Is Harvard Law School worth the debt?
Asked by: Dr. Esta Shanahan PhD | Last update: December 1, 2025Score: 4.7/5 (53 votes)
Harvard Law School has the lowest debt-to-earnings ratio of all U.S. law schools, according to a new study by The HEA Group and Student Defense. Four years after graduation, Harvard Law graduates had a median annual salary of $233,589 and a median debt of $93,235, for a debt-to-income ratio of 39.9%.
Is the debt worth going to law school?
It depends on what type of law you want to go into. Something like patent law is very lucrative and the debt is worth it. Something like civil rights law or public defending and you'll make as much or less than a teacher.
How do people afford Harvard Law School?
For costs not covered by an HLS Grant, students may consider avenues including education loans, external scholarships, student savings from summer employment or personal assets, student earnings from term-time employment, and family assistance.
Is it worth applying to Harvard law?
Harvard Law School affords you access to the unparalleled resources of Harvard University, a global alumni network, an incomparable course catalog and library collection, and a renowned faculty engaged in teaching and research in dozens of disciplines.
Is Yale or Harvard Law better?
Yale has consistently ranked as the top law school since the list debuted, while Harvard has been in the top five. Law schools submit data to US News & World Report for its rankings.
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What is the hardest law school in the USA?
1. Yale University. With an acceptance rate of just 6.9%, it's no wonder that Yale is the hardest law school to get into. Only around 1 in 15 of their highly qualified applicants makes it through.
Can I get a 100% scholarship in Harvard Law School?
HLS does not award “merit” or “full-ride” scholarships (which typically are not need-based) because doing so would decrease the resources available for need-based aid, and significantly increase the debt burden of every financially needy student.
How to pay for law school if you're poor?
Financial aid is available. 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.
Is Harvard Law a big deal?
Harvard Law School's large class size has enabled it to graduate a large number of distinguished alumni. Rutherford B. Hayes, the 19th president of the United States, graduated from HLS. Additionally, Barack Obama, the 44th president of the United States, graduated from HLS and was president of the Harvard Law Review.
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.
Is being a lawyer worth it financially?
Lawyers have the opportunity to earn a lucrative income. The average annual income for an attorney in the United States is $127,990 per year as of 2021 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor.
What is the dropout rate for law school?
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.
How much do Harvard Law graduates make after 10 years?
At mid-career, Harvard law graduates earn $234,000, on average. Stanford and University of Virginia follow closely, with recent grads earning $133,000 and $130,000, respectively. About 10 years into their careers, those grads earn upwards of $220,000.
Is Yale Law worth the debt?
Long-Term Financial Success
Yale law graduates go on to earn much more than those who didn't go to university. In fact, the average salary of former Yale students is $118,400. That's 245% higher than the national average. You can't argue with the stats.
How much does it cost to go to Harvard Law School for 4 years?
Tuition for the 2024-2025 academic year is $77,100; in addition, health insurance and health services fees, the LL. M. activities fee, dental insurance, the costs of housing, food, books and supplies, and personal and travel expenses for a single student come to at least $39,400, for a total of at least $116,500.
What is the most affordable law school?
- University of the District of Columbia - $12,838 (tuition)
- University of North Dakota - $13,023 (tuition)/$8,974 (living expenses)
- Brigham Young University - $13,060 (tuition)/$12,720 (living expenses)
- University of Montana - $13,177 (tuition)/$12,480 (living expenses)
What LSAT score do I need to get a full ride scholarship?
What LSAT Score Do I Need for a Full Scholarship? It depends on what type of scholarship you're hoping to be granted. Needs-based scholarships don't require a high LSAT score. However, to be considered for a merit-based scholarship, it's wise to have a score close to 170.
Do law firms care where you went to law school?
Your Previous (On-the-Job) Training
Certain firms have the reputation for training people very well—and everyone knows that they have high expectations for the people there. If you get a good job right out of school or thereafter (with a major law firm), firms no longer really care about where you went to law school.
What happens if you can't afford Harvard?
Overview. Concerned about the cost of college? Let's cut to the chase: you can afford Harvard. Our application process is entirely need-blind, which means that applying for financial aid will have no impact on your admissions decision.
How much do Harvard lawyers make?
How much does a Lawyer make at Harvard University in New York? The estimated average pay for Lawyer at this company in New York is $84,581 per year, which is 17% above the national average.
What GPA does Harvard Law require?
As you can see from these numbers, an LSAT score of 170 or higher and a GPA above 3.75 will give you a chance of gaining admission to Harvard Law School. If you have a GPA of 3.94 or higher and above a 175, you are pretty much a lock for admission, particularly given the class size of ~560.
Is it harder to get into Yale law or Harvard law?
What Is the Hardest Law School to Get Into? The hardest law school to get into is Yale Law School, with an acceptance rate of 5.5%.
Which law school is most prestigious?
Yale Law School is widely regarded as the most prestigious law school in the U.S. thanks to its strong reputation, rich history, distinguished faculty, and influential alumni, even though it's currently the second-ranked law school.
What is the hardest state to become a lawyer?
California is widely considered to have the hardest bar exam, due to its low pass rate and the difficulty of the content and constraints of the exam.