10 Law Schools That Accept a 3.5 GPA

A 3.5 GPA may make you competitive at many ABA-accredited law schools, especially when paired with a strong LSAT score and a well-rounded application. While some highly selective law schools report median GPAs above 3.7, many law schools that accept a 3.5 GPA use holistic admissions reviews that consider more than undergraduate grades alone.

Even though a 3.5 GPA is not typically considered low, some students still research law schools that accept a low GPA when looking for schools with broader admissions ranges. Below, we’ll go over what your admissions chances may look like with a 3.5 GPA, which schools may be more flexible, and how you can strengthen your law school application.

Can You Get Into Law School With a 3.5 GPA?

Many students with a 3.5 GPA may qualify for admission at a wide range of ABA-accredited law schools. While the most selective programs may still be competitive, a 3.5 GPA can be a strong foundation for applicants with competitive LSAT scores and well-rounded applications.

Many law schools use holistic admissions processes that evaluate more than GPA alone. Admissions offices may also consider:

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

Applicants with a 3.5 GPA and strong LSAT scores may be competitive at many regional and nationally recognized law schools. Schools known for holistic admissions or splitter-friendly policies may place significant weight on LSAT performance, especially when applicants demonstrate strong professional or leadership backgrounds.

Students with a 3.5 GPA may also have access to a broader range of public and private law schools than applicants with lower GPAs. Researching admissions statistics carefully and applying strategically can help you identify schools that align with your academic profile and career goals.

Law Schools That Accept a 3.5 GPA

Students with a 3.5 GPA and strong LSAT scores may be competitive at a broad range of regional and nationally recognized law schools. Below, we’ve featured schools that will accept a 3.5, though admissions may still be competitive.— All of the schools below are approved by the American Bar Association (ABA), which is important for students planning to sit for the bar exam after graduation.—

1. American University Washington College of Law

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

The school uses a holistic admissions process that considers LSAT scores, leadership experience, internships, recommendation letters, and professional background alongside GPA. Students with a 3.5 GPA and strong LSAT scores may be competitive applicants, particularly when supported by strong application materials and extracurricular involvement.

2. Brooklyn Law School

Brooklyn Law School is located in Brooklyn, New York, and offers strong access to internships, externships, and legal networking opportunities throughout New York City. The school emphasizes experiential learning and professional development through clinics, advocacy programs, and practical legal training opportunities.

The school is institutionally accredited by the MSCHE. Brooklyn Law School follows a holistic admissions review process that considers LSAT scores, work experience, leadership activities, and personal statements alongside GPA.

3. Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law

Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law emphasizes experiential learning through clinics, externships, and cooperative education opportunities that allow students to gain professional experience while completing their degrees. The school uses a holistic admissions process that considers LSAT scores, leadership activities, internships, recommendation letters, and professional background alongside GPA.

The school is located in Philadelphia and Drexel University is institutionally accredited by the MSCHE. Students with a 3.5 GPA and strong LSAT scores may find the law school competitive but attainable, particularly when supported by strong application materials and professional experience.

4. Loyola Law School Los Angeles

Loyola Law School Los Angeles offers a legal education focused on advocacy, experiential learning, and strong connections throughout the Southern California legal market. The school reviews applicants holistically by considering LSAT scores, leadership experience, internships, recommendation letters, and personal statements alongside GPA.

Loyola Marymount University is one of the top universities in Los Angeles and is institutionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). Students with a 3.5 GPA and competitive LSAT scores may be strong candidates for admission, especially when supported by relevant extracurricular or professional experience.

5. Michigan State University College of Law

Michigan State University is located in East Lansing, Michigan, and is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The College of Law here offers strong experiential learning opportunities through clinics, externships, advocacy programs, and interdisciplinary partnerships across the university system.

The school uses a holistic admissions process that evaluates LSAT scores, work experience, leadership activities, recommendation letters, and personal background alongside GPA. Students with a 3.5 GPA may be competitive applicants at Michigan State University College of Law, particularly when paired with strong LSAT performance.

6. Penn State Dickinson Law

Penn State Dickinson Law is located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and offers a smaller law school environment with strong experiential learning opportunities and access to the broader Penn State network. The school emphasizes practical legal training through clinics, externships, advocacy programs, and individualized academic support.

The Pennsylvania State University is institutionally accredited by the MSCHE. Penn State Dickinson Law uses a holistic admissions review process that considers LSAT scores, leadership activities, internships, work experience, and recommendation letters alongside GPA. Students with a 3.5 GPA and strong LSAT scores may be competitive applicants for admission.

7. Rutgers Law School

Rutgers Law School offers a public legal education with campuses in Newark and Camden, New Jersey, and strong access to legal markets throughout the Northeast corridor. The school emphasizes experiential learning, public service, and professional development through clinics, externships, and advocacy opportunities.

The school is institutionally accredited through Rutgers University, which is accredited by the MSCHE. Rutgers Law School follows a holistic admissions process that reviews LSAT scores, recommendation letters, leadership background, internships, and professional experience alongside GPA. Students with a 3.5 GPA may be competitive applicants, especially when paired with strong LSAT performance.

8. Seton Hall University School of Law

Seton Hall University School of Law offers strong connections to the New York City and New Jersey legal markets through experiential learning programs, externships, and professional networking opportunities. The school uses a holistic admissions process that considers LSAT scores, internships, leadership activities, recommendation letters, and work experience alongside GPA.

