BUSINESS Specialization

Law

Law graduates earn $142,745 four years out. The middle 50% of earners fall between $74,367 and $296,764. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and how far you advance in the field.

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About Law

This page covers Law as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Legal Studies and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.

Law is a focused area of study within Legal Studies. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $142,745 four years out, a strong return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 212 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 35,647 students complete it each year, most walking away with a certificate. The curriculum blends analytical and applied coursework aimed at the workplace.

Median Earnings · 4yr: $142,745
Colleges Offering: 212
Graduates / Year: 35,647
Avg Net Price / yr: $28,049

How Much Do Law Graduates Earn?

Four years after finishing Law, a typical graduate earns $142,745, well above average for college graduates. Half of earners land somewhere between $74,367 and $296,764, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Source: College Scorecard.

What that figure means in practice depends on what the degree cost to get, which is a matter of lifetime earnings against total outlay.

$142,745

4-Year National Median

Well above average for college graduates.

$156,311

4-Year Institutional Median

Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.

Earnings Range

Not every Law graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out widely, so know what pushes people to one end or the other. Industry and seniority explain most of the spread. Finance, consulting, and strategy roles pull the top end up; operations and administrative roles sit at the bottom.

$74,367 25th pct.

$142,745 Median

$296,764 75th pct.

Why This Program Pays Off Fast

Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $142,745 against an estimated $112,196 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.

Based on outcomes from 4 schools. Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.

Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown

Of the 35,647 students who complete Law programs each year, the majority (100%) earn a certificate degree. The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.

100%

Certificate 100%

What Can You Do With a Law Degree?

This degree does not lock you into one job. Law graduates show up in 6 different occupations, and Lawyer pays the most at $159,670/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.

The best-paid of these is what a Lawyer earns and how fast the role is growing, though entry requirements vary across the list.

↗ +4.7% Zone 5: Extensive preparation

Lawyer

$159,670

$103K $221K 25th–75th pct.

Doctoral or professional degree 28,700 openings/yr 755K employed nationally

Speaking Active Listening Reading Comprehension Critical Thinking Writing

Day-to-day responsibilities

Represent clients in criminal and civil litigation and other legal proceedings, draw up legal documents, or manage or advise clients on legal transactions. May specialize in a single area or may practice broadly in many areas of law.

Interpret laws, rulings and regulations for individuals and businesses.
Analyze the probable outcomes of cases, using knowledge of legal precedents.
Gather evidence to formulate defense or to initiate legal actions by such means as interviewing clients and witnesses to ascertain the facts of a case.

↗ +2.8% Zone 5: Extensive preparation

Judge

$153,990

$86K $195K 25th–75th pct.

Doctoral or professional degree 800 openings/yr 24K employed nationally

Active Listening Critical Thinking Judgment and Decision Making Reading Comprehension Speaking

Day-to-day responsibilities

Arbitrate, advise, adjudicate, or administer justice in a court of law. May sentence defendant in criminal cases according to government statutes or sentencing guidelines. May determine liability of defendant in civil cases. May perform wedding ceremonies.

Sentence defendants in criminal cases, on conviction by jury, according to applicable government statutes.
Monitor proceedings to ensure that all applicable rules and procedures are followed.
Instruct juries on applicable laws, direct juries to deduce the facts from the evidence presented, and hear their verdicts.

↗ +2.6% Zone 5: Extensive preparation

Law Teachers

$128,500

$89K $176K 25th–75th pct.

Doctoral or professional degree 1,800 openings/yr 20K employed nationally

Speaking Learning Strategies Active Listening Reading Comprehension Instructing

Day-to-day responsibilities

Teach courses in law. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, papers, and oral presentations.
Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.

↗ +0.0% Zone 5: Extensive preparation

Administrative Law Judges

$117,860

$81K $160K 25th–75th pct.

Doctoral or professional degree 500 openings/yr 16K employed nationally

Active Listening Critical Thinking Reading Comprehension Writing Judgment and Decision Making

Day-to-day responsibilities

Conduct hearings to recommend or make decisions on claims concerning government programs or other government-related matters. Determine liability, sanctions, or penalties, or recommend the acceptance or rejection of claims or settlements.

Determine existence and amount of liability according to current laws, administrative and judicial precedents, and available evidence.
Monitor and direct the activities of trials and hearings to ensure that they are conducted fairly and that courts administer justice while safeguarding the legal rights of all involved parties.
Prepare written opinions and decisions.

↗ +4.7% Zone 5: Extensive preparation

Arbitrators & Mediators

$75,530

$57K $108K 25th–75th pct.

Bachelor's degree 300 openings/yr 9K employed nationally

Negotiation Active Listening Writing Speaking Reading Comprehension

Day-to-day responsibilities

Facilitate negotiation and conflict resolution through dialogue. Resolve conflicts outside of the court system by mutual consent of parties involved.

Prepare written opinions or decisions regarding cases.
Apply relevant laws, regulations, policies, or precedents to reach conclusions.
Conduct hearings to obtain information or evidence relative to disposition of claims.

