KEY TRENDS ON ACCESS, AFFORDABILITY AND VALUE

Legal Education Data Deck

iii

ForewordAccessLex Institute offers this 2017 Legal Education Data Deck for the use of the legal education community, policy-makers, and others interested in viewing a snapshot of certain data and trends organized around the three driving principles of AccessLex Institute’s research agenda: access, affordability and value. This is a living document that will be updated periodically—AccessLex Institute welcomes comments, criticisms and suggestions so that this document will be a useful tool to those whom we serve.

In compiling this data deck, we have utilized publicly available datasets from third parties, including but not limited to the Law School Admission Council, the National Conference of Bar Examiners, the National Association for Law Placement and the American Bar Association Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar. 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.

iv

About AccessLex InstituteAccessLex InstituteSM, 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 ExcellenceSM 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 CapabilitySM 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 with offices in West Chester, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C. and field offices throughout the U.S.

v

Law Schools in the United States

Note: This map includes only the 199 AccessLex Institute member schools as of 2016.Data Source: American Bar Association, 2017a. Data presentation, analysis and commentary by AccessLex Institute.

Fall 2016 J.D. Enrollment at AccessLex Institute Member Law Schools, by State

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LA

MN

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KY

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MI

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vi

Table of Contents

ACCESS 1Applicants, Admission and Matriculation in Law School

Law School Applicants, Admits and Matriculants, 2004–2016 .........................................................................................2

Law School Admission Rates, 2004–2016 ...................................................................................................................3

Law School Applicants and Admission Rates by Gender, Fall 2012–Fall 2015 and All Terms 2016 ........................................4

Total J.D. Enrollment by Gender, 1980–2016 ..................................................................................................................5

Racial/Ethnic Diversity of Law School Applicants, Fall 2012–Fall 2015 and All Terms 2016 ..................................................6

Admission Rates by Race/Ethnicity and Overall, Fall 2012–Fall 2015 and All Terms 2016 ....................................................7

Law School EnrollmentPercentage of Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded to Minority Students and Percentage of First-Year Enrolled Minority J.D. Students ...............................................................................................................8

Full-Time and Part-Time Minority J.D. Enrollment, 2009–2016 .........................................................................................9

Highest Level of Parent Education Among Graduate Students by Type of Program, 2011–2012 .........................................10

Percentage of Students Enrolled in Graduate and Professional Programs Who Received Pell Grants as Undergraduate Students, 2011–2012 ................................................................................................................. 11

2007–2008 Bachelor’s Degree Recipients Who Completed Graduate Degrees by 2012, by Family Income in 2006 and Graduate Program Area ............................................................................................................................12

J.D. and Non-J.D. Enrollment, 2005–2016 .................................................................................................................13

J.D. Degrees AwardedTotal J.D. Degrees Awarded at ABA-Approved Law Schools, 2003–2016 ........................................................................14

Percentage of J.D. Degrees Awarded to Ethnic Minorities, 1983–2016 .............................................................................15

vii

AFFORDABILITY 16Average Full-Time Tuition and Fees (in 2015 dollars) by School Type and Residency, 2011–2015 .......................................17

Percentage of Law Students Who Still Owe on Undergraduate Loans, 2011–2012 .............................................................18

Percentage of Law Students Who Worked While Enrolled, by Year and Institution Type ....................................................19

Median Annual Earnings of Law Students While Enrolled, by Year and Institution Type ....................................................20

VALUE 21Occupations Requiring Graduate or Professional Degree With Most Projected Job Openings, 2014–2024 ........................22

Percentage of ABA-Approved Law School Graduates Passing the Bar on the First Try, by Month of Test Administration, 2008–2016....... .......................................................................................................................23

First-Time Bar Passage Rates for Graduates of ABA-Approved Law Schools by State, 2016 ..............................................24

Change in First-Time Bar Passage Rates for Graduates of ABA-Approved Law Schools, by State, From 2015 to 2016 .........25

Recent J.D. Graduates by Employment Status, 2007–2015 ...........................................................................................26

Full-Time and Part-Time Employment of Recent J.D. Graduates, 2007–2015 ....................................................................27

Recent J.D. Graduate Employment by Sector, 2007–2015 ............................................................................................28

Median Salary (in 2015 dollars) of Recent J.D. Graduates by Sector, 2007–2015 ..........................................................29

Median Salary (in 2015 dollars) of Recent J.D. Graduates by Employment Type, 2007–2015..........................................30

1992–1993 Bachelor’s Degree Recipients Who Earned a Graduate Degree by 2003, by Whether or Not They Believe Graduate Education Was Worth the Cost ...............................................................31

2007–2008 Bachelor’s Degree Recipients Who Earned a Graduate Degree by 2012, by Whether or Not They Believe Graduate Education Was Worth the Cost .............................................................32

Detailed Data Sources........................................................................................................................................................................ 33

Table of Contents (Continued)

1

ACCESS

2

> The number of applicants and admitted applicants grew only slightly between Fall 2015 and 2016, when all terms were included in the counts.

