ABA 509 DATA BY STATE, 2025
Law Schools in Virginia: LSAT, GPA, Cost, and Jobs (2025)
"The flagship is almost always the best value in-state." That line shows up in every law school advice video, and Virginia proves it. George Mason charges $40,978 a year, the cheapest sticker among the state's 8 ABA schools, while UVA sits at the top with a 173 median LSAT and a 98.7% FT/LT rate, at nearly double the price.
Every ABA law school in Virginia
Ranked by median LSAT, highest first. Every school's own page has the full 25th/50th/75th breakdown, cost, and job outcomes.
| School | LSAT 50th | GPA 50th | Accept. rate | Sticker/yr | FT/LT jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UVA | 173 | 4.0 | 10.2% | $76,396 | 98.7% |
| George Mason | 169 | 3.9 | 15.9% | $40,978 | 94.9% |
| Washington and Lee | 167 | 3.8 | 22.7% | $57,450 | 95% |
| William & Mary | 166 | 3.8 | 22% | $62,900 | 91.8% |
| Richmond | 164 | 3.8 | 39.6% | $57,700 | 93.4% |
| Regent | 158 | 3.7 | 44.3% | N/A on file | 92.9% |
| Liberty | 154 | 3.5 | 58.8% | $43,150 | 75.9% |
| Appalachian | 146 | 3.2 | 60.9% | $41,000 | 79.5% |
See what 1 extra LSAT point is worth in grants at each school above.
Reading the Virginia market
Virginia's 8 schools stretch from a T14 powerhouse to some of the most accessible admits in the country. UVA leads with a 173 median LSAT, a 4.0 GPA, and a 10.2% acceptance rate. George Mason (169 LSAT, 15.9% acceptance), Washington and Lee (167 LSAT, 22.7% acceptance), William & Mary (166 LSAT, 22% acceptance), and Richmond (164 LSAT, 39.6% acceptance) form a honestly strong middle tier. Regent, Liberty, and Appalachian sit well below that, with median LSATs from 158 down to 146 and acceptance rates climbing above 60% at the bottom.
The cost spread runs from $40,978 at George Mason to $76,396 at UVA, a gap of over $35,000 a year for schools separated by only 4 LSAT points at the top of the range. Liberty discounts the most aggressively, a 100% discount share, meaning the average grant fully offsets tuition for the typical admitted student. William & Mary discounts the least among the state's top schools at 65.9%, with UVA close behind at 66.3%, both schools that need the discount least.
Outcomes mostly track the admissions tier, with 2 clear exceptions at the bottom. UVA posts the state's best FT/LT rate at 98.7%, and Washington and Lee, George Mason, Richmond, William & Mary, and Regent all land between 91.8% and 95%, a tight, strong cluster. Liberty and Appalachian break from that pattern, at 75.9% and 79.5%, the widest drop-off in the state between admissions accessibility and job outcomes.
Virginia is a strong state to apply to in-state at almost every level except the bottom. UVA is worth the price if you get in, full stop. George Mason is the standout value play, a 169 median LSAT and public tuition with a 94.9% placement rate to match. Liberty and Appalachian are the 2 to think through carefully: friendly admissions and heavy discounting are real advantages, but placement rates in the mid-to-high 70s mean the calculator should get a hard look before you commit to either one.
FAQ
How many ABA-accredited law schools are in Virginia?
Virginia has 8 ABA-accredited law schools: UVA, George Mason, Washington and Lee, William & Mary, Richmond, Regent, Liberty, and Appalachian.
What's the easiest law school to get into in Virginia?
Appalachian, with a 146 median LSAT and a 60.9% acceptance rate, the softest numbers among Virginia's 8 schools. Easiest still means a real score, not a guarantee.
What's the cheapest law school in Virginia?
George Mason, at $40,978 a year in sticker tuition, the lowest of Virginia's 8 schools and over $35,000 less than UVA.
Which Virginia law school has the best job placement?
UVA, at 98.7% full-time, long-term employment within 10 months of graduation, the strongest outcome of any school in the state.
Is it worth going to law school in Virginia if I don't plan to practice there?
For UVA, George Mason, Washington and Lee, William & Mary, and Richmond, yes, all 5 post FT/LT rates above 90%, outcomes strong enough to carry weight outside the state. For Liberty or Appalachian, placement rates in the high 70s make that a harder case unless a grant makes the price too good to pass up.
Source: ABA Standard 509 Information Reports, 2015 to 2025, via LSAT Unplugged's 509 master. Verify against each school's own filing before relying on it. Last updated 2026-10-05.
