Legal Education Data Deck by AccessLex Institute

Legal Education Data Deck KEY TRENDS ON ACCESS, AFFORDABILITY AND VALUE April 2022

Foreword The 2022 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 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 2020 J.D. Enrollment, by State.

2,501 or more VT

1,001–2,500 NY

501–1,000 ND

500 or fewer WY

No J.D. enrollment

GA PR

HI FL

Note: This map includes the 197 ABA-approved AccessLex Institute member schools reporting enrollment as of 2020. Data Source: American Bar Association, 2021a. Data presentation, analysis and commentary by AccessLex Institute.

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Table of Contents Access

Applicants, Admission and Matriculation in Law School Law School Applicants, Admits and Matriculants, 2005–2021.................................................................................................................................................... 2 Law School Admission Rates, 2005–2021................................................................................................................................................................................. 3 Application and Admission Rates by Gender, 2017–2021.......................................................................................................................................................... 4 Total J.D. Enrollment by Gender, 1983–2021............................................................................................................................................................................. 5 Racial and Ethnic Diversity of Law School Applicants, 2021........................................................................................................................................................ 6 Admission Rates by Race/Ethnicity and Overall, 2021............................................................................................................................................................... 7

Law School Enrollment Percentage of Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded to Minority Students.................................................................................................................................................. 8 and Percentage of First-Year Enrolled Minority J.D. Students, 2014–2021 Highest Level of Parent Education Among Graduate Students by Type of Program, 2015–16......................................................................................................... 9 Percentage of Students Enrolled in Graduate and Professional Programs ................................................................................................................................... 10 Who Received Pell Grants as Undergrads, 2015–2016 J.D. and Non-J.D. Enrollment, 2013–2021.............................................................................................................................................................................. 11 Percent of 1L Enrollment vs. Percent of 1L Non-Transfer Attrition, 2020–21................................................................................................................................. 12 Number of Law Schools Accounting for Half or More Law Students of Each Race/Ethnicity, 2021 ............................................................................................... 13

J.D. Degrees Awarded Share of J.D. Degrees Awarded by Race and Ethnicity, 2021.................................................................................................................................................... 14 Total J.D. Degrees Awarded and Percentage of J.D. Degrees Awarded to .................................................................................................................................. 15 Ethnic Minorities at ABA-Approved Law Schools, 2007–2021

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Table of Contents Affordability

Average Full-Time Tuition and Fees (in 2021 Dollars) by School Type and Residency, 2013–2021............................................................................................... 17 Median Grant Amount Awarded to Full-Time Students, 2013–2020…....................................................................................................................................... 18 Share of Full-Time Students Receiving Institutional Grants, 2011–2019...................................................................................................................................... 19 Trends in Awarding and Eliminating Conditional Scholarships at ABA Approved Law Schools, 2012–2019................................................................................. 20 Percentage of Law Students Who Still Owe on Undergraduate Loans, 2015–16......................................................................................................................... 21 Percentage of Law Students Who Worked While Enrolled, by Year and Institution Type, 2004–2016........................................................................................... 22 Percentage of Law Graduates Who Borrowed for Graduate Education, by Year and Institution Type, 2004–2016......................................................................... 23 Cumulative Amount Borrowed (in 2019 Dollars) by Law Students While Enrolled, by Year and Institution Type, 2004–2016.......................................................... 24 Average Amounts Borrowed by Graduate Degree Type (in 2019 Dollars), 2016........................................................................................................................ 25

Value

Occupations Requiring Graduate or Professional Degree with Largest 10-Year Projected Increase in Employment, 2019–2029...................................................... 27 Percentage of ABA-Approved Law School Graduates Passing the Bar by Attempt and Administration, 2011–2020....................................................................... 28 First-Time Bar Passage Rates for Graduates of ABA-Approved Law Schools by State, 2020......................................................................................................... 29 Change in First-Time Bar Passage Rates for Graduates of ABA-Approved Law Schools, by Exam Jurisdiction, 2019–2020............................................................ 30 Recent J.D. Graduates by Employment Status, 2009–2020....................................................................................................................................................... 31 Full-Time and Part-Time Employment of Recent J.D. Graduates, 2009–2020............................................................................................................................... 32 Recent J.D. Graduate Employment by Sector, 2009–2020......................................................................................................................................................... 33 Median Salary (in 2020 Dollars) of Recent J.D. Graduates by Sector, 2009–2020...................................................................................................................... 34 Median Salary (in 2020 Dollars) of Recent J.D. Graduates by Employment Type, 2009–2020..................................................................................................... 35