Source: Law School Admission Council, 2016a, 2016b, 2016c, 2016d, 2017a and 2017b. American Bar Association, 2015b and 2017.

0

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

70,000

80,000

90,000

100,000

110,000100,600

95,800

88,70084,000 83,400 86,600

87,900

78,500

67,900

59,40055,700 54,500

56,50055,900 56,100 56,000 55,500 55,50058,400 60,400

55,80050,600

45,700 43,500 42,300 42,80045,400 45,800 46,100 46,700 46,500 48,900 49,70045,600

41,40037,940 37,900 37,100

37,106

Fall 2004 Fall 2005 Fall 2006 Fall 2007 Fall 2008 Fall 2009 Fall 2010 Fall 2011 Fall 2012 Fall 2013 Fall 2014 Fall 2015 All Terms 2016

Matriculants

ApplicantsAdmitted applicants

Law School Applicants, Admits and Matriculants, 2004–2016

3

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Fall 2004 Fall 2005 Fall 2006 Fall 2007 Fall 2008 Fall 2009 Fall 2010 Fall 2011 Fall 2012 Fall 2013 Fall 2014 Fall 2015 All Terms 2016

78%

76%56%

Percentage of applicants who were admitted

> Over three-quarters of law school applicants were admitted in 2016. The percentage of admitted applicants dropped only slightly from Fall 2015 to 2016—two percentage points—when all terms were taken into account.

Source: Law School Admission Council, 2016a, 2016b, 2016c, 2016d, 2017a and 2017b. Data presentation, analysis and commentary by AccessLex Institute.

Law School Admission Rates, 2004—2016

4

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Fall 2012 Fall 2013 Fall 2014 Fall 2015 All Terms 2016

51% 49% 50% 49% 50% 50% 49% 51%47%

52%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Fall 2012 Fall 2013 Fall 2014 Fall 2015 All Terms 2016

80%

73%

80%74%

80%76% 79% 76% 78%

74%

Male Female

Female All Terms 2016Male All Terms 2016

> Fall data trends have consistently shown increasing numbers of female applicants but male admission rates outpacing those of females. Data from all terms in 2016 indicate similar trends with wider gender gaps in both applicants and admission rates.

Data Source: Law School Admission Council, 2016b, 2016d, 2017a and 2017b. Data presentation, analysis and commentary by AccessLex Institute.

Law School Applicants by Gender, Fall 2012–Fall 2015 and All Terms 2016

Law School Admission Rates by Gender, Fall 2012–Fall 2015 and All Terms 2016

5

1980

–198

119

82–1

983

1984–

1985

1986–

1987

1988–

1989

1990–

1991

1992–

1993

1994–

1995

1996–

1997

1998–

1999

2000

–200

120

02–2

003

2004

–200

520

06–2

007

2008

–200

920

10–2

01120

12–20

1320

14–2

01520

15–2

016

0

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

70,000

80,000

90,000

Male Female

Total J.D. Enrollment by Gender, 1980—2016

> Prior to the 2000s, male and female J.D. enrollment moved inversely, with male enrollment falling as female enrollment increased. Over the last decade, they have moved in tandem.

Note: Since 2014–2015, the American Bar Association has included “other” as a gender category. The enrollment reported for this category in 2014–2015 is too small to appear in this figure.Data Source: American Bar Association, 2014a, 2015c, 2015d and 2016b. Data presentation, analysis and commentary by AccessLex Institute.

6

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

63% 64% 62% 62% 61%

15%14% 14% 15% 15%10% 11% 11% 12% 13%

10% 10% 11% 10% 10%

3% 3% 3% 3% 3% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2%0.4% 0.5% 0.5% .05% 0.4%

Caucasian/White

Black/African American

Hispanic/Latino Asian Puerto Rican American Indian/Alaska Native

Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander

Fall 2012 Fall 2013 Fall 2014 Fall 2015 All Terms 2016

> The proportion of law school applicants who identify as ethnic minorities increased slightly between Fall 2012 and Fall 2015. Not all ethnic groups experienced increases. Inclusion of All Terms 2016 does not appear to change distribution.

Racial/Ethnic Diversity of Law School Applicants, Fall 2012–Fall 2015 and All Terms 2016

Note: Applicants who identify as more than one race/ethnicity are reported in each.Data Source: Law School Admission Council, 2016c and 2017b.

