schools carefully can also make a difference. Some regional programs and schools known for broader admissions ranges are often discussed among the easiest law schools to get into for applicants with lower GPAs and stronger LSAT scores.

Finally, keep expectations realistic and apply strategically. Students with lower GPAs may improve their admissions chances significantly by targeting schools that align with their academic background, LSAT scores, and professional goals.

FAQs About Law Schools That Accept a Low GPA

Students applying to law school with lower GPAs often have questions about admissions standards, LSAT expectations, and career opportunities after graduation. Below, we’ll go over some of the most common questions students ask when researching law schools that accept low GPA students.

Can You Get Into Law School With a Low GPA?

It may be possible to get into law school with a low GPA, especially at schools that use holistic admissions reviews. Many ABA-accredited law schools consider LSAT scores, internships, leadership activities, work experience, recommendation letters, and personal statements alongside GPA during the admissions process.

Applicants with strong LSAT scores and well-rounded applications may still be competitive candidates at some regional and nationally recognized law schools. Applying strategically and researching admissions statistics carefully can improve your chances of acceptance.

What LSAT Score Do You Need With a Low GPA?

The LSAT score you need with a low GPA depends on the schools you apply to and how competitive those programs are. In many cases, applicants with lower GPAs may improve their admissions chances by earning LSAT scores above a school’s median range.

Strong LSAT performance may help demonstrate academic readiness and analytical reasoning skills. Schools known for holistic admissions or splitter-friendly policies may place greater emphasis on LSAT scores than GPA alone.

Is the LSAT Required for Law School?

Many ABA-accredited law schools still require the LSAT, but some programs now accept GRE scores or offer limited test-flexible admissions pathways. A growing number of law schools that don't require the LSAT have expanded admissions options for students seeking alternatives to traditional law school entrance exams.

Even at schools that accept GRE scores, strong LSAT performance may still improve admissions competitiveness and scholarship opportunities. Students should carefully review admissions requirements before applying to individual programs.

What Can You Do With a JD?

There are many career options with a JD beyond becoming a practicing attorney. While many graduates pursue careers in litigation, corporate law, criminal law, or family law, others work in consulting, compliance, business, education, government, or nonprofit leadership.

A JD degree may also support careers in mediation, politics, legal research, contract management, or human resources. Career outcomes often depend on bar passage, internships, networking opportunities, and professional experience gained during law school.

Are Hybrid Law Programs Worth It?

Hybrid law programs may be worth considering for students who need more flexibility while completing their degrees. These programs combine online coursework with in-person learning experiences, which may help working adults and nontraditional students balance school with other responsibilities.

Many ABA-approved hybrid law programs award the same JD credential as traditional on-campus programs. Students should still review factors such as bar passage rates, academic support services, internship opportunities, and residency requirements before enrolling.

Discover Low GPA Law Schools

Find your perfect law school, even with a low GPA, by exploring the accessible options featured on Learn.org. Reach out to specific schools to find out more about admissions requirements and policies.