Law schools in California
California has 17 ABA law schools, sorted below by median LSAT, highest first. Medians from ABA Standard 509 disclosures via ILRG, Fall 2025 entering class. Tuition figures are 2025-2026 sticker-price estimates.
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| School | City | Median LSAT | Median GPA | Est. annual tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stanford University | Stanford | 173 | 3.96 | $77,454 |
| University of California, Los Angeles | Los Angeles | 171 | 3.95 | $71,329 nonresident / $59,084 in-state |
| University of California, Berkeley | Berkeley | 170 | 3.92 | $76,149 nonresident / $62,532 in-state |
| University of California, Irvine | Irvine | 169 | 3.80 | $71,325 nonresident / $59,080 in-state |
| University of Southern California | Los Angeles | 169 | 3.91 | $84,034 |
| University of California, Davis | Davis | 165 | 3.70 | $69,705 nonresident / $57,460 in-state |
| Pepperdine University | Malibu | 164 | 3.85 | $72,920 |
| Chapman University | Orange | 163 | 3.70 | $63,126 |
| Loyola Law School | Los Angeles | 163 | 3.74 | $70,360 |
| University of San Diego | San Diego | 163 | 3.84 | $66,950 |
| University of California, Hastings | San Francisco | 161 | 3.71 | $61,773 nonresident / $53,087 in-state |
| Santa Clara University | Santa Clara | 159 | 3.50 | $68,790 |
| Southwestern University | Los Angeles | 157 | 3.51 | $63,160 |
| University of the Pacific (McGeorge) | Sacramento | 156 | 3.52 | $62,678 |
| California Western | San Diego | 155 | 3.50 | $64,720 |
| University of San Francisco | San Francisco | 155 | 3.47 | $59,800 |
| Western State University | Irvine | 152 | 3.36 | $54,840 |
Applying in California
If you live in California, check the public schools first: in-state tuition can cut the sticker price sharply, and some states let you establish residency after your first year. Compare each school's median LSAT to your score as a rough rule of thumb: at the median you are competitive, a few points below you are reaching, a few points above you are strong. Each school's page has the full breakdown.
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Last updated October 12, 2026