10 Law Schools That Accept SNHU Degrees 2026

Choosing where to earn your bachelor's degree can feel like a high-stakes decision when law school is the end goal, but the good news is that law schools care far more about your academic performance than the name of your undergraduate institution. Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) is regionally accredited, which means a bachelor's degree from SNHU meets the baseline requirement nearly every law school in the country looks for.

This guide covers whether law schools accept degrees from SNHU, 10 accessible ABA-accredited law schools to consider, what actually matters most in law school admissions, and which SNHU majors can help set you up for success before you apply.

Do Law Schools Accept Degrees From SNHU?

Virtually every ABA-accredited law school accepts a bachelor's degree from any institutionally accredited college or university, and SNHU's accreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) satisfies that standard. Law schools don't maintain lists of "approved" undergraduate institutions; instead, they require applicants to hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited school, regardless of its size, reputation, or delivery format.

What actually varies by law school isn't whether they'll accept your degree, but how competitive your application is once you apply. Admissions committees weigh factors like your undergraduate GPA, LSAT score, personal statement, and letters of recommendation far more heavily than which specific college you attended. In other words, an SNHU degree gets you in the door; your academic performance and application materials determine how far you get from there. 

10 Law Schools That Accept SNHU Degrees 

All 10 law schools listed below are ABA-accredited institutions, meaning graduates are eligible to sit for the bar exam in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. This list is far from exhaustive; it's meant to highlight a range of accessible options, including several with hybrid or part-time formats, rather than suggest these are the only schools that accept an SNHU degree. 

1. Albany Law School

Albany Law School is located in Albany, New York, and is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). Founded in 1851, it holds the distinction of being the oldest independent law school in the country and has been affiliated with the University at Albany-SUNY since 2015.

Albany Law offers a traditional full-time JD as well as a Flex JD, one of several hybrid law school programs that combine online coursework with in-person components for students balancing work or family obligations. Admission is based on your LSAT or GRE score, undergraduate GPA, personal statement, and letters of recommendation, with a median LSAT around 158 and median GPA around 3.54 for recently admitted students.

2. Cooley Law School

Cooley Law School operates campuses in Lansing, Michigan, and Tampa Bay, Florida, offering both full-time and part-time JD tracks.The school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). 

Cooley uses rolling admissions and evaluates applicants holistically, considering LSAT or GRE scores, undergraduate GPA, personal statements, and resumes. With a median LSAT around 147 and median GPA around 3.09, Cooley is one of the more accessible options on this list for students who may not meet the higher score thresholds at other schools; it's also worth exploring law schools that accept a lower GPA if your undergraduate record doesn't reflect your full potential.

3. Mitchell Hamline School of Law

Mitchell Hamline School of Law offers full-time, part-time, and hybrid JD tracks, including a distinctive "Prison to Law Pipeline" program.Located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, the school is accredited by the HLC. 

Mitchell Hamline has long been known for pioneering flexible legal education, including one of the first formally recognized part-time law degree programs in the country. With a median LSAT around 154 and median GPA around 3.29, admission is holistic, weighing your application materials alongside your numerical credentials.

4. North Carolina Central University School of Law

North Carolina Central University School of Law is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), which accredits the university as a whole.

Located in Durham, North Carolina, NCCU is a historically Black university with a law school known for its accessibility and affordability, with in-state tuition notably lower than many peer institutions. Admission considers your LSAT score, undergraduate GPA, personal statement, and letters of recommendation, with a median LSAT around 151 and median GPA around 3.31, making it a realistic option for many applicants with rolling admissions.

5. Seattle University School of Law

Seattle University School of Law is located in Seattle, Washington, and is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).The school offers a Flex JD program, giving students the option to complete their degree through evening and part-time coursework alongside full-time students. 

With a median LSAT around 159 and median GPA around 3.60, admission is competitive but considers your full application, including personal statements and letters of recommendation, rather than numerical scores alone.

6. Southwestern Law School

Southwestern Law School is located in Los Angeles, California, in the historic Bullocks Wilshire building, an Art Deco landmark. Founded in 1911, it's the second-oldest law school in the city and one of the first ABA-approved schools to offer a two-year accelerated JD program.

