Average GPA Harvard Law

The average GPA at Harvard Law School, meaning its reported median, sits high on the 4.0 scale, currently see the linked source (see the linked source). Harvard reads GPA together with the LSAT, so a very strong LSAT can offset a GPA a few hundredths below the median. There is no fixed minimum.

By Ali Unar, JD candidate at Georgetown Law and founder of Lovare Institut. Last updated August 2026. Figures on this page were verified in August 2026 or point readers to the current source.

What GPA do you need to get into Harvard Law?

To be competitive at Harvard Law School you generally want an undergraduate GPA at or above its median, which currently stands at see the linked source (see the linked source). There is no hard minimum, and Harvard admits students below the median every year, but those applicants usually offset it with an LSAT near the top of the school's range. Harvard's own ABA 509 report is the authoritative source for the exact figure.

Is Harvard Law's average GPA the same as the number LSAC reports?

The GPA Harvard reports is your LSAC-calculated cumulative GPA, not necessarily the one on your college transcript. Through the Credential Assembly Service, LSAC standardizes every undergraduate grade onto one 4.0 scale and includes failed and repeated courses. If your college used grade replacement or unusual weighting, your LSAC GPA can differ from your registrar's, so check your CAS Academic Summary Report before comparing yourself to Harvard's median.

How does Harvard's GPA compare to other top law schools?

Harvard's median GPA is among the highest in the country, but several peer schools report similar figures. The table places Harvard alongside other frequently compared schools using each school's ABA 509 medians.

The current ranking is best read directly from the source. See the U.S. News Best Law Schools list for the up-to-date order, and each school's ABA Standard 509 report for its median LSAT, GPA, and acceptance rate.

Can you get into Harvard Law with a lower GPA?

Yes, applicants below Harvard's median GPA are admitted in every class, most often those whose LSAT sits at or above the school's 75th percentile. A clear, brief addendum can contextualize a low grade or a strong upward trend. What rarely works is a GPA below the 25th percentile paired with an average LSAT, since Harvard has far more high-number applicants than seats.

Frequently asked questions

Does pass/fail affect GPA?

For most colleges a pass/fail course does not move your GPA, since a Pass earns no grade points. The grade still shows on your transcript, and LSAC handles such marks under its own rules for the law school GPA, so relying heavily on pass/fail in major courses can raise questions even when your average is unchanged.

How does LSAC calculate GPA?

LSAC computes a single cumulative GPA through the Credential Assembly Service, converting every undergraduate grade to a standard 4.0 scale. Because it counts failed and repeated courses that your school may have dropped, the LSAC number can be lower than your transcript GPA. Harvard and peer schools compare that recalculated figure to their medians.

What GPA do you need for law school?

It depends entirely on your target schools' medians. Harvard Law expects a GPA near the top of the scale, but the roughly 196 ABA-approved schools span a wide range, and many admit applicants in the mid-3.0s. Match a school's median GPA and LSAT to gauge whether you are competitive there.

Sources

• ABA-Approved Law Schools

Verified August 2026.