7

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Perc

ent o

f app

lican

ts w

ho w

ere

adm

itted

CaucasianWhite

Black/AfricanAmerican

Hispanic/Latino

Asian Puerto RicanAmerican Indian/Alaska Native

Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander

75% 78%

Overall admission rate

Fall 2012 Fall 2013 Fall 2014 Fall 2015 All Terms 2016

83%

74%

66% 67%62%

58%

52%

84%

76%73% 72% 71%

61%

55%

85%

76%

71% 72%

63%68%

57%

85%

76%

68%71%

69% 70%

56%

83%

75%71%

68%

72%

68%

54%

77% 78%76%

> Admission rates for American Indian/Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander increased while those for all other race/ethnicity categories fell when data for All Terms was used for 2016. The largest drop was for Hispanic/Latino applicants.

Note: Applicants who identify as more than one race/ethnicity are reported in each. Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander excluded because number of applicants is too small to report.Data Source: Law School Admission Council, 2016a, 2016c and 2017a. Data presentation, analysis and commentary by AccessLex Institute.

Admission Rates by Race/Ethnicity and Overall, 2012–2015 and All Terms 2016

8

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Percentage of Bachelor’s DegreesAwarded to Minorities

Percentage of First-Year Enrolled MinorityJ.D. Students

28% 29% 30% 31% 32%26% 28% 29% 32% 32%

2010–2011 2011–2012 2012–2013 2013–2014 2014–2015 2015–2016

> The increase in the proportion of first-year law school students who are minorities mirrors the change in the proportion among bachelor’s degree recipients over the past 5 years.

Data Source: American Bar Association, 2015d and 2016b; U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics, 2015 and 2016. Data presentation, analysis and commentary by AccessLex Institute.

Percentage of Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded to Minority Students and Percentage of First-Year Enrolled Minority J.D. Students

9

Full-time Part-time

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

2009

23%28%

2010

24%

29%

2011

25%

31%

2012

27%32%

2013

28%34%

2014

29%

37%

2015

29%

39%

2016

30%

38%

> Minority students make up a greater percentage of part-time than full-time J.D. students, comprising 38 percent of part-time law students in 2016.

Data Source: American Bar Association, 2014b, 2014c and 2015a. Data presentation, analysis and commentary by AccessLex Institute.

Full-Time and Part-Time Minority J.D. Enrollment, 2009–2016

10

Doctoral Degree—research/scholarship

HS diploma or below

Associates/Certificate/Some College

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree or equivalent

Doctoral Degree—professional practice

100%

90%

80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

Other Doctoral Degrees

Master of Education or Teaching

Other Masters

Master of Arts (M.A.)

Master of Science (M.S.)

Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.)

Other Medical/Health

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Other professional practice doctoral degree

Law (LL.B. or J.

D.)

Medicine or Osteopathic Medicine

9%

18%

14%

24%

29%

6%6%

20%

24%

22%

26%

6%

20%

21%

19%

27%

7%

8%

19%

21%

24%

23%

6%3%

6%

17%

24%

24%

22%

7%5%

20%

26%

21%

24%

5%

7%

19%

28%

24%

19%

4%

11%

21%

27%

22%

15%

4%

10%

25%

22%

17%

16%

9%

9%

21%

27%

22%

10%

11%

21%

26%

23%

14%

9%

7%

24%

22%

23%

13%

9%

8%

Highest Level of Parent Education Among Graduate Students by Type of Program, 2011—2012

> 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 2011—2012, about 9 percent of law students had a parent whose educational attainment was a high school diploma or less.

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

11

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

19% 24% 24%28% 29% 32% 33%

35% 36% 37% 38% 41% 41%47% 54%

Ph.D.

Medicin

e

Public

Health (

M.P.H.)

Law (L

L.B. o

r J.D.

)

Other D

octora

l

Fine A

rts (M.F.A

.)

Educat

ion (Ed

.D.)

Master o

f Arts

(M.A.)

Busine

ss (M.B.A

.)

Other M

edical

Other M

aster’s

Master o

f Scien

ce (M.S.)

Public

Admin/

Policy

(M.P.A./M

.P.P.)

Master’s

Educa

tion/Te

aching

Social

Work (M

.S.W.)

> The proportion of students enrolled in graduate and professional programs who received Pell Grants as undergraduate students varies by discipline. In 2011—2012, fewer than 25 percent of law school students previously received a Pell Grant to help fund their undergraduate studies.

Note: National Postsecondary Student Aid Study is administered every 4 years. Data presented are the most recent available.Data Source: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics, National Postsecondary Student Aid Study, NPSAS:12a. Data presentation, analysis and commentary by AccessLex Institute.