Detailed Data Sources

36 AccessLex.org vi

ACCESS

Law School Applicants, Admits and Matriculants, 2005–2021 Between 2020 and 2021, the number of applicants, admitted applicants, and matriculants increased. This marks the fourth consecutive year of increase in the number of applicants; the increase in the number of admitted applicants and matriculants is a departure from 2020’s slight decline of each.

100,000

50,000

Applicants

71,100

Admitted Applicants

48,600

42,500 Matriculants

Fall 2005

Fall 2006

Fall 2007

Fall 2008

Fall 2009

Fall 2010

Fall 2011

Fall 2012

Fall 2013

Fall 2014

Fall 2015

Data Source: Law School Admission Council, 2022. Data presentation, analysis and commentary by AccessLex Institute.

All Terms 2016

All Terms 2017

All Terms 2018

All Terms 2019

All Terms 2020

All Terms 2021

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Law School Admission Rates, 2005–2021 The overall law school admission rate decreased between 2020 and 2021, with 68 percent of applicants receiving offers of admission versus 70 percent in the previous year.

100%

78%

75%

71%

67%

68%

59%

50%

0% Fall 2005

Fall 2006

Fall 2007

Fall 2008

Fall 2009

Fall 2010

Fall 2011

Fall 2012

Fall 2013

Fall 2014

Fall 2015

Data Source: Law School Admission Council, 2022. Data presentation, analysis and commentary by AccessLex Institute.

All Terms 2016

All Terms 2017

All Terms 2018

All Terms 2019

All Terms 2020

All Terms 2021

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Application and Admission Rates by Gender, 2017–2021 Female applicants make up an increasing share of law school applicants. Admission rates for men have historically outpaced rates for women, but in 2021 women were admitted at a higher rate than the previous year, which has not occurred for either men or women since 2014. Men continued to experience a decrease in admission rates. Female

Male

56%

2021

55%

2020

54%

53%

40%

Law School Applicants by Gender

69% 72%

71% 75% 73%

2017

46%

72%

2018

45%

2017

68%

2019

44%

2018

71%

2020

43%

2019

70%

2021

42%

80%

77%

40%

80%

Law School Admission Rates by Gender

Note: Applicants by gender do not sum to 100%. Since 2014-2015, the American Bar Association has included “Other” as a gender category. The enrollment reported for this category is too small to appear in this figure. Data Source: Law School Admission Council, 2022. Data presentation, analysis and commentary by AccessLex Institute.

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Total J.D. Enrollment by Gender, 1983-2021 Prior to 2000, male and female J.D. enrollment primarily moved inversely, with male enrollment falling as female enrollment increased. After 2000 they moved in tandem, until female enrollment surpassed male enrollment for the first time in 2017. Since then, female enrollment has increased while male enrollment has declined.

100,000

74,800

70,600

72,700

75,000

Female

76,200

64,900

67,000

50,000

61,500

55,100

52,100 46,400

Male

25,000

0 1983

1985

1987

1989

1991

1993

1995

1997

1999

2001

2003

2005

2007

2009

2011

2013

2015

2017

Note: Since 2014-15, the American Bar Association has included “Other” as a gender category. The enrollment reported for this category is too small to appear in this figure. Data Source: American Bar Association, 2022a and 2022b. Data presentation, analysis and commentary by AccessLex Institute.

2019

2021

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Racial and Ethnic Diversity of Law School Applicants, 2021 The racial and ethnic composition of law school applicants has remained relatively stable in recent years. In 2021, White applicants comprised roughly half of the applicant pool, while Black, Asian, and Hispanic/Latino applicants collectively comprised approximately one-third.