The school recently received initial institutional accreditation from the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). Southwestern offers a fully online JD option, making it a strong choice if you're looking for affordable online degrees in law, alongside traditional full-time, part-time evening, and accelerated tracks. Admission considers your LSAT score, undergraduate GPA, and full application, with a median LSAT around 157 and median GPA around 3.51.

7. Suffolk University Law School

Suffolk University Law School offers full-time, part-time evening, and hybrid online JD programs, with academic concentrations in areas like intellectual property, international law, and health and biomedical law.

Located in Boston, Suffolk University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). With one of the more accessible acceptance rates on this list, around 62%, and a median LSAT of 155 and median GPA of 3.58, Suffolk's Hybrid JD program is a solid option if you're looking for hybrid law school programs that combine online flexibility with in-person instruction.

8. Syracuse University College of Law

Syracuse University College of Law is accredited by the MSCHE, which accredits Syracuse University as a whole.Located in Syracuse, New York, the college offers JDinteractive (JDi), a fully online JD program recognized by The Princeton Review as one of the best online JD programs in the country. 

Students can complete their degree in three to four years, or space it out over as many as seven. Admission is competitive, with a median LSAT around 158 and median GPA around 3.60, and applications are reviewed holistically alongside letters of recommendation and a personal statement.

9. University of Dayton School of Law

The University of Dayton School of Law is located in Dayton, Ohio, and is accredited by the HLC. A private, Catholic university affiliated with the Society of Mary, Dayton offers a fully online JD program designed for working professionals who want to earn their degree without relocating. 

With a median LSAT around 157 and median GPA around 3.60, admission considers your full application, though Dayton's online format makes it a practical option for students who need flexibility alongside a comparatively accessible acceptance rate of around 31%.

10. Vermont Law and Graduate School

Vermont Law and Graduate School is located in South Royalton, Vermont, a small town setting that has become known nationally for the school's environmental law program. The school is accredited by the NECHE. 

Vermont Law offers an Online Hybrid JD that blends online coursework with short in-person residencies, making it one of the more flexible part-time law degree options on this list. With one of the highest acceptance rates among ABA-accredited schools, around 59%, and a median LSAT around 152 and median GPA around 3.25, Vermont Law is a genuinely accessible option for many applicants.

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. For this law school list specifically, we also weigh factors like:

• ABA accreditation: Whether the school is fully approved by the American Bar Association, which is required for graduates to sit for the bar exam in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
• Institutional accreditation: Whether the school (or its parent university) holds accreditation from a recognized regional or national accrediting body, separate from ABA approval.
• Accepts SNHU degrees: Whether the school accepts a bachelor's degree from an institutionally accredited university like SNHU, which applies to virtually every ABA-accredited law school on this list.
• Online or hybrid format: Whether the school offers a fully online, hybrid, or part-time JD option that accommodates working professionals or students who can't relocate.
• Admissions accessibility: Acceptance rates and median LSAT and GPA scores, which indicate how realistic admission is for a broad range of applicants, not just those with top-tier scores.

Learn more about our ranking methodology. 

What Actually Matters for Law School Admission? 

Since your undergraduate institution's accreditation is rarely a deciding factor, understanding what law schools actually weigh can help you build a stronger application, regardless of where you earn your bachelor's degree.

Undergraduate GPA

Your cumulative GPA is one of the most heavily weighted factors in law school admissions, often used alongside your LSAT score to calculate an initial index number many schools use to sort applicants. That said, GPA isn't the whole picture. If your undergraduate record doesn't reflect your full potential, it's worth researching law schools that accept a lower GPA, since many schools consider upward trends, addenda, and other application materials alongside your numbers.

LSAT Score

Most law schools require an LSAT or GRE score, and your score often carries as much or more weight than your GPA in admissions decisions. If you're concerned about testing, a small number of schools have moved away from requiring the LSAT entirely, so it may be worth researching law schools that don't require the LSAT if standardized testing is a significant barrier for you.

Personal Statement

Your personal statement is your opportunity to explain your motivations for pursuing law, highlight relevant experiences, and demonstrate your writing ability, a skill admissions committees weigh heavily given how central writing is to legal practice.

Letters of Recommendation

Most law schools require one to two letters of recommendation, ideally from professors or employers who can speak to your academic ability, work ethic, and readiness for the rigor of law school.

