Best Law Schools in Washington, D.C.
6 ABA law schools call Washington, D.C. home, ranked below by selectivity (Fall 2025 median LSAT). Where you go to law school shapes where you start your career: local alumni networks, clinics, and bar exam logistics all tilt local. Medians from ABA Standard 509 disclosures via ILRG, Fall 2025 entering class.
| School | Rank | Median LSAT | Median GPA | Est. annual tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgetown University | #13 | 171 | 3.93 | $83,576 |
| George Washington U. | #29 | 168 | 3.86 | $75,420 |
| American University | #67 | 162 | 3.63 | $66,990 |
| Catholic University of America | #74 | 161 | 3.68 | $61,580 |
| Howard University | #122 | 156 | 3.63 | $39,780 |
| University of the District of Columbia | #178 | 151 | 3.28 | $12,438 |
How to judge the Washington, D.C. market
- Bar exam logistics. You will likely take the bar where you study, at least at first. Make sure you want to start your career in DC.
- Alumni concentration. Ask each school where its recent graduates actually work. Local hiring partners recruit deepest at local schools.
- Cost vs. selectivity. The cheapest sticker here is University of the District of Columbia at about $12,438 a year. Weigh that against each school's selectivity and your aid prospects.
- Employment outcomes. We do not publish local employment data, so read each school's ABA-required employment summary: look for full-time, bar-passage-required jobs in the market you want.
What LSAT do you need here?
The most selective school in Washington, D.C. reports a median LSAT of 171. Score at or above a school's median and you are competitive there; 1 to 3 points below is reach territory. What LSAT for Georgetown University · What LSAT for George Washington U. · What LSAT for American University · What LSAT for Catholic University of America · What LSAT for Howard University · What LSAT for University of the District of Columbia
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Medians from ABA Standard 509 disclosures via ILRG, Fall 2025 entering class. Tuition is the 2025-2026 sticker price. All cost figures are estimates, not guarantees.
Last updated October 12, 2026