ABA 509 DATA BY STATE, 2025
Law Schools in Tennessee: LSAT, GPA, Cost, and Jobs (2025)
The myth: cheap law school means a bad job afterward. Tennessee breaks it. The University of Memphis charges $24,354 a year, the lowest sticker of the state's 5 ABA schools, and still places 85.6% of graduates in full-time, long-term jobs. Vanderbilt tops the state at a 170 median LSAT and 98.2% placement, but it costs 3 times as much.
Every ABA law school in Tennessee
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanderbilt | 170 | 3.9 | 13.3% | $76,440 | 98.2% |
| Tennessee | 164 | 3.9 | 24.8% | $35,140 | 91.3% |
| Belmont | 161 | 3.8 | 37.6% | $55,500 | 90.5% |
| Memphis | 155 | 3.5 | 41.1% | $24,354 | 85.6% |
| Lincoln Memorial | 153 | 3.4 | 52.2% | N/A on file | 79.2% |
See what 1 extra LSAT point is worth in grants at each school above.
Reading the Tennessee market
Tennessee's 5 schools cover a wide range without much overlap. Vanderbilt tops the state at a 170 median LSAT, a 3.9 GPA, and a 13.3% acceptance rate. The University of Tennessee is close behind on numbers, a 164 LSAT and the same 3.9 GPA, but far more accessible at a 24.8% acceptance rate. Belmont (161 LSAT, 37.6% acceptance), Memphis (155 LSAT, 41.1% acceptance), and Lincoln Memorial (153 LSAT, 52.2% acceptance) fill out the rest of the field in a fairly even step down.
The cost spread is enormous. Memphis charges $24,354 a year, the cheapest sticker in the state by a wide margin, while Vanderbilt charges $76,440, more than 3 times as much. The University of Tennessee splits the difference in a good way: a 164 median LSAT at $35,140 a year, a rare combination of strong admissions numbers and public-school pricing. Lincoln Memorial discounts the hardest, with a discount share of 99.5%, nearly wiping out its own tuition for the average student.
Job placement drops in a fairly clean line as you move down the admissions ladder. Vanderbilt leads at 98.2% FT/LT, Tennessee follows at 91.3%, then Belmont at 90.5%, Memphis at 85.6%, and Lincoln Memorial at 79.2%. That's not a myth about cheap schools underperforming, it's a real pattern here.
Tennessee is a strong state to apply to in-state, especially at the flagship level. The University of Tennessee offers a honestly rare mix, a top-tier median LSAT and public tuition, and a 91.3% placement rate that rivals private schools costing twice as much. Vanderbilt is worth the price if you get in, the outcomes justify it. For everyone else, Memphis and Belmont are worth a look, but run the numbers through the calculator before assuming the cheapest option is automatically the smartest one.
FAQ
How many ABA-accredited law schools are in Tennessee?
Tennessee has 5 ABA-accredited law schools: Vanderbilt, the University of Tennessee, Belmont, Memphis, and Lincoln Memorial.
What's the easiest law school to get into in Tennessee?
Lincoln Memorial, with a 153 median LSAT and a 52.2% acceptance rate, the softest numbers among Tennessee's 5 schools. Easiest still means a real score, not a guarantee.
What's the cheapest law school in Tennessee?
The University of Memphis, at $24,354 a year in sticker tuition, the lowest in the state and a fraction of Vanderbilt's $76,440.
Which Tennessee law school has the best job placement?
Vanderbilt, at 98.2% full-time, long-term employment within 10 months of graduation, the best rate in the state.
Is it worth going to law school in Tennessee if I don't plan to practice there?
For Vanderbilt and the University of Tennessee, yes, both post outcomes strong enough to travel outside the state. For Memphis or Belmont, it depends more on price: a good grant makes either one worth it, but the placement numbers alone aren't a strong enough draw if you're not staying local.
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.
