With more and more people applying to law school each year and the number of available spots staying the same, the competition is getting tougher. If you’ve already chosen your dream schools or are still putting together your list, it could be a good idea to apply to a couple of schools with higher acceptance rates and lower admission requirements. Looking into the easiest law schools to get into can help you find options that align with your qualifications and provide a better chance of acceptance.
Sure, these schools might not have the same level of prestige as the top-tier ones, but they offer a much better chance of getting in. Plus, you’ll still get a solid legal education and the same JD degree.
In this blog, we list 15 schools with the highest acceptance rates but with high passage rates at the bar exams. We also include the school’s most recent average required GPA and LSAT scores.
15 Law Schools That Are Easy to Get Into
If you’re looking for the easiest law schools to get into, it’s important to remember that gaining acceptance is never going to be a breeze. That said, some law programs are less selective in their application process. For this list, “easiest” means an acceptance rate of 45% or higher. These schools are ranked from the highest to the lowest acceptance rate.
For comparison, Yale Law is the most selective law school, with an acceptance rate of just 5.6%. Other top-tier schools usually have acceptance rates below 15%. So while getting into any of the schools listed here might still be challenging, they won’t demand the same tough standards as the most competitive programs. Lastly, we only listed the law schools with a bar passage rate of more than 50%.
1. University of North Dakota
- Acceptance rate: 72.7%
- Average GPA: 3.39
- Average LSAT: 150
- Bar passing rate: 69.2% (as of 2023)
Founded in 1899, the University of North Dakota School of Law is the state’s only law school and has played an important role in shaping North Dakota’s legal community. With a strong emphasis on practice-ready education, students gain valuable hands-on experience through externships and simulations.
UND Law is known for its close-knit learning environment, where students receive personalized attention. It’s consistently recognized as a “best value law school,” as it offers high-quality education at an affordable price which is a hallmark of the easiest law schools to get into.
2. Drake University
- Acceptance rate: 71.3%
- Average GPA: 3.55
- Average LSAT: 154
- Bar passing rate: 79.4% (as of 2023)
Founded in 1865, Drake Law School is one of the 25 oldest law schools in the country and the only one located in Iowa’s capital, Des Moines. With a focus on promoting justice and serving communities, Drake provides plenty of practical experience through its unique First-Year Trial Practicum, a top-ranked legal clinic, and strong connections with the local legal community.
For students seeking a well-rounded legal education without the intense competition, Drake Law is often considered one of the easiest law schools to get into that still maintains a strong reputation for ethics, professionalism, and hands-on learning opportunities.
3. Roger Williams University School of Law
- Acceptance rate: 67.3%
- Average GPA: 3.33
- Average LSAT: 150
- Bar passing rate: 87% (as of 2023)
Social justice is deeply ingrained in RWU Law’s mission. It’s shaped the school’s approach from the very beginning. The Feinstein Center for Pro Bono and Experiential Education, led by three full-time attorney faculty members, offers students a valuable educational experience while giving them the chance to address legal needs in the community and support various organizations in their work.
For those looking for the easiest law schools to get into without sacrificing a meaningful education, RWU Law stands out for its commitment to social justice and hands-on learning opportunities. The “Race & the Foundations of American Law” course, one of the first of its kind in the country, encourages students to think critically about the law through a mandatory class that explores important and often overlooked perspectives on race. This course helps prepare students for the ever-changing legal landscape they will soon enter.
4. Loyola University New Orleans School of Law
- Acceptance rate: 66.7%
- Average GPA: 3.39
- Average LSAT: 152
- Bar passing rate: 80.1% (as of 2023)
The full-time JD program at Loyola offers two tracks: (1) civil law, for students who plan to practice in Louisiana or other civil law or mixed legal system areas, and (2) common law, for those likely to practice in states or regions that follow common law.
The program is structured over six semesters of full-time study, with no option to accelerate and finish in less than two and a half years. Most importantly, 94% of their 2023 graduates secured employment within ten months of graduating! Loyola is a great choice since it is one of the easiest law schools to get into.
5. Widener University-Delaware Law School
- Acceptance rate: 65.7%
- Average GPA: 3.26
- Average LSAT: 150
- Bar passing rate: 54.9% (as of 2023)
As a student in Delaware Law’s Juris Doctor (JD) program, you’ll shape your identity as a lawyer, develop practical skills, and expand your legal network within a diverse and supportive community. With both three-year full-time and four-year part-time options, you can choose the path that best fits your life, school, and work commitments. For those exploring the easiest law schools to get into, Delaware Law offers flexibility and a supportive environment.
