Many people are not only asking whether college is worth it anymore, they’re wondering if law school and other advanced degrees are worth the investment. With artificial intelligence (AI) and other tech advancements threatening more white-collar jobs, is it time for a new cost benefit analysis for law school?
Cost of Law School
The cost of law school continues to increase and will vary depending on your school. According to Education Data Initiative, the average total cost of a law school education was $217,480 in 2024. This price tag includes tuition and living expenses. Of course, the cost of law school assumes that you are pursuing a Juris Doctorate (J.D.).
Alternative programs exist if you want to work in the legal field without becoming an attorney, including the J.M. (Juris Master) and M.L.S. (Master of Legal Studies). These degrees cost less and take less time to complete.
Student Loans
Considering the expense of a law degree, most students need to borrow student loans to cover the costs. As a law student, you can borrow up to $50,000 per year in unsubsidized loans in the federal program. And private student loans are also an option.
Debt Loads
Debt loads among graduating law students averaged $118,500, based on Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce 2024 report. If you factor in loan debt from undergraduate studies, the average cumulative debt is $130,000.
Are lawyers in demand in 2025?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for lawyers is expected to grow at a rate of 4% between 2024 and 2034. You may find that certain fields of law, like intellectual property, data privacy, and healthcare, are expanding right now.
Law School Graduates
Every year, the National Association for Law Placement (NALP) conducts a survey of law school graduates regarding employment and salary. Using the data, they publish an annual Jobs & JDs report which includes information about median salary and equity gaps.
High Paying Jobs - How many lawyers make $200,000+?
In 2024, attorneys in the U.S. earned an average of $151,160 per year. And only 10% of lawyers made $239,200 or more. Not only will the type of law you practice determine your salary, the size of the law firm and the sector you work in (public vs. private) will have significant impact on your earnings.
At big law firms, mid-level associates can make $200,000 to $300,000, including bonuses. On the other hand, lawyers working for public interest organizations usually earn around $69,000 to $121,000 annually.
Career Paths
There are various career paths you can take following law school. And some fields of law continue to expand as certain industries undergo change. Below is a sample list of legal categories:
- Civil Rights
- Corporate Law
- Criminal Law
- Employment & Labor Law
- Intellectual Property Law
- Real Estate Law
- Tax Law
Requirements For a Law Degree
The requirements to obtain a law degree could differ from one school to the next. However, for ABA accredited law schools the requirements include:
- Completion of your four-year bachelor’s degree
- Qualifying scores on the LSAT or GRE
- Letters of recommendation
- Personal statement
Applying to Law School?
The Law School Admission Council is a great resource to help you apply to law school. Your first step is to take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). There are study programs and training courses that can help you prepare for this test.
Bachelor’s Degree Prerequisites - Undergraduate School
In addition to passing the LSAT or GRE, you’ll need to complete your bachelor’s degree from undergraduate school. However, there are no specific degree majors or standard courses you are required to complete in order to be accepted into law school.
Is law school 2 or 4 years?
For students attending law school full-time, it takes an average of 3 years to complete a Juris Doctor degree (J.D.). Some law schools offer part-time programs, while others offer an accelerated 2-year degree.
Private Law Schools
There are about 112 private law schools in the United States that are accredited by the American Bar Association. Beyond the prestige of certain names, many students prefer a private law school for the smaller class sizes and strong connections to national law firms, among other benefits.
Will AI Replace Lawyers?
While there is anxiety about the possibility of AI replacing jobs, being a lawyer requires a unique combination of knowledge and skills. According to Economy Media, professions that require a high level of empathy and moral judgment remain relatively protected. Moreover, PwC’s 2025 Global AI Jobs Barometer indicates that even in the world of professional services, there are augmentable jobs where AI can enhance or support human expertise. Legal research and document review tools are examples of how AI may enhance an attorney’s work. However, things like negotiation, courtroom strategy, empathy, and critical thinking, not to mention sheer experience, are things that AI simply cannot replicate.
So, Is Being a Lawyer Worth It?
Becoming a lawyer is ultimately a personal decision. But if you’ve researched your market based on the type of law you’re interested in, and you’ve calculated the overall costs, being an attorney can be quite rewarding. There are certain disciplines that may align well with your personal and lifestyle goals. And when you consider the number of people you may be able to serve through your expertise, there can also benefits that extend well beyond any monetary value.
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