Is it worth going to an average law school?

Asked by: Dr. Virgie Reynolds  |  Last update: October 27, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (41 votes)

While law school is undoubtedly expensive, the good news is that lawyers have a high earning potential – and that might make law school worth it. The average salary for a lawyer in 2023, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, was over $160,000.

Is the cost of law school worth it?

Taking on such debt might be a smart investment if a law degree provided reasonable assurance of a high-paying job. Ideally, recent graduates should earn yearly salaries equal to or greater than their total student debt.

Is it worth going to a lower tier law school?

Yes it can definitely be worth it, especially if you get a full or substantial scholarship. But if you have lofty goals (eg, big law, federal clerkship, academia, prestigious public interest, and politics), then you might want to target higher ranked schools.

Can an average student go to law school?

Law school is a highly competitive environment for most people, and students are constantly vying for grades and job opportunities. Grade curving, which is a common practice by law school professors, often means that only the best students succeed in law schools.

Is going to law school worth the debt?

Not for most people. If you are a privileged person with connections and are able to find a high paying job out of law school, perhaps the debt will be worth it eventually. But most people who go to law schools that charge that much either go on scholarships or have parents who pay their tuition.

Is Law School Worth It?

39 related questions found

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 failure rate for law school?

The 2023 law school attrition rate was 3.8 percent, varying across demographics and institutions.

What is 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.

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.

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.

Does it really matter what law school you go to?

Earning a law degree from any reputable program is an impressive achievement. Read the bios for any major law firm and you will see many successful lawyers who attended low-ranked schools. That said, the job market is easier for graduates of top-ranked law schools.

What GPA is too low for law school?

What Is the Lowest GPA For Law School? Since the majority of law schools require a GPA of 3.0 or higher, anything below a 3.0 is considered very low. Some of the absolute lowest GPA requirements for schools are 2.80.

Which law school class is the hardest?

Some of the hardest classes in law school, according to current and former students, are:
  • Constitutional Law.
  • Civil Procedure.
  • Contracts.
  • Federal Courts.
  • Federal Income Tax.
  • Administrative Law.
  • Partnership Tax.

What salary makes law school worth it?

Starting Salaries for Law School Graduates

Among the 130 ranked law schools that reported the median private sector salary for their 2022 classes, the overall median was $89,250 and the range was $52,000 to $215,000. Nine schools reported salaries above $202,000.

Is law worth it in 2024?

Ultimately it boils down to what you want to do and why. Law is extremely worth it for some people for a range of reasons. Other times it isn't worth it at all. If you just want a quick paycheck and aren't actively interested in law specifically then do some research and decide if nursing or something else is better.

What school do most lawyers go to?

15 top law schools
  1. Yale University. ...
  2. Stanford University. ...
  3. Harvard University. ...
  4. Columbia University. ...
  5. University of Chicago. ...
  6. New York University. ...
  7. University of Pennsylvania. ...
  8. University of Virginia.

Is it hard to get hired after law school?

Many law students and graduated law students struggle to find a job after law school. It is no secret that the legal job market is at an all-time low. Law students and new lawyers compete for the few jobs that have openings.

Where is it hardest to become a lawyer?

1. California

Law students across the US may be familiar with the famed “impossible” California bar exam. But why is the California bar exam so hard? For starters, the cut score (the score needed to pass the test) of the California bar is 1390 out of 2000, which is 40 points above the national average.

How old are most law students?

What Is The Average Age Of Law Students? The average age of law students is 25 or younger. Only 20% of law students are 30 or older. While only a small percentage of law students are above the age of 40, there have been several successful older graduates.

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.

What is the most difficult law exam?

8 Toughest Law Entrance Exams
  • 8 Toughest Law Entrance Exams. ...
  • LSAT (Law School Admission Test) - United States. ...
  • AILET (All India Law Entrance Test) - India. ...
  • CLAT (Common Law Admission Test) - India. ...
  • LNAT (Law National Aptitude Test) - United Kingdom. ...
  • LSAT-India. ...
  • DU LLB Entrance Test - India. ...
  • MH CET Entrance Exam: India.

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"

What is the average debt for law students?

The average law school graduate owes $130,000 in student loan debt. 71% of law school students graduate in debt. $119,292 is the average amount students borrow just to attend law school. $92,267 is the average amount borrowed to attend one of the top 10 law schools in terms of salary-to-debt ratio.

Is it normal to get bad grades in law school?

In law school, there is a high importance put on the grades you receive, especially those grades that you earn after your first year of school. However, law school can be difficult and highly rigorous, so it is not unusual for your grades to be less than what you had hoped for.