Throughout the program, you’ll receive specialized training, engage in groundbreaking research, participate in advocacy, influence public policy, and make a real impact through public service, all before you even graduate.
6. Mississippi College School of Law
- Acceptance rate: 61.9%
- Average GPA: 3.38
- Average LSAT: 150
- Bar passing rate: 69.6% (as of 2023)
Mississippi College is one of only two accredited law schools in Mississippi. It offers a wide range of resources for aspiring lawyers. For example, second-year students have access to various law centers that allow them to dive deep into their chosen areas of legal study and practice.
If you’re looking for one of the easiest law schools to get into that still provides quality legal education, Mississippi College stands out for its accessibility and commitment to student success.
7. Oklahoma City University School of Law
- Acceptance rate: 61.9%
- Average GPA: 3.43
- Average LSAT: 148
- Bar passing rate: 69.7% (as of 2023)
The program includes 90 credit hours, featuring required courses, an upper-class writing requirement—options for which include Law Review, Moot Court, Competition Teams, or Directed Research—and plenty of hands-on learning opportunities like clinics and externships.
With an average employment rate of 90% for graduates since 2021, the program helps set you up for success. It’s also ranked among the Best Law Schools for Diversity by preLaw Magazine and considered one of the easiest law schools to get into.
8. Southern University Law Center
- Acceptance rate: 59.7%
- Average GPA: 3.13
- Average LSAT: 146
- Bar passing rate: 52.9% (as of 2023)
Southern University Law Center provides legal education if you are pursuing a juris doctor degree, aiming to prepare graduates for entry into the legal profession, just like other ABA-accredited institutions. The curriculum is designed with a special focus on Civil Law, particularly relevant for practice in Louisiana.
While the program shares many goals with other J.D. programs, it faces unique challenges due to its mission and the diverse student body it serves. The student population includes individuals from a wide range of racial, socioeconomic, and educational backgrounds, making the Law Center’s approach distinct compared to many other law schools across the U.S. If you are looking into the easiest law schools to get into, Southern University Law Center offers an inclusive and supportive environment.
9. North Carolina Central University School of Law
- Acceptance rate: 59.7%
- Average GPA: 3.13
- Average LSAT: 146
- Bar passing rate: 52.9% (as of 2023)
North Carolina Central University School of Law, founded in 1939, was established to create opportunities for African American students to enter the legal field. Staying true to this legacy, the school is committed to offering a high-quality, personalized, and practice-oriented legal education to students from historically underrepresented backgrounds. The goal is to help increase diversity within the legal profession. This cemented them into becoming one of the easiest yet best law schools to get into.
Recently, the school received a five-million-dollar, five-year social equity grant, which supports summer internships for law students at Intel Corporation, as well as mentoring, networking, and scholarship opportunities.
10. Willamette University College of Law
- Acceptance rate: 58.9%
- Average GPA: 3.25
- Average LSAT: 154
- Bar passing rate: 87% (as of 2023)
Willamette’s prime location, right across the street from the Oregon State Capitol, Supreme Court, and various state agencies, offers a unique advantage for students interested in government. This proximity, along with a certificate program and numerous clinical and externship opportunities, makes Willamette an ideal choice for those pursuing a career in public service and is one of the easiest law schools to get into.
Willamette Law graduates enjoy a high employment rate, thanks in part to the support and preparation they receive from the school’s Placement Office. In 2023, all Williamette Law students who passed the bar exams were able to land a job within ten months after passing the bar. This is a 100% employment rate for the school’s bar passers.
11. Southern Illinois University School of Law
- Acceptance rate: 56.7%
- Average GPA: 3.35
- Average LSAT: 150
- Bar passing rate: 59.4% (as of 2023)
Since the first class graduated in 1976, the SIU School of Law has produced over 4,600 graduates. This growing alumni network is a valuable resource for current students and recent grads. It offers support through mentoring, externships, and job opportunities across various sectors of the legal field. This makes SIU School of Law one of the easiest law schools to get into in the country.
SIU ranks #16 out of 193 law schools for the lowest average debt incurred at graduation, according to U.S. News and World Report. Plus, more than 170 SIU alumni serve as judges at the local, state, and federal levels.