Percentage of Students Enrolled in Graduate and Professional Programs Who Received Pell Grants as Undergraduate Students, 2011–2012

12

100%

90%

80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%

All programs

  Public administra

tion/social services

Psychology

Business, management and marketing

  Education

  Biological and biomedical sciences

  Health professions and related sciences

  Legal profess

ions and stu

dies

  Engineering

All U.S. households*

27%

26%

26%

21%

26%

19%

34%

21%

35%

32%

23%

10%

23%

23%

26%

28%

25%

24%

32%

19%

28%

27%

20%

25%

32%

24%

24%

20%

35%

31%

14%

20%

40%

20%

14%

26%

14%

28%

44%

14%

$130,000 or more

$90,000 to$130,000

$50,001 to $90,000

$50,000or less

> Compared to the overall U.S. population, few 2007–2008 bachelor’s degree recipients who completed graduate degrees by 2012 came from lower income families. In particular, a high percentage of law school graduates come from high-income families. Of those who completed graduate degrees in legal education by 2012, two-thirds came from families earning $90,000 or more.

*Estimated income distribution among all U.S. households. Calculated using those households reporting positive income on 2006 American Community Survey.Data Source: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics, Baccalaureate and Beyond Longitudinal Study,B&B:08/12a; U.S. Census, 2006. Data presentation, analysis and commentary by AccessLex Institute.

2007–2008 Bachelor’s Degree Recipients Who Completed Graduate Degrees by 2012, by Family Income in 2006 and Graduate Program Area

13

> Non-J.D. students make up a greater share of law school enrollment than 10 years ago. The percentage of non-J.D. students has increased from 6 percent to 10 percent since 2005.

J.D. and Non-J.D. Enrollment, 2005–2016

100%

90%

80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%

Percent J.D. enrollment Percent non-J.D.

2005–2006 2006–2007 2008–2009 2009–2010 2010–2011 2011–2012 2012–2013 2013–2014 2014–2015 2015–2016

94%

6%

95%

5%

94%

6%

94%

6%

93%

7%

93%

7%

92%

8%

91%

9%

91%

9%

90%

10%

Data Source: American Bar Association, 2014a, 2015c, 2015d and 2016b. Data presentation, analysis and commentary by AccessLex Institute.

14

> The number of J.D. degrees awarded per year increased overall between 2003 and 2013, then began to decline in 2014. In 2016, about 37,000 J.D. degrees were awarded.

Data Source: American Bar Association, 2014e, 2015a and 2017a. Data presentation, analysis and commentary by AccessLex Institute.

Total J.D. Degrees Awarded at ABA-Approved Law Schools, 2003–2016

2003–2004 2004–2005 2005–2006 2006–2007 2007–2008 2008–2009 2009–2010 2010–2011 2011–2012 2012–2013 2013–2014 2014–2015 2015–20160

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

40,01842,673 43,883 43,518 43,588 44,004 44,258 44,495

46,478 46,76343,767

39,958

37,172

15

8.6%

29.1%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

1983–

1984

1985–

1986

1986–

1987

1987–

1988

1988–

1989

1989–

1990

1990

–199

119

91–19

9219

92–1

993

1993

–199

419

94–1

995

1995

–199

619

96–1

997

1997

–199

819

98–1

999

1999

–200

020

00–2

001

2001

–200

220

02–2

003

2003

–200

420

04–2

005

2005

–200

620

06–2

007

2007

–200

820

08–2

009

2009

–2010

2010

–2011

2011–

2012

2012

–2013

2013

–2014

2014

–2015

2015

–2016

> The proportion of law degrees awarded to racial and ethnic minorities has increased over the last 30 years. In 1983–1984, almost 8.6 percent of law degrees were awarded to racial and ethnic minorities; in 2015–2016, that figure has grown to 29.1 percent.

Data Source: American Bar Association, 2014e, 2015a and 2017a. Data presentation, analysis and commentary by AccessLex Institute.

Percentage of J.D. Degrees Awarded to Ethnic Minorities, 1983–2016

16

AFFORDABILITY

17

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015$0

$5,000

$10,000

$15,000

$20,000

$25,000

$30,000

$35,000

$40,000

$45,000

$50,000

$41,451

$36,827

$23,851

$43,749

$38,718

$25,656

Private

Public non-resident

Public resident

> Average tuition and fees for full-time students have increased across all sectors during the last 5 years. Since 2011, average full-time resident tuition and fees at public law schools have increased 8 percent; private law school tuition and fees have increased 6 percent; and public non-resident tuition and fees have increased 5 percent.

Note: Data presented are most recent as of September 2016. Figures shown are inflation adjusted using the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers (CPI-U) from July of the year indicated, with 1982–1984 as the base years. The following schools did not report data in the given year, and are excluded from the average tuition and fees calculation indicated: Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico (2015 public non-resident); University of Puerto Rico (2015 public non-resident); and Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School (2014 private).Data Source: American Bar Association, 2016a. Data presentation, analysis and commentary by AccessLex Institute.

