Law Schools With the Highest LSAT Scores

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Having a great LSAT score is key to getting into some of the highest-ranked law schools.

Fortunately, students who fall short of their goal the first time around have other chances to boost their score. LSAT test-takers improved their overall scores significantly when taking the test a second time, according to recent research from the Law School Admission Council.

[Excel at the LSAT as a second-time test-taker.]

Whether it was through taking multiple tests or having a great study plan the first time around, many students at the schools with the highest median LSAT scores were able to master the test, which is scored on a scale of 120 to 180.

At the top 12 schools with the highest median LSAT scores in 2013, median scores were 168 or above for full-time students, according to data submitted to U.S. News in an annual survey.

[ Master the logical reasoning section on the LSAT.]

Schools with the highest median LSAT scores were among the most selective and highly ranked in the country. All but two schools on the list were ranked among the top 10. Georgetown University and Northwestern University just missed the cut.

Stanford University in California was the only school on the list from the West Coast. The other schools with the highest median LSAT scores are located on the East Coast or in the Midwest.

Among the 189 law schools, Valparaiso University had the lowest median score: 143. Unranked schools, which did not meet certain criteria required by U.S. News to be numerically ranked, were not considered for this report.

Below is a list of schools with the highest median LSAT for full-time students. Because of a tie, there are 12 schools on the list.

Don't see your school in the top 12? Access the U.S. News Law School Compass to find LSAT data, complete rankings and much more. School officials can access historical data and rankings, including of peer institutions, via U.S. News Academic Insights.

U.S. News surveyed 200 ABA accredited law schools for our 2013 survey of law programs. Schools self-reported myriad data regarding their academic programs and the makeup of their student body, among other areas, making U.S. News' data the most accurate and detailed collection of college facts and figures of its kind. While U.S. News uses much of this survey data to rank schools for our annual Best Law Schools rankings, the data can also be useful when examined on a smaller scale. U.S. News will now produce lists of data, separate from the overall rankings, meant to provide students and parents a means to find which schools excel, or have room to grow, in specific areas that are important to them. While the data comes from the schools themselves, these lists are not related to, and have no influence over, U.S. News' rankings of Best Colleges or Best Graduate Schools. The LSAT data above are correct as of July 29, 2014.

Devon Haynie is an education reporter at U.S. News, covering online education. You can follow her on Twitter or email her at dhaynie@usnews.com.