Legal Education Data Deck - Key Trends on Access, Affordability, and Value, November 2025

Legal Education Data Deck Key trends on access, affordability, and value AccessLex.org 1

Foreword The 2025 Legal Education Data Deck utilizes datasets made publicly available by third parties to offer a snapshot of certain trends organized around the three guiding principles of AccessLex Institute’s research agenda: access, affordability, and value in legal education. This is a living document that is updated periodically — AccessLex welcomes comments, criticisms, and suggestions in order to make this as useful a tool as possible for all those we serve.

The data contained herein exists thanks to the work of the Law School Admission Council, the National Conference of Bar Examiners, the National Association for Law Placement, the American Bar Association Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar, the U.S. Department of Education, and the U.S. Department of Labor. We thank these and other organizations for making such data available.

AccessLex Institute uses these data as the basis for the presentation, analysis, and commentary contained herein and takes sole responsibility for the quality and accuracy of such presentation, analysis, and commentary.

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About AccessLex Institute® AccessLex Institute, in partnership with its nearly 200 nonprofit and state-affiliated ABA-approved member law schools, has been committed to improving access to legal education and to maximizing the affordability and value of a law degree since 1983. The AccessLex Center for Legal Education Excellence® advocates for policies that make legal education work better for students and society alike and conducts research on the most critical issues facing legal education today. The AccessLex Center for Education and Financial Capability® offers on-campus and online financial education programming and resources to help students confidently manage their finances on their way to achieving personal and professional success. AccessLex Institute is a nonprofit organization headquartered in West Chester, PA.

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Law Students in the United States Fall 2024 J.D. Enrollment, by State.

10,001 or more ME

AK

5,001 – 10,000 VT

MA

NH

2,501 – 5,000 NY

MI

RI

CT

1,001 – 2,500 ND

MT

WA

WI

MN

OH

IN

NJ

PA

1000 or fewer WY

ID

OR

UT

CA

NV

NE

CO

AZ

IA

SD

NM

TX

KY

MO

AR

KS

MS

OK

LA

WV

IL

MD

DE

No J.D. enrollment reported

DC

VA

NC

TN

SC

AL

GA PR

HI FL

Note: This map includes the 196 ABA-approved AccessLex Institute member schools reporting enrollment as of 2024.

Data Source: American Bar Association, 2024a. Data presentation, analysis, and commentary by AccessLex Institute. Retrieved on December 20, 2024.

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Total Lawyers by Jurisdiction, 2024

ME

AK VT

NY

MI

WY

ID

OR

ND

MT

WA

UT

CA

NV

IA

SD NE

CO

AZ

WI

MN

NM

MO

TX

LA

KY AR

MS

OK

WV

IL

KS

OH

IN

MA

NH

60,000 – 100,000

RI

CT

20,000 – 60,000

NJ

PA

MD

100,000 or more

1,000 – 20,000

DE

No Data

DC

VA NC

TN

SC

AL

GA

HI

PR FL

Note: The ABA did not provide data for the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or other U.S. territories.

Data Source: American Bar Association, 2024. Data presentation, analysis, and commentary by AccessLex Institute. Retrieved on January 10, 2025.

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Lawyers Per Capita by Jurisdiction, 2024

ME

AK VT

NY

MI

WY

ID

OR

ND

MT

WA

UT

CA

NV

IA

SD NE

CO

AZ

WI

MN

NM

TX

KY

MO

AR

MS

OK

LA

WV

IL

KS

OH

IN

4–5

RI

3–4

NJ

PA

VA

MA

NH

CT

MD

5 or more

1–3

DE

No Data

DC NC

TN

SC

AL

GA PR

HI FL

Note: The ABA did not provide data for the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or other U.S. territories.

Data Source: American Bar Association, 2024. Data presentation, analysis, and commentary by AccessLex Institute. Retrieved on January 10, 2025.

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Table of Contents Access

1

Applicants, Admission, and Matriculation in Law School Law School Applicants, Admits, and Matriculants, 2004-2024..................................................................................................................................................... 2 Law School Admission and Matriculation Rates, 2005-2024........................................................................................................................................................ 3 Application Share and Admission Rate by Gender, 2013-2024.................................................................................................................................................... 4 Racial and Ethnic Diversity of Law School Applicants, 2024......................................................................................................................................................... 5 Admission Rates by Race/Ethnicity and Overall, 2024................................................................................................................................................................ 6 LSAT Score Distribution by Race/Ethnicity, 2023......................................................................................................................................................................... 7

Law School Enrollment Total J.D. Enrollment by Gender, 1982-2024............................................................................................................................................................................... 8 Percentage of First-Year Enrolled J.D. Students of Color Relative to Percentage of Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded to Students of Color in Prior Year, 2014-2024............................................................................................. 9 Highest Level of Parent Education Among Graduate Students by Program Type, 2019-2020......................................................................................................... 10 Percentage of Students Enrolled in Graduate and Professional Programs Who Received Pell Grants as Undergrads, 2019-2020...............................................................................................................................................................11 1L Enrollment Share by Race and Ethnicity, 2024.......................................................................................................................................................................12 First-Year Enrollment by Race/Ethnicity Compared to First-Year Non-Transfer Attrition by Race/Ethnicity, 2023-2024.......................................................................13 Number of ABA-approved Law Schools Accounting for Half or More of Law Students of Each Race/Ethnicity, 2024...................................................................... 14

J.D. Degrees Awarded Share of J.D. Degrees Awarded by Race and Ethnicity, 2024..................................................................................................................................................... 15 Total J.D. Degrees Awarded and Percentage of J.D. Degrees Awarded to Students of Color at ABA-Approved Law Schools, 2007-2024.................................................................................................................................................... 16

Affordability

17

Average Full-Time Tuition and Fees (in 2024 Dollars) by School Type and Residency, 2016-2024.................................................................................................. 18 Median Grant Amount Awarded to Full-Time Students, 2011-2023............................................................................................................................................. 19

