The 2023 Graduate Job Outcomes Report
The 2023 Graduate Job Outcomes report offers a comprehensive overview of employment trends among graduates of U.S. law schools, focusing on their long-term, full-time legal employment status. This valuable data sheds light on the job market for recent graduates, reflecting the current landscape and providing critical insights into the success of law schools in preparing students for their legal careers.
Description of the Report
The data provided is aggregated at both national and school-specific levels, enabling analysis of employment outcomes across various institutions. Key metrics include:
- Long-term, Full-time Legal Jobs (LT, FT Legal): Represents the percentage of graduates who secured jobs in the legal field on a full-time, permanent basis.
- JD Advantage Jobs: Jobs that require a JD but not necessarily bar passage.
- Underemployment: Includes graduates working part-time, in short-term positions, pursuing further education, or unemployed and seeking employment.
- Biglaw Employment: Employment in law firms with more than 100 attorneys.
- Federal Clerkships: Positions in federal judicial chambers.
- School-Funded Jobs: Employment funded by the law school itself.
How This Data Helps the Legal Market
- Career Planning and Decision-Making: Prospective law students and current undergraduates can use this data to make more informed decisions about which law schools to attend, considering job placement rates and types of employment secured.
- School Accountability and Improvement: Law schools can assess their performance in training students for successful employment, identifying areas for improvement, and enhancing job placement strategies.
- Economic and Workforce Trends: Employers, policymakers, and stakeholders in the legal industry can use this report to better understand the job market, including trends in law school employment, shifts toward public service jobs, and the increasing need for legal roles in private practices and large law firms.
- Support for Law School Graduates: Graduates can utilize this data to evaluate their position in the competitive job market and focus on areas that may need strategic enhancement, such as pursuing additional qualifications or seeking internships in specialized areas of law.
2023 National Overview
- Total ABA Graduates: 35,215
- Long-term, Full-time Legal Jobs: 79.3% (27,933 graduates)
- Underemployment: 10.5%
- Unknown Employment Status: 0.8%
Key Statistics by Employment Category
| Employment Type | Percentage of Graduates | Total Number of Graduates |
|---|---|---|
| LT, FT Legal | 79.3% | 27,933 |
| LT, FT JD Advantage | 6.3% | 2,227 |
| Biglaw (>100 Attorneys) | 25.1% | 8,833 |
| Federal Clerkships | 3.4% | 1,183 |
| School-Funded Jobs | 1.1% | 403 |
School-Specific Outcomes
The report includes school-specific data, illustrating the employment outcomes of graduates from various law schools. This allows for a granular comparison of how each institution contributes to the overall success of its graduates in securing meaningful legal employment.
LT, FT Legal Jobs
| Percentage Range | Number of Schools |
|---|---|
| < 30% | 2 schools |
| 30% - 39.9% | 2 schools |
| 40% - 49.9% | 2 schools |
| 50% - 59.9% | 8 schools |
| 60% - 74.9% | 49 schools |
| 75% - 89.9% | 113 schools |
| ≥ 90% | 19 schools |
Biglaw Placement
| Percentage Range | Number of Schools |
|---|---|
| < 5% | 34 schools |
| 5% - 9.9% | 37 schools |
| 10% - 19.9% | 59 schools |
| 20% - 29.9% | 26 schools |
| 30% - 39.9% | 12 schools |
| 40% - 49.9% | 7 schools |
| 50% - 59.9% | 8 schools |
| ≥ 60% | 12 schools |
School-Specific Outcomes
| School Name | Legal Jobs (LT, FT) | Under-Employed (%) | Biglaw (%) | Public Service (%) | Fed Clerks (%) | LSF (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany Law School | 89.1% | 6.1% | 10.3% | 35.2% | 0% | 0% |
| American University | 79.2% | 10.2% | 16.6% | 29.1%* | 2.2% | 0.6% |
| Appalachian School of Law | 64.8% | 5.6% | 3.7% | 25.9% | 0% | 0% |
| Arizona State University | 81.5% | 8.1% | 16.6% | 21.2% | 2.7% | 0% |
| Ave Maria School of Law | 67.3% | 7.1% | 10.2% | 22.4%* | 0% | 1% |
| Barry University | 61.1% | 25.9% | 4.3% | 22.7% | 0% | 0% |
| Baylor University | 94.9% | 2.2% | 19.6% | 15.2% | 5.8% | 0% |
| Belmont University | 84.5% | 8.2% | 11.8% | 11.8% | 0% | 0% |
| Boston College | 93.4% | 2.5% | 58.4% | 15.2%* | 2.9% | 1.2% |
| Boston University | 88.9% | 1.6% | 56% | 15.6%* | 3.3% | 2.9% |
| Brigham Young University | 83.8% | 3.6% | 22.5% | 16.2%* | 9% | 2.7% |
| Brooklyn Law School | 81.7% | 11.7% | 27.3% | 21.8% | 1.6% | 0.5% |
| California Western School of Law | 50.8% | 18.2% | 5.5% | 17.7% | 0% | 0% |
| Campbell University | 76.9% | 12.9% | 5.4% | 22.4%* | 0.7% | 1.4% |
| Capital University | 69% | 17.1% | 10.1% | 18.6% | 0% | 0% |
| Cardozo-Yeshiva University | 84% | 9.4% | 28% | 18.2%* | 0.6% | 0.3% |
| Case Western Reserve University | 73.7% | 9.3% | 21.2% | 19.5%* | 2.5% | 3.4% |
| Catholic University of America | 72.5% | 6.4% | 14.7% | 25.7%* | 2.8% | 1.8% |
| Chapman University | 83.2% | 6.3% | 9.8% | 9.8% | 2.1% | 0% |
Conclusion
The 2023 Graduate Job Outcomes report is an essential tool for prospective law students, educational institutions, and employers to understand the current job market and tailor their strategies accordingly. This data not only reflects the strengths and challenges within legal education but also helps shape the future of legal career planning.