The school is located in Newark, New Jersey, and Seton Hall University is institutionally accredited by the MSCHE. Students with a 3.5 GPA and competitive LSAT scores may be strong candidates for admission, particularly when supported by well-rounded application materials.

9. Temple University Beasley School of Law

Temple University Beasley School of Law is located in Philadelphia, and Temple University is institutionally accredited by the MSCHE. The law school is known for its strong trial advocacy programs, experiential learning opportunities, and extensive connections throughout the Philadelphia legal market.

The school uses a holistic admissions review process that considers LSAT scores, internships, leadership activities, recommendation letters, and professional background alongside GPA. Students with a 3.5 GPA and strong LSAT scores may be competitive applicants for admission, particularly when supported by strong extracurricular involvement and application materials.

10. University of Denver Sturm College of Law

University of Denver Sturm College of Law is located in Denver and offers a legal education focused on experiential learning, advocacy training, and professional development opportunities throughout the Rocky Mountain region. The school emphasizes practical legal experience through clinics, externships, and simulation-based coursework.

The University of Denver is institutionally accredited by the HLC and is one of the best colleges in Denver. Sturm College of Law follows a holistic admissions process that evaluates LSAT scores, work experience, leadership background, recommendation letters, and personal statements alongside GPA. Students with a 3.5 GPA may be competitive applicants, especially when paired with strong LSAT performance and well-rounded application materials.

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. All law schools included on this list are 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 competitive for students with a 3.5 GPA.
• Online availability: We consider whether schools offer flexible scheduling, hybrid JD pathways, evening programs, or part-time enrollment options that may support working adults and nontraditional students.
• Student outcomes: We review factors such as bar preparation resources, experiential learning opportunities, internship access, career development programs, and academic support services available to law students.

Learn more about our ranking methodology.

What Average GPA Do You Need for Law School?

The average GPA needed 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 mainstream ABA-accredited programs may admit students with GPAs closer to the 3.3 to 3.6 range.

A 3.5 GPA may make students competitive at many law schools, especially when paired with a strong LSAT score and a well-rounded application. Many law schools use holistic admissions reviews that consider:

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

Applicants with strong GPAs and LSAT scores may qualify for admission at a broad range of public and private law schools. Researching admissions statistics carefully and applying strategically can help students identify programs that align with their academic background and career goals.

Can You Get Financial Aid With a 3.5 GPA?

Students with a 3.5 GPA may qualify for a wide range of financial aid opportunities 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.

Students with a 3.5 GPA may also be competitive for merit scholarships, particularly when paired with strong LSAT scores. Many law schools award scholarships based on a combination of academic performance, LSAT scores, leadership experience, and professional background.

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

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 3.5 GPA

Students with a 3.5 GPA may be competitive applicants at many ABA-accredited law schools, especially when supported by strong LSAT scores and well-rounded applications. While admissions standards can still be competitive at highly ranked programs, a 3.5 GPA may provide access to a broad range of regional and nationally recognized law schools.

One of the most important steps is earning a strong LSAT score. Competitive LSAT performance may help strengthen your application and improve your admissions chances at more selective schools.

Applicants can also improve their applications by:

• writing a compelling personal statement
• gaining internship or leadership experience
• securing strong recommendation letters
• highlighting academic improvement or challenging coursework
• participating in community service or extracurricular activities
• applying broadly to schools with holistic admissions reviews

Researching schools carefully can also make a difference. Reviewing median GPA and LSAT ranges may help students identify programs where they are most competitive academically.

Finally, apply strategically and keep your options open. A 3.5 GPA may make you a strong candidate at many law schools, but admissions decisions can still depend heavily on LSAT scores, internships, leadership experience, and the overall strength of your application.

FAQs About Law Schools That Accept a 3.5 GPA

Students applying to law school with a 3.5 GPA often have questions about admissions competitiveness, 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 a 3.5 GPA.

Can You Get Into Law School With a 3.5 GPA?

Yes, many students with a 3.5 GPA may qualify for admission at a wide range of ABA-accredited law schools. While the most selective law schools may still be competitive, a 3.5 GPA can make students strong applicants at many regional and nationally recognized programs.

Many schools use holistic admissions reviews that consider LSAT scores, internships, leadership activities, recommendation letters, and professional background alongside GPA. Strong LSAT performance may improve admissions chances even further.

What LSAT Score Do You Need With a 3.5 GPA?

The LSAT score you need with a 3.5 GPA depends on the schools you apply to and how competitive those programs are. Students with a 3.5 GPA may be competitive at many law schools with LSAT scores near or above a school’s median range.

A strong LSAT score may help strengthen your application at more selective programs. Schools known for holistic admissions often review LSAT scores alongside leadership experience, internships, recommendation letters, and personal statements.

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 scholarship opportunities and admissions competitiveness. Students should carefully review admissions requirements before applying.

What Can You Do With a JD?

There are many things you can do 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, education, business, government, or nonprofit leadership.

A Juris Doctor (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 3.5 Law Schools

Start your journey toward law school by exploring the accessible program options featured on Learn.org. To find out more about admissions requirements and processes, reach out to individual law schools directly.