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Table of Contents Share of Full-Time Students Receiving Institutional Grants, 2013-2023......................................................................................................................................... 20 Average Financial Aid Packages by Race/Ethnicity, 2020.......................................................................................................................................................... 21 Trends in Awarding and Eliminating Conditional Scholarships at ABA-Approved Law Schools, 2011-2023..................................................................................... 22 Percentage of Scholarships Awarded by ABA-Approved Law Schools by Race, 2023.................................................................................................................. 23 Percentage of Law Students Who Still Owe on Undergraduate Loans, 2019-2020....................................................................................................................... 24 Percentage of Law Students Who Worked While Enrolled, by Year and Institution Type, 2004-2020............................................................................................. 25 Percentage of Law Graduates Who Borrowed for Graduate Education, by Year and Institution Type, 2004-2020.......................................................................... 26 Percentage of Graduate or Professional Program Students Who Borrowed While Enrolled by Program Type, 2020....................................................................... 27 Cumulative Amount Borrowed (in 2025 Dollars) by Law Students While Enrolled, by Year and Institution Type, 2004-2020............................................................ 28 Average Amounts Borrowed by 2020 Graduates by Program Type and Overall (in 2025 Dollars) Among Those Who Borrowed.................................................... 29

Value

30

Occupations Requiring Graduate or Professional Degree with Largest Projected Increase in Employment, 2023-2033.................................................................... 31 Percentage of ABA-Approved Law School Graduates Passing the Bar by Attempt and Administration, 2014-2024......................................................................... 32 First-Time Bar Passage Rates for Graduates of ABA-Approved Law Schools by State, 2024.......................................................................................................... 33 Change in First-Time Bar Passage Rates for Graduates of ABA-Approved Law Schools, by Exam Jurisdiction, 2023-2024............................................................... 34 First-Time Bar Passage by Race/Ethnicity, 2024........................................................................................................................................................................ 35 First-Time and Ultimate Bar Passage by Race and Ethnicity, 2022............................................................................................................................................... 36 Recent J.D. Graduates by Employment Status, 2013-2024.......................................................................................................................................................... 37 Median Salary (in 2025 Dollars) of Recent J.D. Graduates by Employment Type, 2013-2024........................................................................................................ 38 Median Salary of Recent J.D. Graduates by Region, 2024......................................................................................................................................................... 39 Full-Time and Part-Time Status of Employed Recent J.D. Graduates, 2013-2024........................................................................................................................... 40 Recent J.D. Graduate Employment by Sector, 2013-2024........................................................................................................................................................... 41 Median Salary (in 2025 Dollars) of Recent J.D. Graduates by Sector, 2013-2024........................................................................................................................ 42 Median Amount Borrowed for Graduate Education and Median Earnings of Recent Graduates by Program Type, 2019 and 2020 ................................................ 43 Percentage of Advanced Degree Recipients Who Believe Their Graduate Degree Was Worth the Cost ......................................................................................... 44

Detailed Data Sources

45 AccessLex.org viii

Access AccessLex.org 1

Law School Applicants, Admits, and Matriculants, 2004-2024 Although the number of applicants, admitted applicants, and matriculants all increased between 2023 and 2024, the number of applicants increased by a wider margin than the numbers of admitted applicants and matriculants.

The number of applications increased by 3,400 whereas the number of admitted applicants and matriculants increased by approximately 2,000.

+3,400 Applicants

110,000

+2,000 Admitted Applicants

+1,800 Matriculants

100,600

Applicants 64,800 55,700

55,900 55,000

Admitted Applicants 44,900

43,500 45,400

Matriculants 39,600

37,900

0

2004

2006

2008

2010

2012

2014

2016

2018

2020

Note: Data from 2004-2015 is from the fall term only; from 2016 on, data reflects all terms.

Data Source: Law School Admission Council, 2024. Data presentation, analysis, and commentary by AccessLex Institute. Retrieved on December 20, 2024.

2022

2024

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Law School Admission and Matriculation Rates, 2005-2024 The overall law school admission rate fell by half a percentage point between 2023 and 2024, with 69% of applicants receiving offers of admission. This marks the fifth consecutive year in which less than 70% of applicants were offered admission. In 2024, the matriculation rate remained at 88%, marking the eleventh consecutive year in which 85-88% of admitted applicants matriculated.

Half a percentage point decrease in admission rate compared to 2023

No change in matriculation rate compared to 2023

100% 87%

Matriculation Rate

88%

Admission Rate

69%

81% 78%

70%

56% 40%

2004

2006

2008

2010

2012

2014

2016

2018

Note: Data from 2004-2015 is from the fall term only; from 2016 on, data reflects all terms.

Data Source: Law School Admission Council, 2024. Data presentation, analysis, and commentary by AccessLex Institute. Retrieved on December 20, 2024.

2020

2022

2024

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Application Share and Admission Rate by Gender, 2013-2024 Women have comprised a growing majority of law school applicants for the past ten years. However, during the same period, the admission rate among men has remained higher than that for women. As a result, in 2024, women comprised 56% of admitted applicants compared to 57% of applicants.

Admission Rate, Men

Admission Rate, Women

Application Share, Men

Application Share, Women

100%

79% 72%

72%

69% 54%

68%

75%

50%

49%

57%

50% 44%

0%

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

40%

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

Note: Publicly available data on law school applicants and admitted applicants do not report the percentage of applicants who prefer not to disclose their gender or who self-identify as transgender, gender nonbinary, or genderqueer/gender fluid. As a result, data for these applicants cannot be displayed and percentages of applicants by gender do not sum to 100%.

Data Source: Law School Admission Council, 2024. Data presentation, analysis, and commentary by AccessLex Institute. Retrieved on December 20, 2024.

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Racial and Ethnic Diversity of Law School Applicants, 2024 The racial and ethnic composition of law school applicants has remained relatively steady in recent years. In 2024, White applicants comprised roughly half of the applicant pool, while Black, Asian, and Hispanic/Latine applicants collectively comprised one-third.

60%

48% 30%

12%

0%

Caucasian/White

Black/African American

12%

Two or More

11%

Hispanic/Latine including Puerto Rican

10%

Asian

0.4%

0.1%

American Indian/Alaska Native

Native Hawaiian/ Other Pacific Islander

Note: Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Australian applicants represent less than 0.1% of all law school applicants and are not displayed. Percentages do not sum to 100% because students whose race is not indicated are omitted from figure.

Data Source: Law School Admission Council, 2024. Data presentation, analysis, and commentary by AccessLex Institute. Retrieved on December 20, 2024.

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Admission Rates by Race/Ethnicity and Overall, 2024 Admissions rates differ markedly by applicants’ race and ethnicity. Seventy-nine percent of White applicants received at least one law school admission offer compared to 45% of Black applicants.

100%

79% 69%

69%

66%

Overall: 69% 57% 52% 45%

0%

Caucasian/White

Native Hawaiian/ Other Pacific Islander

Asian

Two or More

Hispanic/Latine American including Puerto Rican Indian/Alaska Native

Note: Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Australian applicants represent less than 0.1% of all law school applicants and are not displayed.

