What LSAT Score Do You Need for New York Law Schools? Requirements by Tier (2026)
The LSAT score you need for New York law schools depends entirely on which school you’re targeting: top-tier programs like Columbia and NYU typically require scores above 170, while regional schools may accept scores in the 150s. According to the Law School Admission Council, the median LSAT score for all test-takers is 151, but competitive New York programs often seek scores well above this benchmark—and understanding where you fit helps you build a realistic application strategy.
How LSAT Scoring Works
Understanding the LSAT Scale
The LSAT uses a 120-180 scoring scale, with 151 representing the median score nationwide. Each point matters significantly in law school admissions—a 170 places you in roughly the 97th percentile, while a 160 lands around the 80th percentile. Law schools report these scores to the American Bar Association and U.S. News & World Report, making them critical factors in rankings and admissions decisions.
Percentiles and What They Mean for Admissions
When law schools publish LSAT data, they report the 25th percentile, median (50th percentile), and 75th percentile scores of their enrolled students. If your score falls at or above a school’s median, you’re competitive for admission. Scores between the 25th and 50th percentiles mean you’re still in the game but may need stronger compensating factors like a higher GPA, exceptional work experience, or compelling personal statements.
How New York Law Schools Use LSAT Scores
New York law schools, like all ABA-accredited institutions, use holistic review—meaning your LSAT score is important but not everything. Schools weigh your score alongside undergraduate GPA, personal statement, letters of recommendation, work experience, and other application factors. However, LSAT scores carry significant weight because schools must report median scores to the ABA and U.S. News, which directly affects their rankings.
LSAT Score Ranges for New York Law Schools
Top-Tier NY Law Schools: Columbia, NYU, Cornell
Columbia Law School’s median LSAT is 173, with the 25th to 75th percentile range spanning 169-175. NYU Law reports a median of 172, with admitted students typically scoring between 169-174. Cornell Law School in Ithaca has a median LSAT of 168 with a range of approximately 165-170. These schools are among the most selective in the nation, with acceptance rates between 11-22%, making scores above 170 essential for competitive candidacy.
Mid-Tier NY Law Schools: Fordham, Cardozo, Brooklyn Law
Fordham Law School typically admits students with LSAT scores in the mid-to-high 160s, with medians around 166-167. Cardozo School of Law has a median LSAT around 164, while Brooklyn Law School’s median hovers in the 160-163 range. These schools offer strong regional reputations in the New York legal market and more accessible admissions standards than the top tier, though they still require scores well above the national median.
Regional and Evening Programs: NYLS, CUNY, Touro
New York Law School admits students with LSAT medians around 155-156, with the 25th to 75th percentile range spanning approximately 153-158. CUNY School of Law and Touro’s Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center have similar profiles, with median scores in the 150-155 range. These schools provide viable pathways to legal careers in New York, particularly for students seeking evening programs, public interest focus, or more flexible admissions criteria.
What People Get Wrong About LSAT Requirements
There Are No Minimum Cutoffs—But Medians Matter
Many applicants mistakenly believe law schools have hard LSAT cutoffs. In reality, no ABA-accredited school publishes minimum scores. Columbia Law School explicitly states there’s no minimum LSAT requirement. However, this doesn’t mean any score works—admitted students cluster around published medians. If you’re significantly below a school’s 25th percentile (say, a 165 applying to Columbia), you’ll need truly exceptional compensating factors.
Retaking the LSAT Can Transform Your Options
Some applicants fear that retaking the LSAT signals weakness or that schools average multiple scores. This is outdated. Most law schools now consider only your highest LSAT score, and score improvements of 5-10 points are common with focused preparation. If you’re 3-5 points below your target school’s median, retaking the test often makes more sense than applying with a lower score or settling for a less competitive school. For insights on how LSAT scores factor into overall admissions strategy, see best law schools in the US, 2025 rankings, admission requirements, and selection strategy.
