Law Schools in Washington
3 ABA-approved schools · ABA disclosures · updated November 2, 2026
Washington has three ABA-approved law schools: one public and two private. Median LSAT scores for the class that entered in fall 2025 run from 155 at Gonzaga University to 165 at the University of Washington.
Washington law schools compared
| School | Median LSAT | Median GPA | Accepted | Tuition | Bar pass | Lawyer jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Washington School of Law Seattle · Public | 165 | 3.76 | 19.6% | $47,073 | 92.6% | 83.1% |
| Seattle University School of Law Seattle · Private | 159 | 3.60 | 38.9% | $62,558 | 79.5% | 75.5% |
| Gonzaga University School of Law Spokane · Private | 155 | 3.55 | 51.1% | $58,787 | 85.8% | 78.3% |
Tuition is full-time tuition and fees for 2025-26, at the in-state rate for public schools. Bar pass is the first-time rate on 2025 exams in every state where graduates sat; lawyer jobs is the share of 2025 graduates in full-time, long-term jobs requiring bar passage. Each school's page has the detail.
The University of Washington had the highest first-time bar passage rate, 92.6%. The University of Washington placed the largest share of 2025 graduates in lawyer jobs, 83.1%. The University of Washington was the hardest to get into, accepting 19.6% of applicants. The University of Washington charged the least, $47,073.
The Washington bar exam
In 2025, 83.1% of graduates of ABA-approved law schools who took the Washington bar exam for the first time passed, as the ABA reports it. That is the yardstick each school's rate is compared with when its graduates sit here.
Graduates of these schools took it most often in 2025 (schools with at least 10 first-time takers here):
| School | Takers | Passed | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle University | 183 | 150 | 82% |
| University of Washington | 141 | 134 | 95% |
| Gonzaga University | 127 | 114 | 89.8% |
| University of Idaho | 14 | 9 | 64.3% |
| University of Michigan | 14 | 13 | 92.9% |
| George Washington University | 10 | 10 | 100% |
| University of Oregon | 10 | 8 | 80% |
Out-of-state schools that send graduates to Washington
Each school reports the three states where most of its employed graduates work. These schools outside Washington count it among their top three:
- Lewis & Clark Law School (OR): 13 employed 2025 graduates
- University of Oregon (OR): 11 employed 2025 graduates
- University of Idaho (ID): 8 employed 2025 graduates
- Willamette University (OR): 7 employed 2025 graduates
- Chapman University (CA): 2 employed 2025 graduates
- Santa Clara University (CA): 2 employed 2025 graduates
- University of the Pacific, McGeorge (CA): 2 employed 2025 graduates
Practicing in Washington: Washington Rules of Civil Procedure · Washington procedural guides.
Check your own numbers against these schools with the LSAT and GPA school finder.
Frequently asked questions
How many law schools are in Washington?
Washington has 3 ABA-approved law schools: Gonzaga University School of Law, Seattle University School of Law, University of Washington School of Law.
Which Washington law school has the highest bar passage rate?
University of Washington School of Law, where 92.6% of first-time takers passed in 2025.
What is the cheapest law school in Washington?
University of Washington School of Law, at $47,073 a year in full-time tuition and fees for 2025-26 (in-state rate).
What is the hardest law school to get into in Washington?
By acceptance rate, University of Washington School of Law, which accepted 19.6% of applicants for fall 2025, with a median LSAT of 165.
What is the Washington bar exam pass rate?
In 2025, 83.1% of first-time takers from ABA-approved law schools passed the Washington bar exam, as the ABA reports it.