Data Source: Law School Admission Council, 2024. Data presentation, analysis, and commentary by AccessLex Institute. Retrieved on December 20, 2024.

Black/African American

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LSAT Score Distribution by Race/Ethnicity, 2023 While more than 40% of White and Asian applicants attain LSAT scores of 160 or higher, less than 20% of Black, Hispanic, and American Indian or Alaska Native applicants do the same. Overreliance on LSAT score in admissions may exacerbate the underrepresentation of these students in law school.

120-139

Asian

13%

White

16%

Two or More

6%

Hispanic

140-149

150-159

160-169

31%

33%

17%

Black

17%

31%

40%

35%

American Indian or Alaska Native

20%

41%

24%

9%

170-180

23%

38%

34%

7%

15%

35%

44%

10%

12%

29%

0%

9% 100%

Data Source: Law School Admission Council, 2024. Data presentation, analysis, and commentary by AccessLex Institute. Retrieved on May 6, 2024.

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Total J.D. Enrollment by Gender, 1984-2024 Since 2016, female enrollment has exceeded male enrollment. In 2024, the proportion of female enrollees remained unchanged from the prior year at 56%. Meanwhile, 2024 marks the 15th consecutive year in which the number of male enrollees declined.

Total J.D. Enrollment, Men

Total J.D. Enrollment, Women

100,000

73,000 64,700 55,800 55,100

49,000

46,900

0 1984

1989

1994

1999

2004

2009

2014

Data Source: American Bar Association, 2024a. Data presentation, analysis, and commentary by AccessLex Institute. Retrieved on December 20, 2024.

2019

2024

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Percentage of First-Year Enrolled J.D. Students of Color Relative to Percentage of Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded to Students of Color in Prior Year, 2014-2024 The increase in the proportion of students of color among first-year law school students mirrors the change in the proportion among bachelor’s degree recipients over the period shown.

50%

% of Bachelor's Degrees Awarded to Students of Color

40%

37% 30% 29%

1L Students of Color

0%

Note: “Students of color” includes students who identified as American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Black or African American, Hispanic/Latine, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, or Two or More Races.

Data Source: American Bar Association, 2025. U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics, 2024. Data presentation, analysis, and commentary by AccessLex Institute. Retrieved on August 14, 2025.

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Highest Level of Parent Education Among Graduate Students by Program Type, 2019-2020 Among law students in 2019-2020, 22% had a parent whose highest educational attainment was less than a bachelor’s degree. Relative to other graduate programs, only medical school students were less likely to have a parent who had not attained a bachelor’s degree.

Less than a Bachelor’s Degree

Medicine (M.D.) or Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.)

18%

Law (LL.B. or J.D.)

22%

Ph.D. and Other Doctoral

35%

Other Medicine

35%

Master's

43%

Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.)

47%

Master of Public Admin or Policy

50%

Ed.D.

59% 0%

Bachelor’s Degree

Graduate Degree

26%

56% 24%

54% 27%

39%

30%

35% 28%

29%

25%

28%

23%

27% 16%

50%

25% 100%

Note: Data presented reflects only U.S. citizens and permanent residents. International students are excluded from analysis due to differences in financial eligibility. “Other Master’s” includes any master’s credential other than an M.B.A. or an M.P.P./M.P.A. “Ph.D. and Other Doctoral” includes all nonmedical doctorates other than a Doctor of Education. “Other Medicine” includes medical doctoral degrees other than an M.D. or a D.O., in disciplines like dentistry (D.D.S.), pharmacy (Pharm.D.), and veterinary medicine (D.V.M.).

Data Source: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, 2019-20 National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS:20). Data presentation, analysis, and commentary provided by AccessLex Institute. Retrieved on January 28, 2025.

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Percentage of Students Enrolled in Graduate and Professional Programs Who Received Pell Grants as Undergrads, 2019-2020 The proportion of students enrolled in graduate and professional programs who received Pell Grants as undergraduate students varies by discipline. Among law students in 2019-2020, 37% received a Pell Grant during their undergraduate studies.

Relative to other graduate programs, this proportion was only higher than M.D., D.O., and non-Ed.D. doctoral students.

Master of Public Admin or Policy

53%

Other Master's

50%

Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.)

50%

Other Medicine

44%

Ed.D.

42%

Law (LL.B. or J.D.)

37%

Ph.D. and Other Doctoral

35%

Medicine (M.D.) or Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.)

32% 0%

50%

100%

Note: “Other Master’s” includes any master’s credential other than an M.B.A. or an M.P.P./M.P.A. “Ph.D. and Other Doctoral” includes all nonmedical doctorates other than a Doctor of Education. “Other Medicine” includes medical doctoral degrees other than an M.D. or a D.O., in disciplines like dentistry (D.D.S.), pharmacy (Pharm.D.), and veterinary medicine (D.V.M.).

Data Source: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, 2019-20 National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS:20). Data presentation, analysis, and commentary provided by AccessLex Institute. Retrieved on January 28, 2025.

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1L Enrollment Share by Race and Ethnicity, 2024 In 2024, White students comprised over 55% of first-year law students. Meanwhile, Hispanic, Asian, and Black students collectively comprised about one-third of first-year students.

70% 57%

35%

14%

0%

Caucasian/White

Hispanic/Latine

10%

Asian

8%

Black/African American

4%

0.4%

0.1%

Two or More Races

American Indian/Alaska Native

Native Hawaiian Other Pacific Islander

Note: Percentages do not sum to 100% because students whose race is unknown are omitted from figure.

Data Source: American Bar Association, 2024a. Data presentation, analysis, and commentary by AccessLex Institute. Retrieved on December 20, 2024.

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First-Year Enrollment by Race/Ethnicity Compared to First-Year Non-Transfer Attrition by Race/Ethnicity, 2023-2024 In the entering class of 2023-2024, students of color comprised 35% of first-year enrollees and 48% of non-transfer withdrawals after the 1L year. In contrast, White students comprised 58% of first-year enrollees but only 47% of non-transfer withdrawals.

Percentage of First-Year Enrollment

Percentage of First-Year Non-Transfer Attrition

75%

58% 50%

47%

25% 14%

18%

15% 8%

8%

9% 4%

4%

0% Caucasian/ White

Hispanic/ Latine

Black/African American

Asian

Two or More Races

0%

1%

American Indian/Alaska Native

Note: Percentages do not sum to 100% because students whose race is unknown are omitted from figure.