12. Charleston School of Law
- Acceptance rate: 56.6%
- Average GPA: 3.54
- Average LSAT: 153
- Bar passing rate: 64.63% (as of 2023)
The Charleston School of Law, an ABA-accredited institution, is known for its strong focus on students. The school boasts impressive accomplishments, including winning the National Tax Moot Court Championship for seven consecutive years from 2012 to 2018.
Students must also complete 50 hours of pro bono service. This reinforces the school’s commitment to public service. With access to over 150 externship sites, students gain valuable hands-on experience both in and out of the classroom. For those looking into the easiest law schools to get into, programs like this provide a solid foundation for practical skills.
13. Thomas Jefferson School of Law
- Acceptance rate: 55%
- Average GPA: 3.0
- Average LSAT: 147
- Bar passing rate: 66.7% (as of 2023)
Thomas Jefferson School of Law, a private, non-profit law school in California, has been preparing students for legal careers since 1969. It offers both residential and online JD programs, as well as LLM degree programs in American Legal Studies and Practice Skills.
With flexible options, you can choose to enroll full- or part-time, take classes during the day, evening, or online, and start in the Summer, Fall, or Spring. There’s even an option to accelerate and complete your degree in as little as two and a half years. For those exploring the easiest law schools to get into, this flexibility offers a great way to balance education with other life commitments while still pursuing a quality legal education.
The curriculum includes fellowship programs in Criminal Law, Intellectual Property Law, Entertainment, and Sports Law, along with a unique three-week summer abroad program in Nice, on the French Riviera.
14. Appalachian School of Law
- Acceptance rate: 48.5%
- Average GPA: 3.13
- Average LSAT: 146
- Bar passing rate: 61.22% (as of 2023)
Unlike many top law schools, Appalachian School of Law (ASL) emphasizes hands-on experience as part of its curriculum. First-year students are required to complete a summer externship or field placement, during which they gain over 200 hours of supervised legal work. This provides valuable practical experience early in their legal education.
If you’re an aspiring law student, ASL offers a great opportunity to join their program and also participate in these unique externships! It is one of the easiest law schools to get into for a reason.
15. John Marshall Law School
- Acceptance rate: 45.8%
- Average GPA: 3.14
- Average LSAT: 151
- Bar passing rate: 66.7% (as of 2023)
The law school offers personalized counseling for students and alumni to explore every aspect of their career search, from private law firms and public interest opportunities to government agencies, judicial clerkships, and alternative career paths. Each student is paired with a counselor and encouraged to meet with them regularly at Atlanta’s John Marshall.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is law school hard to get into?
Yes, law school can be hard to get into due to competitive admissions, especially at top-ranked schools. Factors like GPA, LSAT scores, and personal statements play a crucial role in the selection process.
2. Can you get into law school with a low GPA?
Yes, you can get into law school with a low GPA, but it may be more challenging. Ideally, a GPA of 3.55 or higher will make you more competitive at many law schools. However, at the top 20 law schools, the average GPA is significantly higher, around 3.86. If your GPA is lower, a strong LSAT score, a compelling personal statement, and relevant experience can help offset it. These factors can improve your chances, especially at schools with more flexible admissions requirements.
3. How hard is it to get into law school?
Getting into law school is definitely not for the faint-hearted. If you’re eyeing the top-tier schools, the odds are even slimmer. On average, law schools have an acceptance rate of around 40-45%. It can be much more competitive at top-ranked schools. Elite schools typically have acceptance rates below 20%. However, not every law school has the same sky-high standards—there are some easier law schools to get into that are more flexible with GPA and LSAT scores.
Takeaways
Applying to law school can be daunting, especially with the increasing competition and limited spots available. However, by considering schools with higher acceptance rates and lower admission requirements, you can alleviate some of the stress and improve your chances of success.
- Applying to schools like Loyola University New Orleans and Southern Illinois University, which have acceptance rates of 66.7% and 56.7% respectively give you a better chance of gaining admission while still providing quality legal education.
- Schools like Appalachian School of Law and Charleston School of Law emphasize practical experience through externships and pro bono work.
- Many of the schools mentioned, such as Willamette University and Oklahoma City University, boast strong post-graduation employment rates, largely due to their focus on practical training and career support services.
- Prepare for your law journey as early as your undergraduate or prelaw years. Consult a college admissions expert to help you plan out your academic plan.
Eric Eng
About the author
Eric Eng, the Founder and CEO of AdmissionSight, graduated with a BA from Princeton University and has one of the highest track records in the industry of placing students into Ivy League schools and top 10 universities. He has been featured on the US News & World Report for his insights on college admissions.