70% 60% 53%

50% 40% 30% 20%

11%

10% 0%

10%

11%

9% 6%

Caucasian/White

Black/African American

Hispanic/Latino incl. Puerto Rican

Two or More

Asian

Data Source: Law School Admission Council, 2022. Data presentation, analysis and commentary by AccessLex Institute.

Not Indicated

0.4%

American Indian/ Alaska Native

0.1%

Native Hawaiian/ Other Pacific Islander

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Admission Rates by Race/Ethnicity and Overall, 2021 Admissions rates differ markedly between racial/ethnic categories with 76 percent of White applicants gaining admission compared to 48 percent of Black applicants and 56 percent of Hispanic/Latino applicants.

100%

76%

75%

71%

69%

Overall: 70%

66% 63% 56% 51%

50%

48%

25%

Caucasian/White

Not Indicated

Native Hawaiian/ Other Pacific Islander

Two or More

Asian

Data Source: Law School Admission Council, 2022. Data presentation, analysis and commentary by AccessLex Institute.

Hispanic/Latino incl. Puerto Rican

American Indian/ Alaska Native

Black/African American

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Percentage of Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded to Minority Students and Percentage of First-Year Enrolled Minority J.D. Students, 2014–2021 The increase in the proportion of underrepresented minority students among first-year law school students broadly reflects the change in the proportion among bachelor’s degree recipients over the period from 2013-14 to 2019-20.

Minority

Non-minority

Minority

Non-minority

2020–21

67%

33%

2019–20

61%

39%

2019–20

69%

31%

2018–19

62%

38%

2018–19

69%

31%

2017–18

63%

37%

2017–18

68%

32%

2016–17

64%

36%

2016–17

68%

32%

2015–16

65%

35%

2015–16

68%

32%

2014–15

67%

33%

2014–15

69%

31%

2013–14

68%

32%

25%

50%

75%

Percentage of First-Year Enrolled Minority and Non-minority Students

100%

25%

50%

75%

100%

Percentage of Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded to Racial/Ethnic Minority and Non-minority Students

Data Source: American Bar Association, 2022b. U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics, 2022. Data presentation, analysis and commentary by AccessLex Institute.

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Highest Level of Parent Education Among Graduate Students by Type of Program, 2015–2016 Recent estimates indicate that students who were the first in their families to go to college are in the minority among students enrolled in graduate programs. In 2015–2016, less than 10 percent of law students had a parent whose educational attainment was a high school diploma or less.

Some College/Associate’s/ Vocational and Technical

HS diploma or less

Medicine or Osteopathic Medicine

Law (LLB or J.D.)

13% 9%

Other Medicine

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Other Doctoral Education (Ed.D.) Master of Public Admin or Policy (MPA/MPP) 0%

10%

30%

19% 6% 17%

70%

19%

60%

26%

50%

21%

40%

21%

26%

20%

8% 9%

26%

25%

23%

22%

27%

17%

25%

27%

20%

17%

16%

23% 27%

19%

20%

23%

22%

18%

23%

26% 25%

16%

Masterʼs

24%

23%

15%

Doctoral degree— research/scholarship

Doctoral degree— professional practice

Master’s degree

27%

11%

Ph.D.

Bachelor’s degree

80%

5% 7% 3% 3%

90%

100%

Data Source: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Educational Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics, National Postsecondary Student Aid Study, NPSAS:16. Data presentation, analysis and commentary by AccessLex Institute. Master’s includes: Master of Science (MS), Master of Arts (MA), Master of Education or Teaching, Master of Social Work (MSW), Master of Fine Arts (MFA), Master of Public Health (MPH), other master’s degree Other Doctoral includes: Doctor of Science or Engineering, Doctor of Psychology (PsyD), Doctor of Business or Public Admin, Doctor of Fine Arts (DFA), Doctor of Theology (ThD), other doctor’s degree Other Medicine includes: Dentistry (DDS, DMD), Chiropractic (DC, DCM), Pharmacy (PharmD), Optometry (OD), Podiatry (DPM, DP, PodD), Veterinary Medicine (DVM)

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Percentage of Students Enrolled in Graduate and Professional Programs Who Received Pell Grants as Undergrads, 2015–2016 The proportion of students enrolled in graduate and professional programs who received Pell Grants as undergraduate students varies by discipline. In 2015–2016, over a third of law school students previously received a Pell Grant to help fund their undergraduate studies.