Data Source: American Bar Association, 2024a. Data presentation, analysis, and commentary by AccessLex Institute. Retrieved on December 20, 2024.

0%

0%

Native Hawaiian/ Other Pacific Islander

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Number of ABA-approved Law Schools Accounting for Half or More of Law Students of Each Race/Ethnicity, 2024 The chart displays the minimum number of ABA-approved schools whose combined enrollments make up half or more of each racial/ethnic group. For instance, half of all Hispanic/Latine law students are enrolled at just 37 of the 196 ABA-approved law schools. Overall, this chart indicates that students of color are concentrated within a relatively small number of law schools.

75% 64

37

35

31

17 10 0% Caucasian/White

Hispanic/Latine

Black/African American

Asian

American Indian/Alaska Native

Data Source: American Bar Association, 2024a. Data presentation, analysis, and commentary by AccessLex Institute. Retrieved on December 20, 2024.

Native Hawaiian/ Other Pacific Islander

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Share of J.D. Degrees Awarded by Race and Ethnicity, 2024 In 2024, White students comprised nearly two-thirds of law school graduates, while Asian, Black, and Hispanic/ Latine applicants collectively comprised roughly one-quarter.

75% 62%

13% 8%

8%

4%

0.4%

0.2%

American Indian/Alaska Native

Native Hawaiian Other Pacific Islander

0% Caucasian/ White

Hispanic/ Latine

Asian

Black/African American

Two or More Races

Note: Percentages do not sum to 100% because students whose race is unknown are omitted from figure.

Data Source: American Bar Association, 2024a. Data presentation, analysis, and commentary by AccessLex Institute. Retrieved on January 22, 2025.

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Total J.D. Degrees Awarded and Percentage of J.D. Degrees Awarded to Students of Color at ABA-Approved Law Schools, 2007-2024 The number of J.D. degrees awarded from ABA-approved law schools increased by over 3,000 in 2024. At 38,834 degrees, this represents the greatest number awarded in nearly a decade.

50,000 44,004

43,588

44,546

44,258

46,761

46,345

43,812 39,958 38,834

37,172 34,965

34,462

34,232

35,723

34,401

35,728

35,417

Share of J.D.s Awarded to Students of Color

34%

22%

Note: “Students of color” includes students who identified as American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Black or African American, Hispanic/Latine, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, or Two or More Races.

Data Source: American Bar Association, 2024a and 2025. Data presentation, analysis, and commentary by AccessLex Institute. Retrieved on January 22, 2025.

–2

02

4

3 20

23

–2 22 20

21 –

20

02

22

02 1 –2 20 20

20

20 20

20 19 –

20 19 20 18 –

20 18 20 17 –

20 17 20 16 –

20 16 20 15 –

20 15 20 14 –

20 14 20 13 –

20 13 20 12 –

20 12

20 11 –

20 11

20 10 –

01 0 –2 09

20

08 20

20

07

–2

–2

00

00

8

9

0

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Affordability AccessLex.org 17

Average Full-Time Tuition and Fees (in 2024 Dollars) by School Type and Residency, 2016-2024 Although average law school tuition and fees have increased in nominal dollars since 2016, these costs have decreased or remained relatively unchanged when accounting for high inflation rates observed in recent years.

Private Tuition

Public Full-Time Resident

Public Full-Time Non-Resident

Adjusted 2024 Dollars

$60,000 $58,840

$57,860 Unadjusted Adjusted 2024 Dollars

$51,220 $44,913 $39,097

$30,000

$44,710

Unadjusted Adjusted 2024 Dollars

$33,930 $31,430

Unadjusted $25,899

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

Note: The following schools are excluded due to missing tuition data during the period shown: Creighton University, Florida State University, Inter American University of Puerto Rico, and Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School. Schools that closed or lost accreditation during the period shown are included in the annual averages for the years they were open and accredited.

Data Source: American Bar Association, 2024a. Data presentation, including conversion to real dollars, analysis, and commentary by AccessLex Institute. Retrieved on January 24, 2025.

2024

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Median Grant Amount Awarded to Full-Time Students, 2011-2023 The nominal median grant amount awarded to full-time students receiving aid has more than doubled since 2011, increasing steadily each year. Adjusting for inflation, however, the median grant award remained relatively unchanged from 2018 to 2021 and decreased slightly between 2021 and 2023.

$30,000

Adjusted 2024 Dollars

$25,600 $23,800

$21,300

$23,100 $20,797

$16,800 Unadjusted $15,000

$16,000

$12,000

$0

2011

2013

2015

2017

2019

Note: The median value displayed here is the median of all school level median grant amounts.

Data Source: American Bar Association, 2024a. Data presentation, including conversion to real dollars, analysis, and commentary by AccessLex Institute.

Retrieved on December 20, 2024.

2021

2023

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Share of Full-Time Students Receiving Institutional Grants, 2013-2023 The share of full-time students who received a grant of any amount increased from 60% in 2013 to 81% in 2023.

This increase is largely driven by a 17-percentage-point increase in the proportion of students who received a grant totaling at least half their tuition and fees over the same period. The proportion of students who received a grant totaling less than half their tuition, full tuition, or greater than full tuition has remained largely unchanged since 2013.

Less than half tuition

Any grant

Full tuition

At least half tuition

Greater than full tuition

81%

80%

75%

60%

40%

38%

39% 40%

33%

29% 16% 6%

3% 0%

5% 3%

1% 2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

Data Source: American Bar Association, 2024a. Data presentation, analysis, and commentary by AccessLex Institute. Retrieved on December 20, 2024.

2022

2023

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Average Financial Aid Packages by Race/Ethnicity, 2020 Black and Hispanic/Latine law students are awarded aid packages with higher proportions of loans and lower proportions of grants than their White and Asian peers. Although Black students receive higher average aid amounts than law students overall, 87% of the average financial aid package awarded to a typical Black law student comprises federal loans, compared to the overall average of 60%.

Federal Loans

Institutional Grants

Other Aid

$60,000

$0

All J.D. students

Asian

Black/African American

Hispanic/ Latine

Caucasian/ White

Note: Other racial/ethnic categories did not meet reporting standards. “Other Aid” refers to all aid types other than federal loans and institutional grants. This includes federal grants, institutional loans, state grants and loans, private grants and loans, work-study opportunities, assistantships, federal Veterans’ education benefits and Department of Defense military tuition grants, and Direct PLUS Loans.

Data Source: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, National Postsecondary Aid Study, NPSAS:20. Data presentation, analysis, and commentary

by AccessLex Institute. Retrieved September 6, 2024.

