Southwestern Law School
In its most recent ABA Standard 509 disclosure, Southwestern Law School reported a median LSAT of 157, a median undergraduate GPA of 3.51, and a 36.5% acceptance rate. Its first-time bar passage rate was 64.9%, and 83.4% of graduates were in full-time, long-term JD jobs ten months out.
- Median LSAT 157
- Median undergraduate GPA 3.51
- Acceptance rate 36.5%
- First-time bar passage 64.9%
- Full-time, long-term JD employment 83.4%
- Resident tuition $63,160
Full profile — cost breakdown, job types & state market for Southwestern Law School →
trajectory since 2011
| Year | Median LSAT | Median undergraduate GPA | Acceptance rate | First-time bar passage | Resident tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 154 | 3.29 | — | 58.6% | $42,200 |
| 2012 | 153 | 3.26 | — | 60.7% | $43,850 |
| 2013 | 152 | 3.17 | — | 61.2% | $45,380 |
| 2014 | 151 | 3.20 | — | 73.5% | $47,100 |
| 2015 | 152 | 3.17 | — | 56.1% | $48,280 |
| 2016 | 152 | 3.18 | — | 50.6% | $50,090 |
| 2017 | 152 | 3.24 | 46.0% | — | $52,090 |
| 2018 | 153 | 3.22 | 46.1% | 53.3% | $54,166 |
| 2019 | 153 | 3.30 | 47.9% | 59.6% | $55,316 |
| 2020 | 153 | 3.25 | 46.7% | 65.4% | $55,316 |
| 2021 | 154 | 3.31 | 46.9% | 82.6% | $55,316 |
| 2022 | 154 | 3.36 | 50.4% | 76.1% | $56,146 |
| 2023 | 155 | 3.44 | 49.9% | 60.1% | $58,392 |
| 2024 | 155 | 3.48 | 39.4% | 64.0% | $60,728 |
| 2025 | 157 | 3.51 | 36.5% | 64.9% | $63,160 |
Notable in the data
- Its sharpest one-year move in first-time bar passage came in 2015, from 73.5% to 56.1% (-17.4 pts).
- The entering class's LSAT spans 154–160, with a median of 157.
- Resident tuition moved from $42,200 in 2011 to $63,160 in 2025 (+50%).
- Of 290 graduates, 83.4% landed full-time, long-term JD jobs; 5.5% joined firms of 250+.
- Its first-time pass rate sits 12.8 points below the state average.
Region
California law schools · Pacific region
Peer schools (nearest by median LSAT)
University at Buffalo School of Law · University of Dayton School of Law · Duquesne University School of Law · Hofstra University School of Law · Louisiana State University School of Law
FAQ
What LSAT score do I need for Southwestern Law School?
Southwestern Law School's median LSAT is 157. The middle 50% scored 154–160.
What is Southwestern Law School's bar passage rate?
64.9% passed on their first attempt in the most recent reported cycle, and 87.8% within two years.
How much does Southwestern Law School cost?
Resident tuition is $63,160 per year, $63,160 non-resident. Median grant: $29,166.
What are Southwestern Law School's employment outcomes?
83.4% landed full-time, long-term JD jobs ten months out. 5.5% joined firms of 250+.
How hard is it to get into Southwestern Law School?
Southwestern Law School admitted 36.5% of applicants in the most recent cycle.
Source: ABA Standard 509 Required Disclosures, most recent reported cycle (trend 2011–2025). Last updated June 26, 2026.