Master of Public Admin/Policy (MPA/MPP)

62%

Masterʼs

45%

Other Doctoral

41%

Other Medicine

40%

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

38% 36%

Law (LLB or J.D.) Education (Ed.D.)

33%

Ph.D. Medicine or Osteopathic Medicine

31% 27%

Note: 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, Institute of Educational Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics, National Postsecondary Student Aid Study, NPSAS:16. Data presentation, analysis and commentary by AccessLex Institute. Master’s includes: Master of Science (MS), Master of Arts (MA), Master of Education or Teaching, Master of Social Work (MSW), Master of Fine Arts (MFA), Master of Public Health (MPH), other master’s degree Other Doctoral includes: Doctor of Science or Engineering, Doctor of Psychology (PsyD), Doctor of Business or Public Admin, Doctor of Fine Arts (DFA), Doctor of Theology (ThD), other doctor’s degree Other Medicine includes: Dentistry (DDS, DMD), Chiropractic (DC, DCM), Pharmacy (PharmD), Optometry (OD), Podiatry (DPM, DP, PodD), Veterinary Medicine (DVM)

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J.D. and Non-J.D. Enrollment, 2013–2021 Non-J.D. students make up a greater share of law school enrollment today than observed eight years ago. The percentage of non-J.D. students has more than doubled since 2013. However, a slight decrease in the share of non-J.D. occurred in the 2021-2022 academic year.

Percent J.D. enrollment

Percent non-J.D. enrollment

2021–22

85%

15%

2020–21

84%

16%

2019–20

85%

15%

2018–19

86%

14%

2017–18

87%

13%

2016–17

89%

11%

2015–16

90%

10%

2014–15

91%

2013–14

93%

50%

Data Source: American Bar Association, 2022. Data presentation, analysis and commentary by AccessLex Institute.

100%

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Percent of 1L Enrollment vs. Percent of 1L Non-Transfer Attrition, 2020–2021 Minority students are over-represented in the group of students who withdraw between their first and second years of law school. In 2021, minority students comprised 33 percent of enrollment but made up 47 percent of withdrawals. In particular, students identifying as Hispanic/Latino, Black, American Indian or Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, are over-represented relative to their enrollment.

1L Enrollment

1L Attrition

75% 61%

50%

47%

25%

19.9% 16.7%

13.2% 8.1%

4.2% 3.5%

6.8% 5.1%

3.1% 4.1%

2.8% 1.9%

0.5% 1.0%

Two or More

Asian

Unknown

Non Resident

American Indian/ Alaska Native

0% White

Hispanic/ Latino

Black or African American

Data Source: American Bar Association, 2022a. Data Presentation, analysis and commentary by AccessLex Institute.

0.2% 0.7%

Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander

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Number of Law Schools Accounting for Half or More Law Students of Each Race/Ethnicity, 2021 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 Asian law students are enrolled at just 33 of the 197 ABA-approved law schools. Overall, this chart indicates that underrepresented minority students are concentrated within a few law schools.

75 63

50 38

33 27

21 11

Caucasion/White

Black/African American

Hispanic/Latino

Asian

Data Source: American Bar Association, 2021a. Data presentation, analysis and commentary by AccessLex Institute.

American Indian/ Alaska Native

Non-resident Alien

Native Hawaiian/ Other Pacific Islander

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Share of J.D. Degrees Awarded by Race and Ethnicity, 2021 In 2021, White students comprised nearly two-thirds of law school graduates, while Black, Asian, and Hispanic/ Latino applicants collectively comprised roughly one-quarter.