Average Full-Time Tuition and Fees (in 2015 dollars) by School Type and Residency, 2011–2015

18

Percentage of law students whodo not owe on undergraduate loans

Median amountowed: $18,000

Percentage of law students whostill owe on undergraduate loans

55% 45%

> Nearly half of enrolled law school students are carrying undergraduate debt. In 2011–2012, the median amount of debt still owed among those with outstanding undergraduate loans was $18,000.

Note: NPSAS is administered every 4 years. Data presented are the most recent available. Data Source: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics, National Postsecondary Student Aid Study, NPSAS:12a. Data presentation, analysis and commentary by AccessLex Institute.

Percentage of Law Students Who Still Owe on Undergraduate Loans, 2011–2012

19

2004 2008 2012

100%

90%

80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%

55% 55% 55% 56% 55% 56%58%

55%59%

All Institution Types Public Private nonprofit

> More than half of enrolled law students reported annual earnings from off-campus employment, regardless of institution type.

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

Percentage of Law Students Who Worked While Enrolled, by Year and Institution Type

20

$10,000

$9,000

$8,000

$7,000

$6,000

$5,000

$4,000

$3,000

$2,000

$1,000

02004 2008 2012

$7,000

$5,000

$7,000 $6,700

$5,500

$8,000 $8,000

$5,800

$9,000

All Institution Types Public Private nonprofit

> While more than half of law students reported working, median annual earnings were fairly modest.

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

Median Annual Earnings of Law Students While Enrolled, by Year and Institution Type

21

VALUE

22

43,800

51,700

71,800

14,000

22,500

113,800

93,500

56,500

69,800

57,200

157,700

145,100

128,300

83,800

79,700

Education administrators, elementaryand secondary school

Lawyers

From growth

Physicians and surgeons, all others

Physical therapists

Educational, guidance, school and vocational counselors

From replacement

> The latest occupational outlook from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects lawyer positions will have the most job openings among positions requiring a graduate or professional degree.

Note: Detail may not sum to totals due to rounding. Job openings from growth represent projections for job creation. Job openings from replacement are projected based on expected retirement and other employment departures.Data Source: U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2015, December.

Occupations Requiring Graduate or Professional Degree With Most Projected Job Openings, 2014–2024

23

> Overall first-time bar passage rates for graduates of ABA-approved law schools were higher in July than in February during the period from 2008 to 2016, but the gap has narrowed. July pass rates were 10 percentage points higher in 2008, and 8 percentage points higher in 2016.

Data Source: National Conference of Bar Examiners, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017. Data presentation, analysis and commentary by AccessLex Institute

Percentage of ABA-Approved Law School Graduates Passing the Bar on the First Try, by Month of Test Administration, 2008–2016

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

77%

87%

73%

85%

76%

83%78%

83%

73%

81%

74%

82%

74%78%

69%75%

66%

74%

February July

24

> In 2016, 73 percent of all first-time exam takers from ABA-approved law schools passed the bar. However, the proportion of these exam takers passing varies from state to state.

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, 2017. Data presentation, analysis and commentary by AccessLex Institute.

First-Time Bar Passage Rates for Graduates of ABA-Approved Law Schools by State, 2016

DCMDDENJCTRIMANHVT

AZ AR

CO

GA

ID

IL

IA

KS

LA

MN

MO

MT

NV

ND

OH

OK

PA

SC

SD

UTWV

WY

TN

FL

VA

AL

CAIN

KY

ME

MI

MS

NE

NM

NY

OR

TX

WA

WI

NC

AK

HI

PR

80% or more 75%–79% 70%–74% 69% or less

25

DCMDDENJCTRIMANHVT

AZ AR

CO

GA

ID

IL

IA

KS

LA

MN

MO

MT

NV

ND

OH

OK

PA

SC

SD

UTWV

WY

TN

FL

VA

AL

CAIN

KY

ME

MI

MS

NE

NM

NY

OR

TX

WA

WI

NC

AK

HI

PR

Decrease No Change Increase

Data Source: National Conference of Bar Examiners, 2016 and 2017. Data presentation, analysis and commentary by AccessLex Institute.

Change in First-Time Bar Passage Rates for Graduates of ABA-Approved Law Schools, by State, From 2015 to 2016

> Between 2015 and 2016, a majority of states saw decreases in first-time bar passage rates among graduates of ABA-approved law schools.

26

> The majority of law school graduates obtain employment requiring bar passage, although the percentage has decreased since 2007. During the same period, the proportion of law school graduates obtaining a position where the J.D. is an advantage (but not required) increased. The proportion of law school graduates who are unemployed but seeking work increased from 6 percent in 2010 to 10 percent in 2011, and has remained fairly constant since then.

Note: These data are based on law school graduates whose employment status was reported to the National Association for Law Placement (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, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. Data presentation, analysis and commentary by AccessLex Institute.