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Trends in Awarding and Eliminating Conditional Scholarships at ABA-Approved Law Schools, 2011-2023 From 2011 to 2023, the share of schools awarding conditional scholarships decreased from 61% to 32%, with nearly half of that change occurring between 2014 and 2015. In 2023, the proportion of all entering law students who received conditional scholarships also reached its lowest point since 2011, at 19%.

70%

61%

Share of Schools Awarding

35%

36% Share of Awards Eliminated

32% 29%

Share of First -Year Class Receiving

19%

23%

0%

2011-12

2012-13

2013-14

2014-15

2015-16

2016-17

2017-18

2018-19

2019-20

2020-21

Data Source: American Bar Association, 2024a. Data presentation, analysis, and commentary by AccessLex Institute. Retrieved on December 20, 2024.

2021-22

2022-23

2023-24

AccessLex.org 22

Percentage of Scholarships Awarded by ABA-Approved Law Schools by Race, 2023 Students of color receive a slightly higher percentage of scholarships covering less than half of the cost of law school tuition (yellow) compared to their percentage of the overall law school population (light blue). However, students of color also consistently receive a disproportionately lower percentage of full-tuition scholarships (dark blue). Overall, students of color receive 23% of full-tuition scholarships despite representing 32% of the law student population.

80%

% Awarded Full Tuition Scholarships

% Awarded Less Than Half Tuition Scholarships

% of All Law Students

0% Caucasian/ White

Hispanic/Latine

Black/African American

Asian

Two or more races

Non-U.S. Citizen

Remaining Groups

Note: “Students of color” includes students who identified as Asian, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latine, Two or More Races, or Remaining Groups. “Remaining Groups” includes students who identified as American Indian or Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander. Percentages do not sum to 100% because students whose race is unknown are omitted from figure.

Data Source: American Bar Association, 2024b. Data presentation, analysis, and commentary by AccessLex Institute. Retrieved on June 14, 2024.

AccessLex.org 23

Percentage of Law Students Who Still Owe on Undergraduate Loans, 2019-2020 Nearly half of enrolled law school students are carrying undergraduate debt. Of those who still owe balances on their undergraduate loans, the average amount of debt owed is more than $28,000.

Percentage of law students who still owe on undergraduate loans

Percentage of law students who do not owe on undergraduate loans

46%

Average Borrower Owes: $28,347

54%

Note: Data presented reflects only U.S. citizens and permanent residents. International students are excluded from analysis due to differences in financial eligibility.

Data Source: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, 2019-20 National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS:20). Data presentation, analysis, and commentary by AccessLex Institute. Retrieved on February 27, 2024.

AccessLex.org 24

Percentage of Law Students Who Worked While Enrolled, by Year and Institution Type, 2004-2020 More than half of enrolled law students reported earnings from off-campus employment at both public and private nonprofit schools.

Public

Private nonprofit

All Institution Types

100%

55%

0%

55%

2004

58%

56%

55%

55%

56%

2008

55%

59%

57%

59%

2012

57%

58%

2016

Data Source: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, National Postsecondary Student Aid Study, NPSAS:04, NPSAS:08, NPSAS:12, NPSAS:16, and NPSAS:20. Data presentation, analysis, and commentary provided by AccessLex Institute. Retrieved on August 22, 2023.

60%

58%

2020

AccessLex.org 25

Percentage of Law Graduates Who Borrowed for Graduate Education, by Year and Institution Type, 2004-2020 A majority of law graduates use loans to fund their graduate education, and the overall proportion who borrowed increased by five percentage points between 2016 and 2020.

Public

Private nonprofit

All Institution Types

100% 92% 88%

87%

76% 71%

83%

89%

95%

91%

89%

88%

66%

71%

71%

83%

0% 2004

2008

2012

2016

Data Source: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, National Postsecondary Student Aid Study, NPSAS:04, NPSAS:08, NPSAS:12, NPSAS:16, and NPSAS:20. Data presentation, analysis, and commentary provided by AccessLex Institute. Retrieved on August 6, 2023.

2020

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Percentage of Graduate or Professional Program Students Who Borrowed While Enrolled by Program Type, 2020 A higher percentage of law students used loans to finance their legal education compared to students in other graduate and professional education programs. Fifty-nine percent of all 2020 graduate or professional program students borrowed to pay for their education, a markedly lower proportion than the 76% of law students who borrowed.

100%

80% 76%

76%

76%

60%

59% 55%

Overall: 59% 48%

0%

Other Medicine

Medicine (M.D.) or Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.)

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

Law (LL.B. or J.D.)

Other Master's

Master of Public Master of Business Administration or Adminstration Policy (M.B.A.)

Ph.D. and Other Doctoral

Note: “Other Master’s” includes any master’s credential other than an M.B.A. or an M.P.P./M.P.A. “Ph.D. and Other Doctoral” includes all nonmedical doctorates other than a Doctor of Education. “Other Medicine” includes medical doctoral degrees other than an M.D. or a D.O., in disciplines like dentistry (D.D.S.), pharmacy (Pharm.D.), and veterinary medicine (D.V.M.).

Data Source: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, National Postsecondary Aid Study, NPSAS:20. Data presentation, analysis, and commentary

by AccessLex Institute. Retrieved on January 28, 2025.

AccessLex.org 27

Cumulative Amount Borrowed (in 2025 Dollars) Among Law Students Who Borrowed While Enrolled, by Year and Institution Type, 2004-2020 Although the percentage of law graduates who borrowed increased between 2016 and 2020, the average cumulative amount of graduate debt among those who borrowed decreased by more than $6,000.

Public

Private nonprofit

All Institution types

$200,000

$189,900

$185,400 $171,900 $164,200 $140,000 $120,400

$134,900

$141,000

$156,600 $120,400

$118,000

$80,400

$150,400

$83,700

NA

$0 2004

2008

2012

2016

Note: Minimum reporting standards were not met for law school graduates who attended public institutions in 2016. Data presented reflects only U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Foreign/international students are excluded from analysis due to differences in financial aid eligibility.

Data Source: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, National Postsecondary Student Aid Study, NPSAS:04, NPSAS:08, NPSAS:12, NPSAS:16, and NPSAS:20. Data presentation, analysis, and commentary by AccessLex Institute. Retrieved on August 11, 2025.

2020

AccessLex.org 28

Average Amounts Borrowed by 2020 Graduates by Program Type and Overall (in 2025 Dollars) Among Those Who Borrowed On average, 2020 law graduates borrowed more for their graduate education than all other graduate and professional degree recipients who borrowed, except those in medicine and other health professions.

