The first-year class of LSU Law students takes a break from orientation for a class photo on the front steps of the Old Law Center on Friday, Aug. 15.

LSU Law welcomed students back to the LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center for the start of the 2025-26 academic year on Monday, Aug. 18, including the largest class of first-year students in recent history. The first-year class includes 231 students, up from 228 a year ago and from 211 two years ago.

Total LSU Law enrollment stands at 656 students this year, with 215 second-year students, 194 third-year students, and 16 students pursuing a Master of Laws (LLM) degree. Total enrollment is up from 644 students at the start of the fall semester last year.

This year’s first-year class posted slightly higher median LSAT and GPA scores than last year’s entering class, with the median LSAT score rising one point to 157 and the median GPA increasing 0.02 points to 3.71.  The class represents 79 undergraduate schools, 28 states, and three foreign countries. Sixty percent are females, 61% are Louisiana residents, and LSU is the top undergraduate school represented.

“Our admissions team has fueled remarkable growth, supported by an innovative social media campaign designed by our marketing and communications team to align with the admissions cycle,” said LSU Law Dean Alena M. Allen. “The LSU brand, and LSU Law in particular, has never been stronger. Our incoming classes boast the highest academic credentials in a decade, our current U.S. News & World Report ranking of No. 84 is the best in more than 10 years and our graduates are securing jobs at record rates.”

Notably, the first-year class also includes 19 students enrolled as part of the 3+3 Program, which allows eligible students the opportunity to earn their undergraduate LSU degree and their law degree in six years, rather than seven. This year’s 3+3 Program student enrollment is the highest it has been since the program was launched in 2015.

In the week leading up to the start of the fall semester, first-year law students participated in their two-day orientation event on Aug. 14-15, which included the annual class photo on the front steps of the Old Law Center. All first-year and LLM students were also invited to the annual Welcome to the Profession Dinner, which was held on the evening of Aug. 14.

Orientation for this year’s LLM students took place over two weeks leading up to the start of fall semester classes. Students pursuing their Master of Laws degree over the coming year represent six countries, including France, Trinidad and Tobago, Nepal, Brazil, Kenya, and Mexico.

The annual Trial Advocacy Program for third-year law students also took place in the week preceding the start of the fall semester, with nearly 100 students participating in the optional three-day program. See a gallery of photos from this year’s Trial Advocacy Program.