75 63%

25 12%

0 Caucasion/White Hispanic/Latino

Black/African American

Asian

Unknown Race

Non-resident Alien

Note: “Remaining” includes students who identified as American Indian or Alaskan Native and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander. Data Source: American Bar Association, 2022a. Data Presentation, analysis and commentary by AccessLex Institute.

Two or more races

Remaining Groups

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Total J.D. Degrees Awarded and Percentage of J.D. Degrees Awarded to Ethnic Minorities at ABA-Approved Law Schools, 2007–2021 The number of J.D. degrees awarded per year increased between 2006 and 2012 but began to decline in 2013. The number of J.D. degrees awarded increased between 2019 and 2020, continuing the slight increase seen between 2018 and 2019. The percentage of degrees awarded to minority students has been stable at 31 percent since 2017.

50,000 44,004

43,588

100%

46,763

46,478 44,495

44,258

43,767

90% 39,958

40,000

80%

37,173 34,991

34,513

34,233

35,723

34,401

70% 60%

30,000

50% 20,000

40%

Share of J.D.s Awarded to Minorities 31% 22%

10,000

30% 20% 10% 0%

Data Source: American Bar Association, 2022a and 2022b. Data presentation, analysis and commentary by AccessLex Institute.

02 1

20 20

–2

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 10

–2

01 1

01 0 –2 09 20

08 20

–2

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AFFORDABILITY

Average Full-Time Tuition and Fees (in 2021 Dollars) by School Type and Residency, 2013–2021 Average tuition and fees for full-time students dropped substantially. Average private school tuition and fees dropped to an amount not seen since 2016. Public resident tuition and fees dropped to approximate 2014 levels, and non-resident tuition and fees for public law schools fell below 2013 levels.

$60,000 Private $49,120

$40,000

$20,000

$50,770

$43,130

Public Non-Resident

$40,860

$27,940

Public Resident

$28,480

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

Note: Figures shown are inflation adjusted using the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers (CPI-U) from July of the year indicated. Data Source: American Bar Association, 2022a and 2022b. Data presentation, including conversion to real dollars, analysis and commentary by AccessLex Institute.

2021

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Median Grant Amount Awarded to Full-Time Students, 2013–2020 The median grant amount awarded to full-time students receiving aid increased by more than 50 percent between 2011 to 2019. In 2013, the median amount law schools awarded to at least half their grant recipients was $15,800. By 2020 that amount increased to $22,100.

$25,000 Adjusted 2021 Dollars $21,300

$20,000

$18,200 Unadjusted

$19,000

$15,800

$15,000

$22,100

$21,012

$16,000 $13,500

$10,000

$5,000

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

Note: The median value displayed here is the median of all school level median grant amounts. Data Source: American Bar Association, 2022a. Data presentation, including conversion to real dollars, analysis and commentary by AccessLex Institute.

2019

2020

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Share of Full-Time Students Receiving Institutional Grants, 2011–2019 The share of full-time students who received any grant amount increased from roughly half in 2011 to over three-quarters in 2019. Similarly, the proportion of students who received a grant totaling at least half their tuition and fees increased 16 percentage points over the same period. Combined with the increase in median grant amounts shown on the previous page, these changes indicate schools are providing greater tuition discounting to students.

Any grant

Greater than full tuition

Full tuition

At least half tuition

Less than half tuition

100% 90% 80%

69%

70% 60%

78%

73%

60% 52%

50% 40%

40%

39%

30% 20% 10%

40%

38%

35%

29%

27%

23% 16%

13%

6% 3%

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

Data Source: American Bar Association, 2020a. Data presentation, analysis and commentary by AccessLex Institute.

2016

2017

2018

2019

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Trends in Awarding and Eliminating Conditional Scholarships at ABA Approved Law Schools, 2012–2019 From 2012 to 2019, the share of schools awarding conditional scholarships decreased from 61 percent to 41 percent, with bulk of that change occurring between 2014 and 2015. During the same period, the proportion of all entering law students who received conditional scholarships remained stable, at or near 25 percent. Of the students who received conditional scholarships, a smaller proportion’s awards were eliminated in 2019 compared to previous years.