For Undergraduate

For Graduate

For Graduate and Undergraduate

$300,000 $268,700 $250,500 $232,300 $219,300

$165,200 $150,400

$77,100

$75,900 $60,100

$33,500

$107,400

$102,900

$96,900 $87,500

$35,100

$85,800 $85,100

$89,000

$59,900 $34,900

$23,100

$26,300

$33,600

$32,900

$33,700

$30,900

NA

$0 Overall

Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.)

Other Master's

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

Ph.D. and Other Master of Public Doctoral Admin or Policy

Law (LL.B. or J.D.)

Medicine (M.D.) Other Medicine or Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.)

Note: Cumulative amount borrowed for graduate education is unavailable for Master of Public Administration or Policy degree recipients in 2020. Data presented reflects only U.S. citizens and permanent residents. International students are excluded from analysis due to differences in financial eligibility. “Other Master’s” includes any master’s credential other than an M.B.A. or an M.P.P./M.P.A. “Ph.D. and Other Doctoral” includes all nonmedical doctorates other than a Doctor of Education. “Other Medicine” includes medical doctoral degrees other than an M.D. or a D.O., in disciplines like dentistry (D.D.S.), pharmacy (Pharm.D.), and veterinary medicine (D.V.M.).

Data Source: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, National Postsecondary Student Aid Study, NPSAS:04, NPSAS:08, NPSAS:12, NPSAS:16, and NPSAS:20. Data presentation, analysis, and commentary

by AccessLex Institute. Retrieved on August 11, 2025.

AccessLex.org 29

Value AccessLex.org 30

Occupations Requiring a Graduate or Professional Degree with Largest Projected Increase in Employment, 2023-2033 The latest occupational outlook from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects lawyer positions will have the fourth largest increase in openings among positions requiring a graduate or professional degree.

Nurse practitioners

135,500

Mental health counselors

84,500

Health specialties teachers

53,300

Lawyers

44,200

Physician assistants

43,700

Data Source: U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Projections, 2025. Data presentation, analysis, and commentary by AccessLex Institute. Retrieved on January 13, 2025.

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Percentage of ABA-Approved Law School Graduates Passing the Bar by Attempt and Administration, 2014-2024 Bar passage rates increased from 2023 to 2024 for all takers except July repeat examinees. The pass rate uptick for July first-time takers follows a prior-year increase, while the uptick for February first-time and repeat takers follows a prior-year pass rate decline.

July First-Time: +3 percentage points from 2023

February First-Time: +3 percentage points from 2023

February Repeat: +3 percentage points from 2023

July Repeat: -3 percentage points from 2023

100%

July First-Time, 82% 79%

78%

74%

63%

February First-Time, 61%

41%

February Repeat, 37%

50%

30%

28%

July Repeat, 30%

0% 2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

Note: 2020 bar passage rates include data from states which adopted the use of diploma privilege in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Those graduating with diploma privilege are counted as successfully passing the bar exam.

Data Source: National Conference of Bar Examiners, 2015-2025. Data presentation, analysis, and commentary by AccessLex Institute. Retrieved on March 28, 2025.

2023

2024

AccessLex.org 32

First-Time Bar Passage Rates for Graduates of ABA-Approved Law Schools by State, 2024 In 2024, 80% of all first-time exam takers from ABA-approved law schools passed the bar. However, bar passage rates vary among jurisdictions, ranging from 52% to 86%.

74% ME

68%

80% or more

AK

63% VT 86% NY

72% MI

MT

61% WY

77%

74% OR

69% ND

81%

83% WA

ID

86%

78% CA

70% NV

MN

SD

84% NE

CO

73% AZ

85% IA

77% 86%

UT

81% WI

85%

81%

75% HI

76% 80% MS

73% LA

70% – 74% 69% or less

72% NJ

73% DE

70% MD 85% DC

76% VA

79%

78% TN

AR

KS

OK

TX

79% KY

83% MO

80% 81%

IL

75% – 79%

67% RI

72% CT

80% PA

OH

76% WV

79%

80%

NM

81%

78% IN

84% MA

76% NH

NC

75%

81% AL

SC

80% GA

52% 72%

PR

FL

Note: Bar passage is shown by the state of bar administration, not the location of the exam taker’s law school.

Data Source: National Conference of Bar Examiners, 2025. Data presentation, analysis, and commentary by AccessLex Institute. Retrieved on March 28, 2025.

AccessLex.org 33

Change in First-Time Bar Passage Rates for Graduates of ABA-Approved Law Schools, by Exam Jurisdiction, 2023-2024 Between 2023 and 2024, a majority of states reported increases in first-time bar passage rates among graduates of ABA-approved law schools. Of the 37 jurisdictions where pass rates increased, 11 reported increases greater than five percentage points. +2%

-1% AK

ME

-5% +3% NY

+10% MI

MT

-18% WY

+6%

+1%

ID

OR

+2% ND

-4%

0%

WA

-4%

+6% CA +1% NV

MN

+15% NE

AZ

-1% NM

MS

OK

+6% HI

TX

+2% LA

+6 to +15

+6%

+1 to +5

NJ

PA

+4% DE

No change -5 to -1

+2%

0%

KY

-1% AR

+7%

+10% +2%

+3%

-1% MO

CT

MD

WV

Percentage-Point Change

-9% RI

+5%

+1%

+3%

MA

NH

+5%

OH

IN

IL

+3% KS

+4%

+4% +1%

IA

SD

CO

-1%

-1%

-1%

+8%

UT

+6% WI

+3%

+3%

+12%

VT

DC

VA

-18 to -6

+5%

+4%

NC

TN

-3%

+1%

SC

AL

+2% GA

+4% +4%

PR

FL

Note: Bar passage is shown by the state of bar administration, not the location of the exam taker’s law school.

Data Source: National Conference of Bar Examiners, 2025. Data presentation, analysis, and commentary by AccessLex Institute. Retrieved on March 28, 2025.

AccessLex.org 34

First-Time Bar Passage by Race and Ethnicity, 2024 Bar exam outcomes for first-time takers vary across racial/ethnic groups. Of the seven groups reported, three have bar passage rates that fall below 75%.

100%

87% 81%

81% 75% 68%

65%

64%

0% Caucasian/ White

Asian

Two or More Races

Hispanic/ Latine

Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander

Black/ African American

Data Source: American Bar Association, 2025. Data presentation, analysis, and commentary by AccessLex Institute. Retrieved on March 24, 2025.