Recent J.D. Graduates by Employment Status, 2007–2015

Bar passage required J.D. advantage Unemployed-seeking All others

100%

90%

80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

77%

8%4%11%

75%

8%5%12%

71%

9%6%

14%

68%

11%6%

15%

65%

13%

10%

12%

64%

13%

11%

12%

64%

14%

11%

11%

66%

15%

10%

9%

67%

14%

10%

9%

27

> The percentage of employed law school graduates in part-time positions has decreased from the high of 12 percent in 2011.

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, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. Data presentation, analysis and commentary by AccessLex Institute.

Full-Time and Part-Time Employment of Recent J.D. Graduates, 2007–2015

100%

90%

80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

5% 6% 10% 11% 12% 10% 8% 7% 7%

Full-timePart-time

28

> The distribution of employed recent J.D. graduates has remained fairly stable since 2011, with the majority of graduates working in private practice.

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, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. Data presentation, analysis and commentary by AccessLex Institute.

Recent J.D. Graduate Employment by Sector, 2007–2015

100%

90%

80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%

Private practice Business Government Judicial clerk Public interest Academic Unknown type

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

56%

14%

12%

10%

6%

56%

13%

12%

10%

5%

56%

13%

11%

9%

6%

51%

15%

13%

9%

7%

50%

18%

12%

9%

8%

51%

18%

12%

9%

7%

51%

18%

12%

9%

7%

51%

18%

12%

9%

7%

51%

17%

12%

10%

7%

29

> The median salary for a recent J.D. graduate working in private practice was $100,000 in 2015, down from the high point of $144,000 in 2009, but continuing to increase from the low of $90,000 in 2011. Other sectors show smaller fluctuations.

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. Figures shown are inflation adjusted using the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers (CPI-U) from July of the year indicated, with 1982–1984 as the base years.Data Source: National Association for Law Placement, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. Data presentation, analysis and commentary by AccessLex Institute.

Median Salary (in 2015 dollars) of Recent J.D. Graduates by Sector, 2007–2015

$160,000

$140,000

$120,000

$100,000

$80,000

$60,000

$40,000

$20,000

$0

Academic

Business

Public interest

Judicial clerkPrivate practice

MedianUnknown

Government

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

30

> Regardless of the type of employment, the median salary of recent J.D. graduates is less in 2015 than it was in 2007.

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. Figures shown are inflation adjusted using the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers (CPI-U) from July of the year indicated, with 1982–1984 as the base years.Data Source: National Association for Law Placement, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. Data presentation, analysis and commentary by AccessLex Institute.

Median Salary (in 2015 dollars) of Recent J.D. Graduates by Employment Type, 2007–2015

J.D. advantageBar passage required MedianNon-professionalOther professional

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015$0

$10,000

$20,000

$30,000

$40,000

$50,000

$60,000

$70,000

$80,000

$90,000

31

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Any graduate degree

Law

Arts and humanities

Medicine/health

Social and behavioral sciences

Education

Business and management

Life and physical sciences

Engineering/math/computer science

Graduate education not worth its cost Yes, graduate education worth its cost

12%

17%

17%

17%

12%

11%

9%

6%

6%

88%

83%

83%

83%

88%

89%

90%

94%

94%

> When surveyed 10 years after graduation, most 1992–1993 bachelor’s degree recipients who had since earned a graduate degree agreed that their graduate education was worth the cost, regardless of program type. Over 80 percent of law-related degree recipients felt their education was worth the money.

Note: Data are shown by major/field of study as reported by the survey respondent and include all graduate degree types (i.e., master’s, professional, doctoral). Therefore, “law” includes J.D. recipients, but could also include Master of Legal Studies and similar recipients.Data Source: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics, Baccalaureate and Beyond Longitudinal StudyB&B:93/03. Data presentation, analysis and commentary by AccessLex Institute.

1992—1993 Bachelor’s Degree Recipients Who Earned a Graduate Degree by 2003, by Whether or Not They Believe Graduate Education Was Worth the Cost

32

Any graduate degree

Legal professions and studies

Public administration/social services

Psychology

Education

Health professions and related sciences

Business, management and marketing

Computer and information sciences

Communication and journalism

Biological and biomedical sciences

Engineering

Mathematics and statistics

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Graduate education not worth its cost Yes, graduate education worth its cost

28%

48%

35%

31%

29%

22%

21%

21%

20%

16%

9%

6%

72%

52%

65%

69%

71%

78%

79%

79%

80%

84%

91%

94%

> The perspectives of more recent graduate degree recipients are noticeably different. When surveyed 4 years later, 52 percent of 2007–2008 bachelor’s degree recipients who had since earned a graduate degree in legal professions and studies felt their education was worth the cost. 