Extracurricular and Work Experience

Involvement in relevant extracurriculars, internships, or work experience, particularly in fields like public policy, criminal justice, or advocacy, can strengthen your application and demonstrate genuine interest in the legal field beyond your coursework.

Online Bachelor's Degrees at SNHU That Can Prepare You for Law School 

While SNHU's Law, Politics, and Societies major is only available on campus, several online bachelor's degrees can still help build the analytical, research, and communication skills law schools look for.

• Political Science (BA): Covers the U.S. political system, policy analysis, and civic engagement, offering direct exposure to the government structures and processes central to legal study.
• Sociology (BA): Explores social behavior, group dynamics, and current social issues, building the kind of critical thinking skills useful for understanding how law intersects with society.
• Criminal Justice/Justice Studies: Provides a foundation in the justice system, criminal law, and legal processes, making it a natural fit for students interested in criminal or public interest law.
• Communication (BA), Professional Writing concentration: Builds strong writing and research skills, both essential for law school coursework and the legal profession more broadly.
• Psychology (BA): A commonly recommended pre-law major, offering insight into human behavior and decision-making that can be valuable in fields like family law or criminal defense.

Since no single undergraduate major is required for law school, the best choice is often the one that builds strong writing, research, and analytical skills while genuinely interesting you enough to maintain a strong GPA.

Tips for Preparing for Law School While Earning Your SNHU Degree 

A few intentional steps during your undergraduate years can help set you up for a stronger law school application later on.

• Prioritize your GPA early: Since your cumulative GPA carries significant weight in admissions, focus on building strong study habits from your first semester rather than trying to compensate later.
• Start LSAT prep well in advance: Many successful applicants begin studying for the LSAT six months to a year before their target test date, so build this into your plan early rather than treating it as an afterthought.
• Seek out relevant internships or experience: Look for internships, volunteer work, or jobs in legal, government, or advocacy settings to build experience that strengthens your personal statement and application.
• Build relationships with professors: Since strong letters of recommendation often come from professors who know your work well, engage actively in your courses and seek out opportunities to connect with faculty.
• Research your target schools early: Understanding each school's median LSAT, GPA, and application requirements ahead of time can help you set realistic goals and identify reach, target, and safety schools.
• Consider your format needs: If you'll be working while attending law school, look into hybrid or part-time JD programs early, since not all schools offer this flexibility.

FAQs About Law School Admission With an SNHU Degree 

If you're considering law school after earning a degree at SNHU, these answers address some of the most common questions about admissions requirements and how your undergraduate experience factors in.

Does Your Undergraduate Major Matter for Law School?

Not as much as many prospective students assume. Law schools don't require a specific undergraduate major, and admissions committees place far more weight on your GPA, LSAT score, and overall application than your field of study. That said, majors that build strong writing, research, and analytical skills, such as political science, sociology, or communication, can help prepare you for the demands of law school coursework.

Does an Online Degree Affect Law School Admission?

Law schools evaluate your degree based on your institution's accreditation, not whether your coursework was completed online or on campus. As long as your bachelor's degree comes from an accredited institution like SNHU, an online format won't count against you in the admissions process.

What LSAT Score Do You Need for Law School?

It depends entirely on the school. Median LSAT scores range widely across ABA-accredited law schools, from the high 140s at more accessible schools to well above 160 at more selective institutions. If a low LSAT score is a concern, it's worth researching law schools that don't require the LSAT or those with a track record of admitting students with lower scores.

Can You Get Into Law School With a Low GPA?

Yes, though your options may be more limited depending on how low your GPA is. Many law schools consider your application holistically, weighing upward GPA trends, addenda explaining extenuating circumstances, and your LSAT score alongside your undergraduate record. Researching law schools that accept a lower GPA can help you identify realistic options if your GPA doesn't reflect your full potential.

Is a Pre-Law Program Necessary Before Law School?

While some schools offer dedicated pre-law majors or advising programs, they aren't required for law school admission. Any bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, paired with a strong GPA, competitive LSAT score, and well-rounded application, can prepare you to apply to law school.

Find Accessible Law Schools

Whether you choose a hybrid, part-time, or fully online JD program, an accredited bachelor's degree from SNHU meets the baseline requirement nearly every law school looks for. Explore the online degree programs featured on Learn.org, and reach out to your target law schools directly to confirm their specific admissions requirements.