100%

80%

61%

60% Share of Schools Awarding

40%

41%

31% Share of Awards Eliminated

20%

28%

26% Share of First Year Class Receiving

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

Data Source: American Bar Association, 2021a. Data presentation, analysis and commentary by AccessLex Institute.

2017

2018

22%

2019

AccessLex.org 20

Percentage of Law Students Who Still Owe on Undergraduate Loans, 2015–2016 Nearly half of enrolled law school students are carrying undergraduate debt. In 2015–2016, the median amount of debt still owed among those with outstanding undergraduate loans was $25,500.

Percentage of law students who still owe on undergraduate loans

Percentage of law students who do not owe on undergraduate loans

45%

55%

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, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics, 2016 National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS). Data presentation, including conversion to real dollars, analysis and commentary by AccessLex Institute.

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Percentage of Law Students Who Worked While Enrolled, by Year and Institution Type, 2004–2016 More than half of enrolled law students reported earnings from off-campus employment at both public and private, nonprofit schools. Their median hourly earnings were $15 in 2015–2016.

All Institution types

Public

Private nonprofit

100% 90% 80% 70% 60%

58%

56%

55%

57%

50% 40% 30%

55%

56%

55%

59%

55%

58%

57%

20% 10% 0%

2004

2008

2012

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

2016

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Percentage of Law Graduates Who Borrowed for Graduate Education, by Year and Institution Type, 2004–2016 A majority of law graduates use loans to fund their graduate education. However, the proportion of graduates who borrowed declined by 17 percentage points between 2012 and 2016.

All Institution types

Public

Private nonprofit

100%

92%

87%

90%

88%

80% 71%

70% 60% 50% 40%

89%

83%

95%

91%

89%

88% 71%

66%

30% 20% 10% 0% 2004

2008

2012

Data Source: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Educational Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), National Postsecondary Student Aid Study, NPSAS:04, NPSAS:08, NPSAS:12 and NPSAS:16. Data presentation, analysis and commentary by AccessLex Institute.

2016

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Cumulative Amount Borrowed (in 2020 Dollars) by Law Students While Enrolled, by Year and Institution Type, 2004–2016 As the percentage of law graduates who borrowed declined, the average cumulative amount of graduate debt also decreased between 2012 and 2016.

All Institution types

Public

Private nonprofit

160,000

$148,500 $137,700

140,000 120,000 100,000

$112,200 $96,500

$108,300

$113,000

$132,400

$126,200

$94,700

80,000 $64,400

$67,200

60,000 40,000 20,000 0% 2004

2008

2012

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, Institute of Educational Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), National Postsecondary Student Aid Study, NPSAS:04, NPSAS:08, NPSAS:12 and NPSAS:16. Data presentation, including conversion to real dollars, analysis and commentary by AccessLex Institute.

2016

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Average Amounts Borrowed by Graduate Degree Type (in 2020 Dollars), 2016 Compared to other 2016 graduate degree recipients, law graduates borrowed, on average, less for their undergraduate education, but more for their graduate education. The average amount law students borrowed for undergraduate education was $2,300 less than the overall average of $26,900 (8.5 percent). However, the amount law students borrowed for graduate school exceeded all other graduate and professional degree recipients except medical students. For Undergraduate

For Graduate

For Graduate and Undergraduate

$250,000 $221,800

$200,000 $173,400

$150,000

$139,800 $114,900

$100,000 $61,100

$60,000

$50,000

$87,500

$86,000

$28,700

$27,800

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Masterʼs

$61,600 $27,900

$17,500

Master or Public Admin or Policy

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

$22,100

Doctor or Philosophy (Ph.D.)

$27,900

$24,800

$31,000 $20,400

Other Doctoral Law (LLB or J.D.) Other Medicine

Medicine or Osteopathic Medicine

AccessLex.org 25

VALUE

Occupations Requiring Graduate or Professional Degree with Largest Projected Increase in Employment, 2019–2029 The latest occupational outlook from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects lawyer positions will have the third largest increase in openings among positions requiring a graduate or professional degree.