Note: Data are shown by major/field of study as reported by the survey respondent and include all graduate degree types (i.e., master’s, professional, doctoral). Therefore, “Legal professions and studies” includes J.D. recipients, but could also include Master of Legal Studies and similar recipients.Data Source: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics, Baccalaureate and Beyond Longitudinal Study,B&B:08/12b. Data presentation, analysis and commentary by AccessLex Institute.

2007–2008 Bachelor’s Degree Recipients Who Earned a Graduate Degree by 2012, by Whether or Not They Believe Graduate Education Was Worth the Cost

33

Detailed Data SourcesAmerican Bar Association. (2014a). 2014 Fall Enrollment Statistics. The Challenges of Leadership: 2013–2014 Annual Report, 11. Retrieved from http://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/publications/misc/legal_education/2013_2014_annual_report.authcheckdam.pdf.

American Bar Association. (2014b). ABA-approved law school FT total enrollment by gender and ethnicity data [Data file]. Retrieved from http://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/administrative/legal_education_and_admissions_to_the_bar/statistics/2009_2013_ft_total_jd_enrollment_gender_ethnicity.xlsx.

American Bar Association. (2014c). ABA-approved law school PT total enrollment by gender and ethnicity data [Data file]. Retrieved from http://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/administrative/legal_education_and_admissions_to_the_bar/statistics/2009_2013_pt_total_jd_enrollment_gender_ethnicity.xlsx.

American Bar Association. (2014e). Minority degrees awarded: Fall 2013 [Data file]. Retrieved from http://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/administrative/legal_education_and_admissions_to_the_bar/statistics/2013_jd_degrees_minority.xls.

American Bar Association. (2015a). 2014 J.D. Enrollment and Ethnicity (academic year) [Data file]. Retrieved from http://abarequireddisclosures.org/.

American Bar Association. (2015b). Comparison of 2015 and 2014 1L Matriculants [Data file]. Retrieved from http://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/administrative/legal_education_and_admissions_to_the_bar/governancedocuments/2015_2014_1l_matriculant_comparison.xlsx.

American Bar Association. (2015c). Enrollment and degrees awarded 1963–2012 academic years [Data file]. Retrieved from http://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/administrative/legal_education_and_admissions_to_the_bar/statistics/enrollment_degrees_awarded.authcheckdam.pdf.

American Bar Association. (2015d). Fall Enrollment Statistics. 2014–5 Annual Report: The Year in Perspective, 15. Retrieved from http://www.americanbar.org/groups/legal_education/publications.html.

American Bar Association. (2016a). 2011–2015 Tuition and Fees and Living Expenses [Data file]. Retrieved from http://abarequireddisclosures.org/.

American Bar Association. (2016b). Fall Enrollment Statistics. 2015–16 Annual Report: The Year in Review. Retrieved from http://www.americanbar.org/groups/legal_education/publications.html.

American Bar Association. (2017a). 2016 J.D. Enrollment and Ethnicity (academic year) [Data file]. Retrieved from http://www.abarequireddisclosures.org/.

American Bar Association. (2017b). J.D. matriculant data, fall 2016 [Data file]. Retrieved from http://www.americanbar.org/groups/legal_education/resources/statistics.html.

Law School Admission Council. (2016a). Admitted applicants by ethnic and gender group. Retrieved from http://www.lsac.org/lsacresources/data/ethnic-gender-admits.

Law School Admission Council. (2016b). Admitted applicants by ethnic and gender group (archive). Retrieved from http://www.lsac.org/lsacresources/data/ethnic-gender-admits/archive.

Law School Admission Council. (2016c). Applicants by ethnic and gender group. Retrieved from http://www.lsac.org/lsacresources/data/ethnic-gender-applicants.

Law School Admission Council. (2016d). Applicants by ethnic and gender group (archive). Retrieved from http://www.lsac.org/lsacresources/data/ethnic-gender-applicants/archive.

Law School Admission Council. (2017a). Admitted applicants by ethnicity & sex. Retrieved from http://www.lsac.org/lsacresources/data/ethnic-sex-admits.

Law School Admission Council. (2017b). Applicants by ethnicity & sex. Retrieved from http://www.lsac.org/lsacresources/data/ethnic-sex-applicants.

National Association for Law Placement. (2008). Class of 2007 national summary report [Data file]. Retrieved from http://www.nalp.org/uploads/1229_natlsummary07revised.pdf.

34

National Association for Law Placement. (2009). Class of 2008 national summary report [Data file]. Retrieved from http://www.nalp.org/uploads/natlsummary2008.pdf.

National Association for Law Placement. (2010). Class of 2009 national summary report [Data file]. Retrieved from http://www.nalp.org/uploads/NatlSummaryChartClassof09.pdf.