What to Do If You’re Applying to New York Law Schools
Preparing for Your Target Score
Start by taking a diagnostic LSAT to establish your baseline, then create a study plan targeting your goal schools’ median scores. The Law School Admission Council offers official LSAT prep materials, including real past exams (PrepTests). Most successful applicants study 3-6 months, completing 20-30 practice tests under timed conditions. Focus on understanding question types—logical reasoning, analytical reasoning (logic games), and reading comprehension—rather than just memorizing strategies.
When to Retake or Seek Guidance
If your practice test scores plateau 5+ points below your target school’s median, consider postponing your application to invest more time in LSAT prep. Many pre-law advisors recommend taking a gap year to improve your score if it means the difference between attending a regional school and a top-tier program—the career and scholarship implications often outweigh one year’s delay. If you’re uncertain about your competitiveness, consult your undergraduate pre-law advisor or consider LSAC’s free advising resources.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get into a New York law school with a 155 LSAT?
Yes. Several ABA-accredited New York law schools accept applicants with LSAT scores in the 150-160 range, including New York Law School (median 156), CUNY, and Touro. However, admission also depends on your undergraduate GPA, personal statement, letters of recommendation, and other application factors. Check each school’s official ABA Standard 509 disclosures for their 25th-75th percentile LSAT ranges.
What LSAT score do I need for Columbia or NYU Law?
Columbia Law School’s median LSAT is 173, with admitted students typically scoring 169-175. NYU Law’s median is 172, with a range of 169-174. To be competitive, aim for scores at or above these medians. Scores below the 25th percentile (169) require exceptional compensating factors like a 3.9+ GPA, significant work experience, or unique background.
Do New York law schools average multiple LSAT scores?
No. Most law schools, including all major New York programs, now consider only your highest LSAT score under updated ABA and LSAC policies. Schools report the highest score for rankings purposes, so retaking the test to improve your score carries no penalty. Always verify current policies on individual school websites, but score averaging is largely obsolete.
How important is the LSAT compared to GPA for NY law schools?
Both matter significantly, but LSAT scores often carry slightly more weight because they’re standardized measures. A 170 LSAT with a 3.7 GPA is generally stronger than a 165 LSAT with a 3.9 GPA at most competitive schools. However, holistic review means neither factor alone determines admission—personal statements, work experience, and recommendations also influence decisions.
Should I apply to New York law schools with a below-median LSAT?
It depends on how far below median and what compensating factors you have. If you’re 2-3 points below the median with a strong GPA and compelling personal narrative, you’re still competitive. If you’re 5+ points below the 25th percentile, you should seriously consider retaking the LSAT or applying to schools where your score is closer to the median.
Where can I find official LSAT score data for NY law schools?
The American Bar Association requires all law schools to publish Standard 509 disclosures showing LSAT score ranges, GPA ranges, employment outcomes, and bar passage rates. Visit each school’s website or access ABA Required Disclosures at abarequireddisclosures.org. The Law School Admission Council also provides school comparison tools at lsac.org.
Last Updated: January 24, 2026
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute admissions advice or guarantee acceptance to any law school.
Ready to strengthen your law school application? Research each New York law school’s current LSAT medians and percentile ranges through their ABA Standard 509 disclosures, take a diagnostic LSAT to establish your baseline score, create a structured study plan targeting your goal schools’ median scores, consider whether retaking the LSAT makes strategic sense for your timeline and target schools, and consult with pre-law advisors or LSAC resources to build a comprehensive application strategy beyond test scores alone.
Stay informed, stay protected. — AllAboutLawyer.com
Sources & Citations
- Law School Admission Council (LSAC) – Official LSAT Information: https://www.lsac.org
- American Bar Association Section of Legal Education – Standard 509 Disclosures: https://www.abarequireddisclosures.org
- Columbia Law School – J.D. Admissions FAQs: https://www.law.columbia.edu/admissions/jd/faq
- NYU School of Law – Admissions Information: https://www.law.nyu.edu/jdadmissions
- Individual New York Law School Official Websites – ABA Required Disclosures (Fordham, Cardozo, Brooklyn Law, New York Law School, CUNY, Cornell, Touro)
About the Author
Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
Her writing blends real legal insight with plain-English explanations, helping readers stay informed and legally aware.
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