↗ +2.8% Zone 5: Extensive preparation

Judicial Law Clerks

$64,920

$53K $80K 25th–75th pct.

Doctoral or professional degree 1,500 openings/yr 13K employed nationally

Reading Comprehension Active Listening Critical Thinking Writing Speaking

Day-to-day responsibilities

Assist judges in court or by conducting research or preparing legal documents.

Prepare briefs, legal memoranda, or statements of issues involved in cases, including appropriate suggestions or recommendations.
Research laws, court decisions, documents, opinions, briefs, or other information related to cases before the court.
Draft or proofread judicial opinions, decisions, or citations.

Top Colleges for Law

Not sure where to study Law? These 20 colleges graduate the most students in it each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.

Ranked by score, that list starts with the cost and outcomes at Georgetown University, and the rest follow the same measures.

#	College	Graduates	Acceptance	Net Price/yr	Earnings 10yr
1	Georgetown University Washington, DC · Nonprofit	684	12.9%	$40,815	$103,494
2	Harvard University Cambridge, MA · Nonprofit	570	3.7%	$19,066	$101,817
3	George Washington University Washington, DC · Nonprofit	550	47.1%	$36,586	$90,873
4	New York University New York, NY · Nonprofit	442	9.2%	$37,050	$82,509
5	Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NY · Nonprofit	427	4%	$21,590	$102,491
6	Fordham University Bronx, NY · Nonprofit	412	59.3%	$44,338	$85,569
7	University of Miami Coral Gables, FL · Nonprofit	391	18.9%	$37,244	$75,328
8	Suffolk University Boston, MA · Nonprofit	355	82.3%	$29,618	$67,506
9	University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA · Public	336	11%	$13,481	$92,446
10	University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA · Public	320	9%	$12,548	$82,511
11	Yeshiva University New York, NY · Nonprofit	320	55.6%	$49,965	$71,353
12	American University Washington, DC · Nonprofit	317	62%	$41,943	$77,370
13	Loyola Marymount University Los Angeles, CA · Nonprofit	313	45.1%	$48,381	$78,349
14	University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI · Public	307	15.6%	$13,138	$83,648
15	Northwestern University Evanston, IL · Nonprofit	304	7.7%	$29,167	$89,363
16	Stetson University DeLand, FL · Nonprofit	289	71.6%	$19,372	$51,642
17	University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, IL · Public	284	77.4%	$10,974	$68,740
18	University of Virginia-Main Campus Charlottesville, VA · Public	283	16.8%	$21,565	$86,863
19	The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX · Public	278	26.6%	$19,857	$75,121
20	University of Houston Houston, TX · Public	271	73.9%	$14,276	$62,377

View all colleges

Ranked by Law graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats. Read our methodology →

Plan Your Path

Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Law program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find schools that match your profile.

College ROI Calculator

See if a Law degree pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings its graduates actually see.

College Cost Calculator

Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.

Compare Colleges

Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.

College Match Quiz

Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.

Law Degree: Pros & Cons

The data on Law shows 3 measurable strengths and 1 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.

PROS

Strong median salary Graduates earn $142,745 nationally four years out, placing this field above most degree programs in the country.
Strong hiring volume Related occupations generate more than 33,600 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
High upside potential Top earners (75th percentile) in this program reach $296,764, a strong ceiling for high performers.

CONS

Advanced degree often expected Top roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.

Law Degree: Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Law graduates earn?

$142,745 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $74,367 and $296,764, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.

What jobs can you get with a Law degree?

Lawyer is one path, and it pays a median of $159,670 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.

How long does a Law program take?

One to two years of full-time study for most Law certificates, and some community colleges get you through in a single semester. That makes it one of the fastest ways into the field.

How many colleges offer Law?

212 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.

Is a Law degree worth it?

$142,745 median earnings four years out against $28,049 a year in average net price. That is a fast payback, and it holds up especially well at lower-cost schools. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific schools before deciding. Source: College Scorecard.

What is the difference between Law and Legal Studies?

Law is the narrower of the two: Legal Studies covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Law-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. Pick the specialization once you already know this is the direction you want; it gets you a more targeted credential, not a broader one.

What skills do employers look for in Law graduates?

Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Law graduates consistently look for financial analysis, communication, project management, and strategic thinking. Internship experience and proficiency in tools like Excel, SQL, or business software tend to set candidates apart. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.

Is graduate school worth it for Law graduates?

It depends on the program. An MBA or specialized master's can boost earnings and open paths into management and strategy roles, but the return is strongest at selective schools with strong recruiting pipelines, not everywhere. Weigh that against your own career goals, the program's cost, and whether your target role actually rewards the advanced credential.

What is the job outlook for Law graduates?

Outlook is slow overall: related occupations average +2.9% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Lawyer is among the strongest-growth roles at +4.7%. That average hides real differences by role and location, so check the Career Paths section below for the projection on each specific occupation before you count on any single number.