American Indian/ Alaska Native

AccessLex.org 35

First-Time and Ultimate Bar Passage by Race and Ethnicity, 2022 Disparities in ultimate bar passage rates by race/ethnicity are less pronounced than first-time bar passage among 2022 law graduates, and the ultimate pass rate for all groups is above 75%.

Ultimate

100%

93%

90%

87%

First-Time

87%

83%

86% 81%

75%

79%

74% 69%

69% 60%

57%

0% Caucasian/White

Asian

Two or More Races

Hispanic/Latine

Native Hawaiian/Other American Indian/Alaska Black/African American Pacific Islander Native

Data Source: American Bar Association, 2025. Data presentation, analysis, and commentary by AccessLex Institute. Retrieved on March 24, 2025.

AccessLex.org 36

Recent J.D. Graduates by Employment Status, 2013-2024 Employment outcomes for the class of 2024 were strong, despite the larger 2024 graduating class. Between 2023 and 2024, the proportion of J.D. graduates obtaining bar-passage required employment increased by two percentage points, while the percentage of unemployed recent graduates decreased by one percentage point.

Bar Passage Required: +2 percentage points from 2023

J.D. Advantage: -1 percentage point from 2023

Unemployed and Seeking: -1 percentage point from 2023

All Others: -1 percentage point from 2023

50,000 44,637 11% 11% 14%

42,139 9% 10% 15%

38,627 9% 10%

66%

9%

33,966

33,510

33,007

33,235

9%

8% 8%

8% 7%

7% 6%

7% 8%

15%

12%

12%

11%

10%

67%

68%

72%

73%

76%

75%

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

14%

64%

35,815

34,562 6% 5% 11%

78%

35,601

35,215

6% 5% 9%

5% 5% 8%

79%

80%

38,937 4% 4% 7%

82%

0 2013

2014

Bar Passage Required

J.D. Advantage

Unemployed-Seeking

2021

2022

2023

2024

All Others

Note: “All Others” includes the following employment categories: Other Professional, Other Positions, Employed - Job Type Unknown, Pursuing Degree Full-Time, Start Date After March 17, 2025, and Unemployed - Not Seeking. These data are based on law school graduates whose employment status was reported to NALP and may not be fully representative of the total law school graduating class indicated. In 2014, NALP changed the timing of the survey administration from nine months post-graduation to 10 months post-graduation. Use caution when interpreting data and comparing from year to year.

Data Source: National Association for Law Placement, 2025. Data presentation, analysis, and commentary by AccessLex Institute. Retrieved on August 11, 2025.

AccessLex.org 37

Median Salary (in 2025 Dollars) of Recent J.D. Graduates by Employment Type, 2013-2024 Adjusting for inflation, the median salaries for overall, bar-passage required, and other professional employment modestly increased among new graduates in 2024. The median salary for other (non-professional) positions also increased by $16,500 (32%).

$120,000 Other Professional, $100,400 Bar Passage Required, $97,900 Median, $97,900 J.D. Advantage, $84,500 Other Positions, $69,000

$0 2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

Note: These data are based on law school graduates whose employment status was reported to NALP and may not be fully representative of the total law school graduating class indicated. In 2014, NALP changed the timing of the survey administration from nine months post-graduation to 10 months post-graduation. Use caution when interpreting data and comparing from year to year.

Data Source: National Association for Law Placement, 2025. Data presentation, analysis, and commentary by AccessLex Institute. Retrieved on August 11, 2025.

AccessLex.org 38

Median Salary of Recent J.D. Graduates by Region, 2024 Median salaries for recent graduates were highest in the Mid-Atlantic (NJ, NY, and PA) and Pacific (AK, CA, HI, OR, and WA) regions in 2024. The only median salary to fall below $80,000 belonged to the East South Central region (AL, KY, MS, and TN).

Median Salary

ME

AK VT

MI

WY

ID

OR

ND

MT

WA

UT

CA

NV

IA

SD NE

CO

AZ

WI

MN

NM

TX

KY

AR

MS

OK

LA

WV

IL

KS

OH

IN

MO

NY

MD

Pacific $115,000

RI

CT PA

Mid-Atlantic $118,500

MA

NH

W. South Central $95,000

NJ

New England $90,000

DE

E. North Central $88,000

VA

DC

South Atlantic $88,000

NC

TN

Mountain $84,404

SC

AL

W. North Central $80,000

GA PR

HI

E. South Central $75,000

FL

Note: Regions are defined by NALP. These data are based on law school graduates whose employment status was reported to NALP and may not be fully representative of the total law school graduating class indicated. Earnings are reported 10 months post-graduation. Use caution when interpreting data and comparing from year to year Data Source: National Association for Law Placement, 2025. Data presentation, analysis, and commentary by AccessLex Institute. Retrieved on August 11, 2025.

AccessLex.org 39

Full-Time and Part-Time Status of Employed Recent J.D. Graduates, 2013-2024 The percentage of employed recent J.D. graduates who had a full-time job has remained relatively unchanged since 2021, hovering from 97% to 98%.

Full-Time 40,000

37,693

Part-Time

36,519

35,332 33,449

92%

31,336

93% 93%

94%

30,092

31,756 29,947

29,802

95%

96%

2017

2018

2019

31,851

29,364 97%

95%

32,695 98%

98%

97%

95%

0 2013

2014

2015

2016

2020

2021

2022

2023

Note: These data are based on law school graduates whose employment status was reported to NALP and may not be fully representative of the total law school graduating class indicated. In 2014, NALP changed the timing of the survey administration from nine months post-graduation to 10 months post-graduation. Use caution when interpreting data and comparing from year to year. Total counts of employed graduates may differ from slide to slide, due to variations in respondent count between NALP survey components.

Data Source: National Association for Law Placement, 2025. Data presentation, analysis, and commentary by AccessLex Institute. Retrieved on August 11, 2025.

2024

AccessLex.org 40

Recent J.D. Graduate Employment by Sector, 2013-2024 The distribution of employment across sectors remained relatively unchanged between 2023 and 2024, with single percentage-point increases in the share of graduates entering government and private practice employment, and a one-percentage-point decrease in the share of graduates entering the business sector.

