ABA 509 DATA BY STATE, 2025
Law Schools in District of Columbia: LSAT, GPA, Cost, and Jobs (2025)
$83,576. That's Georgetown's sticker tuition, the highest of any school in Washington, DC's 6-school lineup, and also the most selective at a 171 median LSAT. UDC costs a third of that, $24,874 a year, with a 151 median LSAT and a 37% acceptance rate, and DC's median LSAT across all 6 schools lands at 161.5.
Every ABA law school in District of Columbia
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgetown | 171 | 3.9 | 15.8% | $83,576 | 95.9% |
| George Washington | 168 | 3.9 | 27.2% | $75,420 | 97.1% |
| American | 162 | 3.6 | 33.3% | $66,990 | 82.5% |
| Catholic | 161 | 3.7 | 32.4% | $61,580 | 93.7% |
| Howard | 156 | 3.6 | 24.1% | $39,780 | 87.8% |
| UDC | 151 | 3.3 | 37% | $24,874 | 77.8% |
See what 1 extra LSAT point is worth in grants at each school above.
Reading the District of Columbia market
Washington, DC packs 6 ABA-accredited schools into one city, and the range runs from an elite national brand to a public option built for affordability. Georgetown tops the list at a 171 median LSAT, a 3.9 GPA, and a 15.8% acceptance rate. GW is close behind at a 168 LSAT with a more accessible 27.2% acceptance rate. American (162 LSAT) and Catholic (161 LSAT) sit in a tight middle tier. Howard holds a 156 median LSAT but a tighter 24.1% acceptance rate than several higher-LSAT schools, a sign of how much demand its name still pulls. UDC anchors the bottom at a 151 LSAT and a 37% acceptance rate.
The cost spread here is wide. UDC charges $24,874 a year, the cheapest sticker in DC, while Georgetown charges $83,576, nearly $59,000 more every year. Catholic discounts the hardest at 98.7% by share, nearly wiping out its own tuition for the average admitted student, while Howard discounts the least at 48.4%, despite ranking near the bottom of the pack on both LSAT and price.
Job outcomes cluster at the top and drop off fast at the bottom. GW posts the best FT/LT rate in the city at 97.1%, with Georgetown right behind at 95.9% and Catholic at 93.7%. Howard (87.8%) and American (82.5%) trail that group, and UDC comes in lowest at 77.8%, the tradeoff for the city's most accessible admit.
DC is worth applying to in-state mainly if your numbers reach the top 3. Georgetown, GW, and Catholic all post outcomes above 93%, and DC's legal market is big enough to absorb graduates from several strong schools without flooding it. UDC makes sense on price alone if you have a specific reason to stay and a modest budget, but the 77.8% placement rate is worth running through the calculator against other affordable public options before you commit.
FAQ
How many ABA-accredited law schools are in Washington, DC?
Washington, DC has 6 ABA-accredited law schools: Georgetown, GW, American, Catholic, Howard, and UDC.
What's the easiest law school to get into in Washington, DC?
UDC, with a 151 median LSAT and a 37% acceptance rate, the softest numbers among DC's 6 schools. Easiest still means a real score, not a guarantee.
What's the cheapest law school in Washington, DC?
UDC, at $24,874 a year in sticker tuition, nearly $59,000 less than Georgetown, the priciest school in the city.
Which Washington, DC law school has the best job placement?
GW, at 97.1% full-time, long-term employment within 10 months of graduation, just ahead of Georgetown's 95.9%.
Is it worth going to law school in Washington, DC if I don't plan to practice there?
For Georgetown, GW, and Catholic, yes, all 3 post FT/LT rates above 93%, strong enough to travel outside DC. Howard is solid in the high 80s (87.8%); American is lower, in the low 80s (82.5%). UDC's 77.8% rate makes more sense if you're staying in the DC market to use the school's local network.
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.
