94% Employment Rate
Consistently high placement in large law firms and federal clerkships. Strong alumni networks provide significant career advantages.
89% Employment Rate
Strong regional presence with good job placement. Mix of large firm, mid-size firm, and government positions.
78% Employment Rate
Focus on local and regional markets. Often provide excellent value proposition with lower costs.
Schools with ROI scores above 85
Schools with ROI scores 70-85
Exceptional value for cost
Tuition, fees, living expenses, and total debt burden
Job placement rates and employment quality metrics
First-time and ultimate bar exam success rates
| Rank | Law School | ROI Score | Employment Rate | Median Debt | Starting Salary | Bar Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Georgia | 92.5 | 91% | $85,000 | $120,000 | 94% |
| 2 | Brigham Young University | 91.2 | 82% | $65,000 | $95,000 | 89% |
| 3 | University of Iowa | 88.7 | 86% | $95,000 | $125,000 | 91% |
| 4 | Cornell University | 87.3 | 96% | $165,000 | $205,000 | 96% |
| 5 | University of Alabama | 86.9 | 88% | $78,000 | $115,000 | 88% |
| 6 | University of Florida | 85.4 | 90% | $92,000 | $135,000 | 85% |
| 7 | Texas A&M University | 84.8 | 94% | $88,000 | $130,000 | 90% |
| 8 | University of Utah | 83.6 | 88% | $85,000 | $105,000 | 94% |
| 9 | University of Houston | 82.9 | 89% | $98,000 | $140,000 | 86% |
| 10 | Arizona State University | 82.1 | 89% | $105,000 | $125,000 | 83% |
| 11 | University of Virginia | 81.7 | 95% | $175,000 | $215,000 | 95% |
| 12 | University of North Carolina | 81.2 | 91% | $95,000 | $135,000 | 87% |
| 13 | University of Michigan | 80.9 | 94% | $185,000 | $210,000 | 93% |
| 14 | Washington University in St. Louis | 80.4 | 95% | $165,000 | $200,000 | 92% |
| 15 | Boston University | 79.8 | 86% | $155,000 | $185,000 | 89% |
| 16 | University of Minnesota | 79.3 | 90% | $125,000 | $145,000 | 85% |
| 17 | University of Wisconsin | 78.7 | 89% | $110,000 | $125,000 | 88% |
| 18 | University of Illinois | 78.5 | 94% | $145,000 | $170,000 | 90% |
| 19 | Ohio State University | 78.3 | 86% | $115,000 | $130,000 | 84% |
| 20 | University of Colorado | 78.2 | 87% | $125,000 | $120,000 | 82% |
Full-time, long-term legal positions requiring bar passage. Weighted by firm size and federal clerkship placement.
Percentage of graduates securing qualifying legal employment within 10 months of graduation.
Total cost of attendance adjusted for regional cost of living variations.
First-time bar passage rates and ultimate bar passage success within two years.
Employment outcomes, bar passage rates, and required disclosures from all 194 ABA-approved law schools
Salary distribution data and employment classification standards
Student debt levels, cost of attendance, and graduate earnings data
Independent analysis and cost projections for prospective students
Many regional schools offer exceptional ROI with strong local employment networks and lower costs.
Include living expenses, opportunity cost, and debt service when evaluating true investment requirements.
T14 schools excel for BigLaw placement, while regional schools often lead for local government and public interest roles.
Legal employment has reached highest levels in over a decade, with continued growth expected in emerging practice areas.
Law schools are offering more merit-based aid, reducing effective costs for qualified applicants.
Schools emphasizing practical skills training show improved employment outcomes and graduate satisfaction.
Investigate employment outcomes, bar passage rates, and alumni networks for your target schools.
Connect with current students, recent graduates, and practitioners in your areas of interest.
Develop a comprehensive financial plan including scholarship applications and debt management strategies.