Are fewer people going to law school?

Asked by: Merl Adams  |  Last update: December 29, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (11 votes)

Today, overall JD enrollment has roughly stabilized at a level not seen in over 40 years. Compared to the peak in JD enrollment in 2010 (147,525 students), overall JD enrollment was down 20.8% in 2023.

Are law school admissions declining?

25% Through The Fall 2024 Law School Admissions Season: Applicants Are Down -3.3%, With Biggest Decline (-10.2%) In The 170-180 LSAT Band (Nov. 13, 2023)

Is law school getting less competitive?

As of the time I'm writing this, applicants to law school in the current admissions cycle are up almost 25%. And applications are up about a whopping 35%.

Are more people applying to law school in 2024?

Law School Applicant Volume Data

As of October 14, 2024, applicants are up 25.8% relative to this same time last year, and applications are up 37.8% (but remember, the latter number is far less important when thinking about overall cycle competitiveness).

Is law school mentally draining?

Specifically, 96% of law students suffer from significant stress, compared to only 70% of medical students and 43% of graduate students in all fields.

yes, where you go to law school matters.

15 related questions found

Which law school are students happiest at?

Here are the schools with the best quality of life, per Princeton Review:
  • Samford University Cumberland School of Law (no change)
  • Duke University School of Law (no change)
  • Stanford University School of Law (no change)
  • Boston College Law School (no change)
  • Vanderbilt University Law School (ranked #3 last year)

How bad is law school debt?

Of lawyers surveyed by the American Bar Association (ABA), 85 percent borrowed money to cover their studies, with the average law school debt exceeding $100,000. Luckily, there are a few alternatives law school grads can explore to reduce their debt burden and make payments more manageable.

What's the hardest year of law school?

Law school is an academic challenge; most students agree the first year (“1L” year) is the most difficult. In part, this is because law school is taught using methods entirely different than the lecture method used in most college classrooms.

Is the LSAT going away in 2025?

The ABA's House of Delegates will vote on the Council's proposed change in February 2023. If the House votes to nix Standard 503, the standardized-test requirement won't go away until 2025. So, the LSAT isn't definitely going away, and it's definitely not going away until 2025.

How smart do you have to be to go to law school?

According to the Law School Admission Council (LSAC), students need a GPA of at least 3.59 and an LSAT of 162 or more to get into any top 10 law schools. However, that is the bare minimum, and you should aim higher if you want to increase your chances of getting into the top 3.

Is law school even worth it anymore?

The Bottom Line. Becoming a successful lawyer is one of the most lucrative career paths, if you graduate from a top-tier university. However, it's not a cheap path, and Ivy League law grads often graduate with six digits of loans.

What is the dropout rate for law school?

How race and ethnicity play a role in law school attrition. The 2023 law school attrition rate was 3.8 percent, varying across demographics and institutions. This article delves into the types of attrition, the schools with the highest rates, and the impact of these rates on student choices and institutional policies.

Is law school harder than med school?

Each path demands extensive education and a commitment to rigorous training before becoming a qualified professional. Although both law and medical schools present their unique challenges, it's generally accepted that medical school demands a higher level of intense coursework and thorough training.

Why are less people going to law school?

As law schools were pressured to become more transparent about job outcomes beginning in 2010, the media and prospective law students took notice of inflated enrollment, inadequate job prospects, and high prices—and enrollment dropped.

Why are law schools getting rid of LSAT?

A Wall Street Journal article about the ABA move quoted Leo Martinez, an ABA council member and dean emeritus at University of California, Hastings College of the Law, who said, “In the grand scheme of things, folks of color perform less well on the LSAT than not, and for that reason, I think we are headed in the right ...

Has anyone gotten into law school with a low LSAT?

You can get into law school with a low LSAT score if it is above 144-145. Scores in this range will get you into some lower-ranking schools, although the majority of law schools prefer scores above 150. For expert prep on increasing your score and chances of accetpance, speak with a counselor at Juris Education.

Did Harvard get rid of LSAT?

Harvard Law School accepts either the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). We do not have a preference for either exam. Similarly, a candidate is not considered more committed by taking both exams or disadvantaged by taking the same exam multiple times.

Is a 170 LSAT attainable?

170 score: Scoring a 170 on the LSAT is almost always considered a good score — that means you are in the 2-3% of test-takers. Still, it won't guarantee you admission at a top law school. Other parts of your application are still a factor.

Can I get into law school without LSAT?

While many law schools still require potential students to take the LSAT and submit their scores, there is a growing trend away from this requirement. Today there are several highly respected law schools that no longer require this specific type of test, and more schools are following suit each year.

How hard is law school realistically?

Law school is very hard—harder than college or university. This is due to a heavy course load, a high-stress environment, and difficult course material. But completing law school is not impossible; over 40,000 law students make it to graduation each year.

What type of lawyer makes the most money?

Patent Attorney Salary

Patent attorneys are the highest-paid type of lawyers, with an average salary of $185,351, ranging from $119,88 to $285,530. Various factors contribute to a patent attorney's average salary, including experience, firm, location, and subject matter expertise.

Which state has the hardest law exam?

Is The California Bar Exam Hard? Yes, the California bar exam is widely considered to be the most difficult of all state bar exams in the US. The California bar exam has a pass rate of 34%.

How many people regret going to law school?

Law School Regret by the Numbers

Only 35 percent said law school prepared them well for practicing. Only 20 percent strongly agreed that their law school was worth the cost. Thirty-eight percent said they were struggling financially; 30 percent said they were "suffering"

How long to pay off 200k law school debt?

How long does it take to pay off $200,000 in loans? If you choose the standard 10-year repayment plan, you'll pay off your loans in a decade. Longer plans, like those with 15- or 20-year terms, reduce monthly payments but significantly increase the total interest you'll pay over time.

How do most people pay for law school?

The primary funding options are Scholarships and grants—the “free” money this is either funded by your law school or funded by private organizations, civic groups, etc.; Loans which can be federal loans or private/alternative/institutional loans.