The University of Georgia now has the strongest current entering-class numbers in the state: its Fall 2026 J.D. class reports a 169 median LSAT and 3.93 median GPA. Emory remains the strongest private national-brand option in Atlanta. Georgia State is the state’s standout public-value choice inside the Atlanta market, while Mercer is a strong regional/trial-practice option in Macon.
| School | Current profile signal | Best reason to consider it |
|---|---|---|
| UGA Law | 169 LSAT / 3.93 GPA (2026) | Public flagship, elite current credentials, low resident cost, statewide reach |
| Emory Law | Highly selective private school | Atlanta BigLaw/business market, national private-school portability |
| Georgia State | 161 / 3.69 (2026) | Atlanta location + $17,596 resident tuition + strong bar/employment value |
| Mercer Law | 159 / 3.63 (2026) | Macon/regional practice, advocacy, 95% employed or full-time LLM |
| Atlanta's John Marshall | Access-oriented private option | Atlanta location; evaluate current ABA outcomes and cost carefully |
UGA has the strongest current numerical and public-value case. Emory can be the better choice for students prioritizing Atlanta large-firm/private-sector recruiting and a private-school national network.
UGA’s current class profile is now exceptionally strong and the school benefits from public pricing. Emory’s advantage is Atlanta location and a private-school employer/alumni network concentrated in the city’s large firms and corporate market.
The better choice often comes down to scholarship-adjusted cost and whether you want Athens/statewide public value or Atlanta private-sector proximity.
Georgia State’s 2026–27 entering class reports a 161 median LSAT and 3.69 median GPA. It lists full-time Georgia-resident tuition and fees of $17,596 and reports 92.8% of the Class of 2025 in full-time, long-term bar-required or J.D.-advantage jobs.
Mercer’s 2026 entering class reports a 159 median LSAT and 3.63 median GPA. The school reports 95% of the Class of 2025 employed or enrolled in a full-time LLM within 10 months and highlights substantial advocacy/experiential training.
Emory and Georgia State are the two strongest Atlanta-centered choices for most applicants. Emory has the stronger national/private-sector brand; Georgia State is the much lower-cost public option.
UGA has the strongest current entering credentials and public-value case; Emory is the strongest private Atlanta option.
169 for the Fall 2026 entering J.D. class.
UGA wins on current public value and entering credentials; Emory can win for Atlanta private-sector access and national private-school branding.
Yes. It combines Atlanta location, low resident tuition, a 161 current median LSAT and strong recent employment/bar outcomes.
Emory and Georgia State are the leading Atlanta-centered options.
Current data were checked against UGA’s Fall 2026 class release, Georgia State’s current entering-class profile, and Mercer’s current J.D. profile.
Written by Ali Unar, Founder, Lovare Institut. Verified September 19, 2026.