Health specialties teachers post secondary

52,100

47,000

Physical therapists Lawyers

32,300

Physicians, all other and ophthalmologists, except pediatric

18,500

Veterinarians

14,200

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

Data Source: U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2020, September. Data presentation, analysis and commentary by AccessLex Institute.

60,000

AccessLex.org 27

Percentage of ABA-Approved Law School Graduates Passing the Bar by Attempt and Administration, 2011–2020 Bar passage rate declines have been most pronounced for February takers in recent years, whose first-time pass rate fell 16 percentage points from 2011 to 2020 and whose repeat pass rate decreased 19 percentage points over the same period. Meanwhile, July first-time takers’ bar passage rates fluctuated between 83 percent and 74 percent, rising to 82 percent in 2020. Similarly, July repeat takers’ pass rates increased to 40 percent. However, COVID-19 pandemic disruptions may have affected the number of bar exam attempts and bar passage rates in 2020.

100% 90%

83%

82%

80% 70% 60%

July, First-Time

74% 78% 66%

52%

50%

62%

43%

40%

40% 30%

33%

February, First-Time

33%

30%

July, Repeat February, Repeat

20% 10% 0% 2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

Data Source: National Conference of Bar Examiners, 2011–2020. Data presentation, analysis and commentary by AccessLex Institute. Note: The 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.

2019

2020

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First-Time Bar Passage Rates for Graduates of ABA-Approved Law Schools by State, 2020 In 2020, 79 percent of all f irst-time exam takers f rom ABA-approved law schools passed the bar. However, bar passage rates vary among jurisdictions, generally falling between 60 and 85 percent. 84%

78% 78% 86%

78%

74%

77% 78%

78% 71% NV

77% AZ

86%

79% MS

60% LA

75% DC

84%

80%

87% 75%

84%

89%

69% or less

DE*

84%

71%

77%

81%

85%

81%

70%–74%

60%

80%

81%

85%

80%

82%

84%

80%

70%

79%

84%

87%

78%

82%

71%

75%–79%

75%

84%

76%

80%

80% or more

73%

80%

76% GA

35% 69% 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, 2020. Data presentation, analysis and commentary by AccessLex Institute.

*Delaware canceled both February and July bar exams in 2020.

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Change in First-Time Bar Passage Rates for Graduates of ABA-Approved Law Schools, by Exam Jurisdiction, 2019–2020 Between 2019 and 2020, a majority of states reported increases in first-time bar passage rates among graduates of ABA-approved law schools. Of the 15 jurisdictions where pass rates declined, only four reported decreases greater than five percentage points. 29%

14% AK

15% 2%

4% -8%

9% 0% NV

3% AZ

11%

0% MS

-14% LA

0–5% 6%–10%

11%–15%

-1%

3% -2%

11%

No change

DE*

15%

-1%

12%

-5% – 0

-2%

-12%

-1%

-3%

-5%

-10% – -6%

-15% – -11%

16%–20%

-2%

-6%

-2% GA

1% -1% FL

Data Source: National Conference of Bar Examiners, 2019 and 2020. Data presentation, analysis and commentary by AccessLex Institute.

*Delaware canceled both February and July bar exams in 2020.

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Recent J.D. Graduates by Employment Status, 2009–2020 The percentage and count of recent law graduates who obtained employment in jobs requiring bar passage fell slightly in 2020 after increasing for four consecutive years. Likewise, the percentage of unemployed graduates increased for the first time since 2012.

Bar passage required

J.D. advantage

Unemployed-seeking

All others

50,000 44,339

45,000 40,000 35,000 30,000

40,833

41,156

41,623

14%

15%

12%

10%

11%

13%

12% 11% 13%

44,637 11% 11% 14%

42,139 9% 10% 15%

38,627 9% 10% 14%

25,000

35,815

33,966

33,510

33,007

33,235

7% 6%

7% 8%

15%

12%

11%

10%

9% 9%

20,000 15,000

71%

68%

65%

2010

2011

64%

66%

67%

68%

72%

73%

76%

75%

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

10,000 5,000 0

2009

2012

2013

Data Source: National Association for Law Placement, 2021. Data Presentation, analysis and commentary by AccessLex Institute.