National Association for Law Placement. (2011). Class of 2010 national summary report [Data file]. Retrieved from http://www.nalp.org/uploads/NationalSummaryChartforSchools2010.pdf.

National Association for Law Placement. (2012). Class of 2011 national summary report [Data file]. Retrieved from http://www.nalp.org/uploads/NatlSummChart_Classof2011.pdf.

National Association for Law Placement. (2013). Class of 2012 national summary report [Data file]. Retrieved from http://www.nalp.org/uploads/NationalSummaryChart2012.pdf.

National Association for Law Placement. (2014). Class of 2013 national summary report [Data file]. Retrieved from http://www.nalp.org/uploads/NatlSummaryChartClassof2013.pdf.

National Association for Law Placement. (2015). Class of 2014 national summary report [Data file]. Retrieved from http://www.nalp.org/uploads/NationalSummaryChartforSchools2014Class.pdf.

National Association for Law Placement. (2016). Class of 2015 national summary report [Data file]. Retrieved from http://www.nalp.org/uploads/NatlSummaryClassof2015.pdf.

National Conference of Bar Examiners. (2008). 2007 Statistics. The Bar Examiner, 77(2): 16–19. Retrieved from http://www.ncbex.org/pdfviewer/?file=%2Fdmsdocument%2F154.

National Conference of Bar Examiners. (2009). 2008 Statistics. The Bar Examiner, 78(2): 16–19. Retrieved from http://www.ncbex.org/pdfviewer/?file=%2Fdmsdocument%2F155.

Detailed Data Sources (Continued)

National Conference of Bar Examiners. (2010). 2009 Statistics. The Bar Examiner, 79(1): 16–19. Retrieved from http://www.ncbex.org/pdfviewer/?file=%2Fdmsdocument%2F152.

National Conference of Bar Examiners. (2011). 2010 Statistics. The Bar Examiner, 80(1): 16–19. Retrieved from http://www.ncbex.org/pdfviewer/?file=%2Fdmsdocument%2F156.

National Conference of Bar Examiners. (2012). 2011 Statistics. The Bar Examiner, 81(1): 16–19. Retrieved from http://www.ncbex.org/assets/media_files/Bar-Examiner/articles/2012/2011Statistics.pdf.

National Conference of Bar Examiners. (2013). 2012 Statistics. The Bar Examiner, 82(1): 16–19. Retrieved from http://www.ncbex.org/assets/media_files/Bar-Examiner/articles/2013/8201132012statistics.pdf.

National Conference of Bar Examiners. (2014). 2013 Statistics. The Bar Examiner, 83(1): 16–19. Retrieved from http://www.ncbex.org/dmsdocument/144.

National Conference of Bar Examiners. (2015). 2014 Statistics. The Bar Examiner, 84(1): 18–21. Retrieved from http://www.ncbex.org/dmsdocument/164.

National Conference of Bar Examiners. (2016). 2015 Statistics. The Bar Examiner, 85(1): 14-49. Retrieved from http://www.ncbex.org/assets/media_files/Bar-Examiner/articles/2016/BE-March2016-2015Statistics.pdf.

National Conference of Bar Examiners. (2017). 2016 Statistics. The Bar Examiner, 86(1): 14-28. Retrieved from http://www.ncbex.org/pdfviewer/?file=%2Fdmsdocument%2F205.

U.S. Census Bureau. (2006). 2006 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates. Household Income, National [Data]. Retrieved [2/12/2016] from www.ipums.org.

U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics, 1993/2003 Baccalaureate and Beyond Longitudinal Study (B&B:93/03), Computation by NCES PowerStats on 8/31/2015.

35

Detailed Data Sources (Continued)

U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics, 2003–04 National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS:04), Computation by NCES PowerStats on 8/18/2015.

U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics, 2007–08 National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS:08), Computation by NCES PowerStats on 8/18/2015.

U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics, 2008/12 Baccalaureate and Beyond Longitudinal Study (B&B:08/12a), Computation by NCES PowerStats on 8/18/2015.

U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics, 2008/12 Baccalaureate and Beyond Longitudinal Study (B&B:08/12b), Computation by NCES PowerStats on 8/31/2015.

U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics, 2011–12 National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS:12a), Computation by NCES PowerStats on 2/3/2015.

U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics, 2011–12 National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS:12b), Computation by NCES PowerStats on 8/20/2015.

U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics. (2015). IPEDS Data Center Complete Data Files. 2014 Completions [Data file]. Retrieved from https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/datacenter/DataFiles.aspx.

U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics. (2016). Digest of Education Statistics, Table 322.20. Retrieved from https://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d16/tables/dt16_322.20.asp?current=yes.

U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2015, December). Projections of occupational employment, 2014–24. Retrieved from http://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/projections-occupation.htm.

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