Private Practice

40,000

37,730 7% 9% 12%

Business

Public Interest

Academic

Unknown

7% 9% 12%

35,335 33,469 7% 10%

18%

51%

31,354 7% 11%

17%

51%

Judicial Clerk

36,530

12% 18%

Government

12% 16%

30,104

29,953

29,804

29,382

7%

7%

8%

9%

11%

11%

12%

11%

12% 14%

12% 13%

13%

12%

11%

11%

51%

53%

54%

55%

55%

57%

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

31,763

32,318

9%

9%

10%

11%

10%

10%

11%

11%

12%

11%

10%

8%

57%

58%

58%

31,859

10% 10% 13% 7%

59%

0 2013

2014

2021

2022

2023

Note: These data are based on law school graduates whose employment status was reported to NALP and may not be fully representative of the total law school graduating class indicated. In 2014, NALP changed the timing of the survey administration from nine months post-graduation to 10 months post-graduation. Use caution when interpreting data and comparing from year to year. Total counts of employed graduates may differ from slide to slide, due to variations in respondent count between NALP survey components.

Data Source: National Association for Law Placement, 2025. Data presentation, analysis, and commentary by AccessLex Institute. Retrieved on August 11, 2025.

2024

AccessLex.org 41

Median Salary (in 2025 Dollars) of Recent J.D. Graduates by Sector, 2013-2024 Adjusting for inflation, the median salary among new graduates entering private practice decreased by over $10,000 from 2023 to 2024. The median salaries increased modestly in other sectors, with increases of around $4,000 in government and public interest, and increases exceeding $1,000 in business, academia, and judicial clerkships.

$200,000 Private Practice, $164,800

Business, $103,000 Median, $97,900 Government, $82,300 Public Interes, $74,200 Judicial Clerk, $72,100 Academic, $65,900

$0 2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

Note: These data are based on law school graduates whose employment status was reported to NALP and may not be fully representative of the total law school graduating class indicated. In 2014, NALP changed the timing of the survey administration from nine months post-graduation to 10 months post-graduation. Use caution when interpreting data and comparing from year to year.

Data Source: National Association for Law Placement, 2025. Data presentation, analysis, and commentary by AccessLex Institute. Retrieved on August 11, 2025.

AccessLex.org 42

Median Amount Borrowed for Graduate Education and Median Earnings of Recent Graduates by Program Type, 2019 and 2020 Students who completed law school in 2019 or 2020 accumulated a median of $118,500 in debt towards their legal education. Recent J.D. graduates in the same cohort entering private practice earned a median salary of $130,000, while J.D. graduates entering any other employment sector earned a median salary of $62,400.

Graduate Debt

Earnings: Median

Earnings: J.D. Graduates in Private Practice

Earnings: Other J.D. Graduates

$220,000 $190,600 $177,600

$130,000 $118,500 $98,400 $80,300

$74,500 $61,500

$58,400 $39,000

$39,400

$67,400

$86,600 $73,700

$66,200

$62,400

$61,400

$41,000

$0 Other Master's

Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.)

Master of Public Admin or Policy

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

Ph.D. and Other Doctoral

Law (J.D.)

Other Medicine

Medicine (M.D.) or Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.)

Note: College Scorecard reports data in pooled cohorts of two graduation years. The data in the “J.D. Graduates in Private Practice” and “Other J.D. Graduates” columns were retrieved from the National Association for Law Placement and represent earnings outcomes 10 months after graduation, while College Scorecard earnings values in the light blue columns represent earnings one year after graduation. College Scorecard values are based on institutions who reported median debt and earnings values to College Scorecard. NALP values are based on law school graduates whose employment status was reported to NALP. The resulting medians may not be fully representative of the total graduating class indicated. “Other Master’s” includes any master’s credential other than an M.B.A. or an M.P.P./M.P.A. “Ph.D. and Other Doctoral” includes all nonmedical doctorates other than a Doctor of Education. “Other Medicine” includes medical doctoral degrees other than an M.D. or a D.O., in disciplines like dentistry (D.D.S.), pharmacy (Pharm.D.), and veterinary medicine (D.V.M.).

Data Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard Field of Study Data, 2024 (2019-2020 Cohort). National Association for Law Placement, 2020:2021 (Classes of 2019 and 2020). Data presentation, analysis, and commentary by AccessLex Institute. Retrieved on August 13, 2025.

AccessLex.org 43

Percentage of Advanced Degree Recipients Who Believe Their Graduate Degree Was Worth the Cost A longitudinal study of class of 2008 college graduates found that, among those who earned an advanced degree, a majority agreed their graduate education was worth the cost. However, those who earned an advanced degree in legal professions and studies (including J.D. recipients) were the exception — just under half (48%) agreed their graduate education was worth the cost.

Yes

No

Business, management, and marketing

75%

25%

Health professions and related sciences

74%

26%

Education

68%

32%

Theology and religious vocations

68%

32%

Psychology

65%

35%

Architecture, planning, and related services

60%

40%

Mathematics and statistics

60%

40%

Public administration/ social services

57%

43%

Legal professions and studies

48%

52%

Data Source: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Baccalaureate and Beyond (B&B:08/18): First Look at the 2018 Employment and Educational Experiences of 2007–08 College Graduates. Data presentation, analysis, and commentary by AccessLex Institute.

AccessLex.org 44

Detailed Data Sources American Bar Association (2024). Profile of the Legal Profession 2024.

Retrieved from https://www.abalegalprofile.com/demographics.html#bystate

National Conference of Bar Examiners. 2015-2025 Statistics.

The Bar Examiner.

Retrieved from https://thebarexaminer.org/statistics

American Bar Association (2024a). Compilation – All Schools Data.

Section of Legal Education – ABA Required Disclosures Retrieved from http://www.abarequireddisclosures.org

U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics, Digest of Education Statistics 2024, Table 322.20.

Retrieved from https://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d22/tables/dt22_322.20.asp?current=yes

American Bar Association (2024b). Memorandum.

Retrieved from https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/administrative/legal_education_and_ admissions_to_the_bar/council_reports_and_resolutions/may24/24-may-dpc-memo-to-council.pdf

U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025).

Occupational Employment Projections Data.

Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/emp/data/occupational-data.htm

American Bar Association (2025). Statistics. Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar. Retrieved from https://www.americanbar.org/groups/legal_education/resources/statistics.html

U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. 2019:2020 Field of Study Data.

Retrieved from https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/data

Law School Admission Council. (2024). Data Library.

Retrieved from https://www.lsac.org/data-research/data

U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics, 2004:2020 National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS).

Retrieved from https://nces.ed.gov/datalab

National Association for Law Placement. (2020:2021, 2025). Recent Graduates.

Retrieved from https://www.nalp.org/classof2023

AccessLex.org 45

AccessLex.org

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