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Full-Time and Part-Time Employment of Recent J.D. Graduates, 2009–2020 In 2020, the percentage of recent graduates employed in part-time positions increased for the first time since 2011. According to the NALP, this may be one of several employment-trends affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Full-time

Part-time

40,000 35,000

37,424 35,002

34,902

37,693

35,278

36,519 33,449 31,336

30,000

30,092

29,947

29,802

95%

96%

95%

29,364

25,000 20,000

90%

89%

88%

90%

92%

93%

94%

15,000 10,000 5,000 0

10%

11%

12%

10%

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

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 9 months post-graduation to 10 months post-graduation. Use caution when interpreting data and when comparing from year to year. Data Source: National Association for Law Placement, 2021. Data Presentation, analysis and commentary by AccessLex Institute.

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Recent J.D. Graduate Employment by Sector, 2009–2020 The total number of graduates and therefore number of employed graduates decreased since 2013. During this period, the composition of employment by sector has remained relatively stable. Two notable changes since 2013 are the increase in the proportion of graduates working in private practice and the decrease in the percentage of graduates working in business.

Private practice

Business

40,000 35,000 30,000

36,046

36,043

35,653

9% 11%

25,000 13%

20,000

Government

37,538

37,730

12% 13% 15%

12%

12% 18%

Judicial clerk

Public interest

18%

Unknown type

36,530 7% 9% 12%

33,469 7% 10%

31,354 7% 11%

12% 18%

Academic

18% 17%

12% 16%

30,104

29,953

29,804

29,382

11%

12%

11%

12%

13%

12%

14%

13%

11%

15,000 10,000

56%

51%

50%

51%

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

51%

53%

54%

55%

57%

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

5,000 0

2009

AccessLex.org 33

Median Salary (in 2020 Dollars) of Recent J.D. Graduates by Sector, 2009–2020 The median reported salary for Class of 2020 graduates working in private practice was $130,000, down from a high point of $154,700 for the class of 2009 but continuing to increase from a low of $96,900 for the class of 2011. Other sectors show smaller fluctuations but have been relatively stable throughout this period.

$170,000

$150,000

Private Practice, $130,000

$130,000

$110,000

$90,000

Business, $80,000 Median, $75,000

$70,000

Government, $64,000 Judicial Clerk, $60,000 Public Interest, $55,000 Academic $55,000

$50,000

$30,000 2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

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Median Salary (in 2020 Dollars) of Recent J.D. Graduates by Employment Type, 2009–2020 The overall median salary for 2020 graduates was lower than the median for the class of 2009. However, median salaries have been trending upward for almost all employment categories in recent years.

$100,000

Bar Passage Required, $75,000

$80,000

Median, $75,000 Other Professional, $74,000 J.D. Advantage, $67,000

$60,000

Non-Professional, $44,381

$40,000

$20,000

$0 2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

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Detailed Data Sources American Bar Association. (2022a). Compilation – All Schools Data. Section of Legal Education – ABA Required Disclosures

National Association for Law Placement. (2021). Recent Graduates. Retrieved from https://www.nalp.org/recentgraduates

Retrieved from http://www.abarequireddisclosures.org/

American Bar Association. (2022b). Statistics. Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar. Retrieved from https://www.americanbar.org/groups/legal_education/resources/statistics.html

Law School Admission Council. (2022). Data Library. Retrieved from https://www.lsac.org/data-research/data

National Conference of Bar Examiners. 2011–2020 Statistics. The Bar Examiner. Retrieved from https://thebarexaminer.org/statistics/

U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics, Digest of Education Statistics 2020, Table 322.20. Retrieved from https://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d19/tables/dt19_322.20.asp?current=yes

U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics, 2004:2016 National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS). Retrieved from https://nces.ed.gov/datalab

U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2020, September). Projections of Occupational Employment, 2019–2029. Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/emp/data/occupational-data.htm

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AccessLex.org