We know that with the launch of our new score-related series, many students must be at least a tad curious about those incredible achievers who score above the 165-172 range. That’s right, we’re talking about those LSAT scores at the tippy top and how they open golden gates upon golden gates: top law schools, full-ride law school scholarships, and packed paychecks. So let’s all stop daydreaming and get into the 173-180 review! After all, what can a 180 LSAT score actually do for you?
Breaking Down the 173-180 LSAT Score Range
First off, if you’re in this LSAT score range, congratulations! You’re officially above the mean, median, and mode (you’re welcome, stats fans). In fact, you’re besting more than 99.4% of your peers. Not bad at all. So, what does that mean for you sky-high, go-getters?
You can apply to pretty much any law school with confidence. Scoring in this range makes you extremely competitive. The cream of the crop is on the table here, including the T14 law schools.
The following table shows the schools with a median LSAT score for admitted full-time student populations. These programs are at the top of the law school world, hence why most LSAT scores fall in the 173-180 range.
Schools With Median LSAT Scores Between 173 and 180
|
Law School |
Rank | Median LSAT Score |
|
Stanford University |
1 (tie) |
173 |
|
Yale University |
1 (tie) |
173 |
|
University of Chicago |
3 |
173 |
|
Harvard University |
6 |
174 |
|
Columbia University |
10 |
173 |
|
Washington University in St. Louis |
14 |
173 |
| Cornell University | 18 |
173 |
Sources: U.S. Department of Education, U.S. News & World Report.
Remember, just because your score matches these averages doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed to get accepted. Law school admissions take into account many factors, and LSAT scores are just one—albeit important—element of your application.
Does a 180 LSAT Score Affect My Legal Career?
Let’s be real for a second: The reason we (or at least most of us) go to law school is to eventually get employed and work as a lawyer. In addition to money, job security is a big issue. So, how do LSAT scores and our law school choice correlate to immediate employment at graduation? Let’s look at the schools listed above:
| Law School | Employed Immediately | Median Private Salary | Median Public Salary |
| Yale University | 89.2% | $190,000 | $70,000 |
| Columbia University | 95.3% | $190,000 | $65,000 |
| Harvard University | 88.1% | $190,000 | $65,000 |
Sources: 2023 U.S. Department of Education, U.S. News & World Report.
As you can see, things are looking pretty good. Compensation in the private and public sectors is all but maxed out. The lowest percentage of students with jobs straight after graduation is still above 88%.
Here at the pinnacle, the correlation between LSAT score and salary isn’t obvious with our three measly data points, but if you check out our other entries in this series, it’ll be blindingly clear. Similarly, those in the 165-172 LSAT score range might’ve noticed that some top twenty law schools have higher employment rates and median public salary than Yale, Columbia, or Harvard. This should serve as a stark reminder that a school’s name and/or pedigree shouldn’t be your deciding factor when choosing a law school.
Ultimately, while it’s very unlikely anyone will ask if you snagged a 180 LSAT score after graduation, achieving a 99th percentile LSAT score can only benefit your career prospects. You’re at the top of your game and job outlooks reflect that.
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Wait—Don’t Rush Your Law School Choice
Note that you should still verify that the school you’re looking at has the optimal prospects within your individual area of interest. Granted, having any of these top law schools listed on your resume will certainly help.
Whatever you choose, high LSAT scores and prestigious schools do make a difference, whether you plan to go into the public or private sector. A difference of about $125,000 between sectors is also nothing to sneeze at. So, be sure to consider what specific area of law you’re shooting for after graduation while you’re applying to law school.
Bigger LSAT Scores. Bigger Law School Scholarships.
While we’re thinking of money, let’s consider the links between LSAT scores and scholarships. This data gets a lot more complex, as most scholarships (both those specific to a program and those not associated with a specific school) rely on several metrics outside of the LSAT score. However, we know that, even with competitive law school admissions, schools have reason to heavily incentivize high-scoring applicants to attend their programs.
Namely, having students who fall into this high 173-180 LSAT score range helps their statistics and, therefore, their rankings. Additionally, schools that offer full rides often lean heavily on LSAT scores as a deciding factor in awarding those scholarships. With a score in the 173-180 range, you will be an extremely compelling candidate for scholarships at many programs.
Final Thoughts
If you’re in this range of scores, the sky really is the limit. You’ve got your pick of the programs. Additionally, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to pay off your student loans faster than your peers or potentially have your tuition covered. But before you pick one of these top schools, make sure it’s one you would be happy to attend. With this score, you can virtually go anywhere. So, all that’s left to do is make your choice.
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